Staff dissatisfaction at the impact of the ongoing Enterprise Services restructure in the Information and Technology Management function have been underscored through the release of a powerful report that highlights not only the technical and operational concerns raised, but also the broader effect on morale, scientific capability, and CSIRO’s shared sense of purpose.
The Enterprise Services (ES) restructure is currently underway at CSIRO’s Information and Technology Management (IMT) function and is forecast to cost sixty full-time-equivalent roles, as well as the loss of nearly 25 term positions.
An extended consultation period – secured via union advocacy – on the new structure has now concluded and the process involved some 775 pieces of staff input, of which more than two-thirds came from employees outside of IMT. The new structure is due to take effect from 1 July 2025, setting the scene for major change and possible disruption for IT users across CSIRO.
At the same time, the Staff Association published a survey report that provides a thematic analysis of staff contributions in response to the proposed changes to IMT.
A recurring theme across responses is that the reforms shift costs rather than generate savings—transferring financial and administrative burdens from central IMT services to individual research units and projects.
Staff expressed alarm over the erosion of critical research infrastructure, including access to scientific journals, Australian Standards, and High-Performance Computing (HPC), all of which are considered essential to CSIRO’s research excellence.
The removal of specialised, on-site IMT support was also viewed as a significant loss, with many citing its importance for maintaining seamless operations. Additionally, numerous respondents voiced dissatisfaction with the consultation process, describing it as unclear, rushed, and lacking genuine engagement.
Sentiments ranged from pragmatic concerns about disrupted workflows to deeper anxiety around job security and the organisation’s strategic direction. Overall, the feedback reflects a strong view that while cost-efficiency is a valid objective, the proposed IMT reforms may ultimately undermine CSIRO’s core scientific mission.
In summary, while financial sustainability remains an understandable objective, the feedback strongly suggests that the current direction of IMT reform may compromise the very science it seeks to support.
“I simply couldn’t do my job at all without [IMT]. Yet I don’t have to contact IMT loads which is a testament to how well they keep things running behind the scenes.”
“If the goal is to save money, this seems like a very expensive way to do it—projects will just eat the cost later and suffer for it.”
“The proposed cuts feel disconnected from the actual work we do. This isn’t about saving money – it’s about shifting costs from one team to another, and ultimately, to the researchers and support staff who are just trying to get their work done.”
The report recommendations offer a way to realign the reform process with CSIRO’s mission, ensuring that support structures enable, rather than hinder, the pursuit of science.
The feedback gathered from staff in response to the proposed IMT changes under the ES Reform reveals a deep and widespread concern about the operational, cultural, and scientific impacts of the current direction.
While financial sustainability is acknowledged as a legitimate organisational goal, the overwhelming sentiment is that the current approach:
There is a recurring theme that the reform lacks transparency and has been perceived as a top-down process with insufficient consultation, particularly with the scientists and technical staff who will bear the brunt of its effects.