All issues of Pulse published in 2026, please scroll down for links to content.
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Union preparations for upcoming pay negotiations continue to build, with Staff Association members undertaking a series of bargaining claim endorsement meetings throughout February and March. Unlike CSIRO Executive, the Staff Association is organised and ready to bargain. Story here.
Heavy job cuts to CSIRO research positions have edged closer – widely anticipated to begin with the Environment research unit – as embattled Chief Executive Doug Hilton confirmed that the organisation faces a billion-dollar funding shortfall over the next decade. Full report here.
The Staff Association has appealed for an urgent and sustained increase to CSIRO funding and resources as part our evidence to a Senate inquiry into Australia’s premier research organisation. We’ve been backed up by science industry peak bodies. Read our submission round-up here.
We had a great response to our annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science event. Nearly two hundred CSIRO employees tuned in to meet Professor Claudia Lagos, a computational astrophysicist from the University of Western Australia. Watch video highlights here.
Good news, everyone! Member-only discounts are now even easier to access. Union members get a whole bunch of special offers across a wide range of businesses, products and services with some significant savings to be had. Member Advantage is getting an upgrade, more here.
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Following the endorsement of the Staff Association’s bargaining claim, the union has called for preliminary enterprise agreement meetings, in response to a statement from CSIRO Executive announcing an indeterminate delay to the commencement of formal negotiations. Story here.
More information has emerged on the research impact of CSIRO job cuts, as the formal consultation period draws to a close. However, key details remain obscured, including the location of cuts, meaning the anxious wait for clarity is now up to four months. Report here.
The science industry showed up in force as the Senate held a public hearing as part of the inquiry into CSIRO resources and funding. A diverse range of participants testified, CSIRO also gave evidence and the Staff Association presented the workplace perspective. Full coverage here.
Doug Hilton revealed he is talking to the Board about restructuring his remuneration, acknowledging it’s not a great look to receive a bonus payment while axing hundreds of CSIRO staff. Otherwise Dr Hilton doesn’t feel guilty about his near $1 million salary package. Read more here.
The two unions representing ABC staff are close to confirming a pay deal with managing director Hugh Marks, a development that would end industrial action, which led to the first strike at the ABC in 20 years, after a session mediated by the Fair Work Commission on Monday. More here.
Union members get a whole bunch of special offers across a wide range of businesses, products and services with real savings that can provide cost of living relief. Find out how Member Advantage can help ease the squeeze and make your membership deliver increased value.
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CSIRO’s Data61 brand is set to be scrapped, with confirmation that the section will be combined with Manufacturing to create a new unit called Technology. The move comes as Executive finally revealed more details on the 120 staff who left Data61 over the past two years. Report here.
The Staff Association has called on the Albanese Labor Government to use next month’s federal budget to provide significant additional and ongoing support for CSIRO, echoing the recommendations of a recently released Senate inquiry report. Find out more here.
CSIRO is a big organisation and staff often encounter a range of complex health and safety issues across diverse workplace settings. Recently, the union has been working with Health and Safety Representatives to ensure concerns are heard and CSIRO people are kept safe. More here.
CSIRO’s all staff survey will be held from 6 to 20 May 2026. It’s your chance to have your say on how the joint is run, the strategic direction set by Executive and whether things are getting better… or worse. What’s changed in the past twelve months? Review last year’s results here.
Staff Association representatives recently met with CSIRO Executive for a preliminary discussion ahead of formal talks for a new agreement. The meeting took place at the suggestion of the union team, following Executive’s announcement of a delay to the start of bargaining. Story here.
There will be plenty of interest around science funding in the upcoming federal budget. While managing the economy – a tricky juggling act amid a global fuel crisis – will be the main game; Labor has important decisions to make when it comes to research policy. Budget preview here.
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CSIRO has won an extra $387.4 million in funding – part of a federal budget measure to support the organisation’s financial sustainability – but questions persist over job security and Executive accountability at Australia’s premier science agency. Read our report here.
CPSU has described the budget as a mixed bag, with overall staffing set to increase but significant cuts in some areas. National Secretary Melissa Donnelly was happy to see a slight increase in workforce levels but confirmation of anticipated job cuts remained disappointing. More here.
Despite delivering an ambitious federal budget that includes structural reform of the tax system, Labor managed to include key measures aimed at enlisting science and research in the ongoing task to lift Australia’s economic productivity. Full coverage here.
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Following the recent release of the Government’s bargaining policy, the Staff Association has called on Executive to get moving and formally commence the negotiation process for a new CSIRO Enterprise Agreement. Latest update here.
The Senate’s Economics committee posed some tough questions to CSIRO Executives in Canberra recently, with the scrutiny firmly focussed on cuts, jobs and funding. Elsewhere, Science Minister Tim Ayres received a grilling on the ongoing cost of CSIRO research cuts. More here.
The results from CSIRO’s Culture and Engagement survey are in and the report reveals another set of terrible ratings. Staff confidence in CSIRO’s strategic direction has completely eroded and senior leaders are being held up for blame. Comprehensive analysis here.
There are growing questions about the impact of artificial intelligence and employee surveillance practices at CSIRO, with the issue set to feature at the upcoming Consultative Council meeting between Executive representatives and Staff Association delegates. Story here.
A quick reminder that CSIRO Staff Association membership contributions are tax deductible. If you pay union dues through payroll deduction, claimable membership fees will be listed on your 2025-26 Income Statement issued by CSIRO.