News

The Global Business & Talent Attraction Taskforce invites you to an exclusive discussion on Growing Australia’s Semiconductor Future.
 
We will also elaborate on the Global Talent Visa Program (GTVP) and how the Taskforce can facilitate access to the visa offerings for exceptional talent.
 
To participate, email info@globalaustralia.gov.au by Tuesday, 31 May 2022 and we will send you further details and a link to the webinar.

A startup co-founded by University of Melbourne researchers has developed a world-first device that helps severely paralysed people operate digital devices with their mind. Synchron will now roll out clinical trials of its Stentrode brain implant device, which could potentially treat other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. A team of medical and bioengineering specialists – many from Melbourne – has been involved in developing the groundbreaking technology.

Japanese-owned beverage giant Frucor Suntory has announced plans to build a A$400 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near Ipswich in Queensland. The company says it wants the new plant to “set a benchmark for investment in sustainable technologies to drive efficiency and minimise our carbon footprint”. Due for completion in 2024, the facility will be able to produce up to 20 million cases of drinks annually.

Robotic technology in the form of automated sprayers is proving instrumental in helping Australian farmers improve efficiencies, cut costs and reduce chemical useage. The custom-made robotic spray rigs are being used to control weeds, using special cameras that identify unwanted plants and then trigger a mechanism to spray them. Farmers in Queensland’s Western Downs report savings of up to 90 per cent on chemicals alone.

An advanced manufacturing company that designs and produces cutting-edge equipment to protect critical assets from corrosion has been awarded the first grant under the Northern Territory Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund. Tech startup Corrosion Instruments will receive A$110,000 in co-investment from the fund, which has been set up to grow the capability and competitiveness of NT manufacturers through the implementation of new technologies.

University students around Australia will have the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges with industry and research experts, as part of the CSIRO’s new and innovative Next Generation Graduates programs. More than 75 businesses and universities are partnering with CSIRO to co-fund the first round of 165 scholarships for honours, masters and PhD students in emerging technology fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum. 

A small Brisbane-based game studio, Witch Beam, has taken out two prestigious BAFTA awards for its simple but innovative digital game called Unpacking. Based on the real-life experience of moving house by two of the game’s creators, Unpacking won Game of the Year and Best Narrative at the recent BAFTA Game Awards in London – beating juggernauts like Marvel and Sony in the process.

Tariffs will be eliminated on more than 85 per cent of Australian goods exports to India in a new trade deal signed with India on 2nd April 2022.  The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA) will also benefit Australian households and businesses, with 96 per cent of Indian goods imports entering Australia duty-free on entry.

In a boost to Australia’s STEM and IT workforces, the length of stay for an Indian Student with a bachelor’s degree with first class honours will be extended from two to three years post study in the Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.

The announcement builds on Australia’s $280 million investment to further grow our economic relationship and support jobs and businesses in both Australia and India.

Australia’s first fully integrated rare earths refinery will be built in Western Australia, following a A$1.25 billion partnership deal between the Australian Government and mining company Iluka Resources. Expected to be operational in 2026, the Eneabba Rare Earths Refinery will produce separated rare earth oxide products that are used in a wide range of technologies, including electric vehicles, clean energy generation, telecommunications and defence.

Join Dr Jenifer Luman, emergency physician at Sunshine Coast University Hospital Health System, as she shares her experience of moving Down Under at an exclusive webinar on Tuesday, 12 April at 7 pm: Australia as a destination for women in STEM.

Dr Luman will be joined by other eminent Australian women in STEM: Dr Catherine Ball, Associate Professor at the ANU School of Engineering; Professor Asha Rao, founding chair of Women in Maths and Associate Dean (Mathematical Sciences) at RMIT; and Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea, CEO of Women in STEMM Australia.

The Taskforce’s Stephanie Chu will discuss attracting women in STEM to Australia through the Global Talent Visa Program.

This event is open to women with significant achievements in STEM.

The one-hour interactive webinar is on Tuesday April 12 at 7pm via Zoom. To attend, email info@globalaustralia.gov.au by Monday 11 April and you’ll be sent the webinar link and more information.

The 2022-23 Budget contains significant initiatives to further support Australia’s future-facing industries, technologies and skills. Read our Budget Special for an overview of this year’s Budget highlights.

Aussie social media star Linktree has more than quadrupled its value to $US1.3 billion after a large cash injection.

Linktree provides a homebase for content created across multiple platforms by celebrities, artists and businesses. It has secured $US110 million in new funding and will use the cash to focus on expansion, recruitment and revenue streams.

The company counts TikTok and Selena Gomez among its 24 million users.