澳大利亚的科研投资占国内生产总值的比例已跌至1.69%，创历史低位，远低于经合组织平均水平的2.7%[1]。这一下滑代表着澳大利亚从2009年峰值时期出现了显著倒退。由于资金紧张，澳大利亚科学与工业研究组织（CSIRO）采取了大规模裁员行动，尽管该机构获得了3.87亿澳元的预算追加资金，仍计划裁减350个职位[1]。CSIRO首席执行官希尔顿指出，该机构80%的建筑已过使用期限或不适用[1]，维护成本压力成为裁员的主要原因。
为应对这一危机，澳大利亚科学院发起了70年来规模最大的倡导活动"Restore Science"运动[1]，呼吁政府增加研发投资。该运动已有近18,000人致函议员表达诉求[1]。根据《雄心勃勃的澳大利亚》报告的建议，澳大利亚需增加43%的研发支出，即增加20亿澳元[1]。科学界警告称，若现状不改，澳大利亚在未来五年内可能在经合组织国家中排名最后[1]。
Australia's commitment to research and development has reached a critical low, with spending on R&D falling to 1.69 percent of GDP—a historic nadir that threatens the nation's scientific competitiveness and future prosperity [1]. This figure trails significantly behind the OECD average of 2.7 percent, positioning Australia at risk of ranking last among developed economies within the next five years [1].
The decline has created severe operational challenges for major research institutions. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has disclosed that 80 percent of its 800 buildings have exceeded their useful lifespan or are unsuitable for current use, prompting the organisation to eliminate 350 positions despite receiving an additional budget injection of A$387 million [1]. According to CSIRO Chief Executive Hilton, the mounting maintenance costs have forced these difficult cuts [1].
In response to the crisis, the Australian Academy of Science has launched its largest advocacy campaign in 70 years, termed "Restore Science," to push the government toward increased research investment [1]. The initiative has already mobilised nearly 18,000 citizens to contact parliamentary representatives [1]. The accompanying report, "Ambitious Australia," calls for a 43 percent increase in research and development expenditure—equivalent to A$2 billion annually—to restore the nation's scientific capacity and competitiveness [1].