The report, Securing Australia’s Future – research training system review, calls for a bold national industry placement scheme for research graduates to break down barriers further between industry and universities, and create lasting cultural change.

Universities Australia welcomes the launch of the report today by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham.

“Industry placements are invaluable for our graduates to develop industry-relevant skills and forge professional networks that will foster even greater collaboration in the future between businesses and our world-class university researchers,” said Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson.

“This builds on work already being done by individual universities. We need to deploy the skills of our highly-skilled graduates and work together to tackle Australia’s low rates of industry-researcher collaboration.”

As the report notes, Australia’s innovation challenges and the required changes are well-known.

“It is time to stop reviewing and walk the talk. A cross-sectoral implementation working group is an excellent idea and the university sector stands ready to play our part,” said Ms Robinson.

The recommendations cover a comprehensive suite of areas including collecting better data about career outcomes for graduates and allowing universities greater autonomy and flexibility to manage research training.

The recommendation to provide greater support for Indigenous research students and researchers is crucial to building Australia’s national research capability.

Close collaboration between universities and industry is essential to creating new Australian jobs and industries.

Universities Australia has also advocated that the current review of the R&D tax incentive should look at how it can encourage industry to collaborate more with universities.