A new report from Monash University is calling for stronger national coordination to prepare Australia for the commercialisation of quantum technologies, highlighting the need for workforce development, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term investment in skills.
The Quantum Future Workforce report draws on ethnographic interviews, documentary research, and a co-design workshop involving quantum researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry representatives.
Led by researchers from Monash University’s Emerging Technologies Research Lab—an initiative of the Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) and the Faculty of Information Technology—in collaboration with Quantum Australia, the study explores how quantum technologies could reshape critical sectors and what Australia needs to become “quantum-ready.”
Research explores Australia’s quantum future
The research highlights how quantum technologies could transform critical sectors through applications such as wearable health monitoring using quantum sensing, quantum-resistant cybersecurity, secure communications networks, low-energy quantum materials, and infrastructure supporting transport, utilities, and smart city systems.
As global investment in quantum technologies continues to grow, the report argues Australia must strengthen its workforce, industry capability, and cross-sector partnerships to translate research into real-world economic and societal outcomes.
Recommendations for workforce development
The report sets out 12 recommendations to help Australia build a sustainable quantum ecosystem. These include developing a multidisciplinary workforce, improving public awareness of quantum technologies, supporting commercialisation and start-ups, strengthening advanced manufacturing capability, engaging policymakers, and fostering greater collaboration across industry, government, education, and research.
Lead author and human-centred design expert Associate Professor Leah Heiss said the project brought together stakeholders from across Australia’s emerging quantum ecosystem to explore future workforce and societal needs collectively.
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“The workshop brought researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and industry representatives into the same room to work through possible quantum futures together,” Associate Professor Heiss said.
She said participants were encouraged to look beyond the technology itself and consider the broader social and industrial systems required to support future quantum applications, including healthcare, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and communications.
The report found that this approach helped identify collaboration challenges and workforce gaps that may not emerge through traditional technology planning processes, particularly around cross-sector alignment and long-term capability building.
Experts highlight the need for cross-sector collaboration
Co-author and Emerging Technologies Research Lab Director Professor Sarah Pink said the research highlights the growing need for professionals who can bridge scientific, technical, and practical expertise.
“Our research shows the future quantum workforce will not be confined to traditional scientific or technical roles,” Pink said.
She said future quantum capability will depend on professionals who can translate between fields, collaborate across sectors, and connect technical innovation with practical application.
Co-author Dr. Debora Lanzeni, a digital and design anthropology researcher at the Emerging Technologies Research Lab, said the findings also reinforce the importance of creating more flexible education and training pathways.
“One of the strongest findings was that the future quantum workforce will extend well beyond specialist physicists or software developers,” Lanzeni said.
The report recommends more flexible education and training pathways, including short courses, professional conversion programs, and cross-sector upskilling opportunities, alongside earlier engagement with schools and universities to develop foundational quantum literacy and help build long-term workforce capability.
Quantum Australia Partnership Development Manager Adrian Gertler said collaboration between researchers, government, industry, and education would be critical to preparing Australia’s workforce for the opportunities presented by quantum technologies.
“Quantum Australia plays a key role in leading the conversation on how quantum technologies will transform our society. This transition will have profound workforce implications, and ensuring that government, industry, and education systems are aligned and prepared is paramount,” Gertler said.
Collaborating with Monash University on the Quantum Futures workshop delivered real value and contributed directly to this objective.
Research to explore quantum’s role in Australia’s energy future
Looking ahead, the research team will undertake a new project on Quantum Energy Futures with the Monash Energy Institute, in collaboration with Quantum Australia, to examine how quantum technologies could support a more resilient energy system.
The research was supported by funding from the Monash Art, Design and Architecture Industry Seed Funding program.
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