The ongoing shake-up of CSIRO science will continue into next year, with separate restructures of the Tech Economy, Biosecurity and Energy research units not expected to be finalised until the first half of 2027.
In Tech Economy, up to 150 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions are likely to be impacted, around 25 per cent of the research unit workforce.
An unknown number of Biosecurity researchers are affected, however CSIRO is ‘exploring opportunities’ to transfer some staff and projects to ‘an independent statutory body in Queensland.’
At this stage, the Energy restructure is not expected to change current staff numbers in the research unit.
In the wake of the Federal Government’s $620 million bailout, there’s been a noticeable change in the language deployed by CSIRO Executive when describing the context for organisational restructuring.
Exhorting the need to ‘adapt and evolve’ and warning of the ‘responsibility to delivery (sic) the greatest possible impact from the substantial public funding entrusted to us,’ CSIRO internal documents nonetheless describe these current restructures as ‘guided by strategic priorities and research impact, not by a need to reduce costs,’ further noting that ‘the additional Government funding gives us greater workforce stability over the next three financial years.’
That change of tone was echoed during a recent appearance at the National Press Club from CSIRO Chief Executive Doug Hilton.
“I think we’re changing trajectory. One of the things that gives me great optimism is the support we’ve received from government.”
“For CSIRO to receive that funding I think speaks to a level of trust the community has in us and a level of trust that our elected representatives – across the political spectrum – have that we will do the work that will help inform policy decisions for the next hundred years.”
“I do think we’ve turned a corner – I don’t want to overstate that – but I think we can provide that stability to staff,” Dr Hilton said.
However, Dr Hilton stopped short of providing any guarantees that the extra funding from the Federal Government would stop future job cuts.
In an recent interview with the Canberra Times, Dr Hilton was asked about the potential for up to 150 job cuts in the new Tech Economy research unit.
Dr Hilton said, while no decision had been made about these positions, “we have an opportunity to ask how we can deploy staff to other parts of the organisation” but failed to rule out job cuts definitively.
The current proposal goes some way to allaying concerns, but again, stops short of rejecting the possibility of job cuts as a result of the Tech Economy restructure.
‘No decisions on structure and capability, including potentially impacted FTE, have been made.’
‘However, the majority of the potential changes are expected to involve the transfer and realignment of capability, rather than workforce reductions,’ the document states.
The early engagement process for all three restructures has occurred or will be concluded soon. Feedback from early engagement will be considered by research unit leaders as the proposals are developed further.
Formal consultation will then commence. The Staff Association provides individual advice to union members that are potentially impacted by the restructure process. For assistance, please email us or speak to an organiser or workplace delegate.
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