Emerging science-based industries

Changing technology is an increasingly important driver of the world's economy. Embracing these changes will support Queensland in growing, diversifying and building industries into the future. Technological advances, our existing research capabilities and changes in local, national and international markets, present opportunities for new industries and knowledge-intensification of existing industries. To harness these opportunities for their economic, environmental and social benefits for Queensland, there are current gaps that need to be addressed.

The Department commissioned CSIRO’s Data61 to prepare two reports to inform Queensland Government action to support emerging science-based industries:

To find out more about our work to support emerging science-based industries, or to get involved, contact QLDScience@des.qld.gov.au

A New Chapter report

A New Chapter will help inform strategic decisions around support for science capability and science-driven industry development and attraction in Queensland in the post-COVID-19 era.

The report draws on both qualitative and quantitative research to provide key insights into how industry policy and science strategy can be developed to assist in the recovery of the Queensland economy and drive employment post COVID-19.

It identifies a set of nine emerging, knowledge-driven seed industries as having potential for strong, sustained jobs growth.

Nine emerging knowledge-driven seed industries

  • Additive biomanufacturing: Using additive manufacturing processes for medical applications to provide highly customised body parts, scaffolds or medical devices.
  • AI-enabled healthcare: Leveraging growing capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and electronic medical records to improve health outcomes and system efficiencies.
  • Green metal manufacturing: Creating new value in the manufacturing and mining sectors by taking advantage of the state’s abundant clean energy and mineral resources.
  • Resource recovery technologies: Transforming existing waste streams into higher-value products, diverting waste from landfill, and reducing demand on virgin materials.
  • Microalgal and macroalgal resources: Contributing to solving significant global food, water and emissions challenges by using natural resources and local expertise to grow algae.
  • Agricultural sensors and automation: Applying robotics, sensors, and other automation technologies to boost the productivity and global competitiveness of the agriculture sector.
  • Supply chain provenance technologies: Building trust and increasing the value of exports by using technologies to improve the traceability, transparency and authenticity of supply chains.
  • Disaster resilience and response technologies: Translating existing capabilities in robotics, autonomous systems and data analytics to improve preparedness and resilience to disasters.
  • Construction technologies: Reducing safety risks in the construction sector by using assistive technologies and maximising off-site automated processing.

New Smarts report

The New Smarts report includes:

  1. Phases of new industry emergence and factors helping or hindering growth.
  2. Case studies of Queensland and international knowledge clusters.
  3. Eight emerging knowledge-intensive industries identified for Queensland (see below).
  4. Implications for future policy to support these emerging industries:

Eight emerging knowledge intensive industries

  • Sustainable energy
  • Advanced materials and precision engineering
  • Cyber-physical security
  • Next generation aerospace and space technologies
  • Smart mining, exploration and extraction
  • Advanced agriculture
  • Personalised and preventative healthcare
  • Circular commodities.

Case studies

Find out more about some Queensland businesses working across the nine emerging knowledge-based industry sectors in the A New Chapter showcase report (PDF, 1.3MB) .