• Over 100 engineering research centres
• Over 15,000 publications in 5 years
• 3 times global average cited for chemical and environmental engineering
• 15,000+ professional engineers

Queensland is known for leading multidisciplinary engineering research projects to address global challenges in the fields of mining, materials, medical, biotechnical, chemical and environmental engineering.

Queensland engineering researchers published more than 15,000 publications between 2017 and 2021, with chemical and environmental engineering topics cited over three times the global average (citation rate of attributable publications). Most Queensland engineering research publications are in materials engineering followed by civil and chemical engineering; and Queensland collaborates most frequently in engineering research with China, the USA, the UK, Japan and Germany. Queensland engineering publications were linked with 451 patent publications during this five-year period.

Queensland has a particularly strong record for developing collaborations between industry and universities to fast track the application of research into the real world. Queensland’s ARM Hub (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub), for example, combines expertise from research institutions with in-house engineering, data science and design technical expertise to deliver world-first innovations for their commercial partners.

Queensland has been successful in the translation of engineering research into significant technological advances in environment, health, and agricultural sciences. Key discoveries and applications range from novel nanotechnologies to innovations in robotics. Some recent significant research has focused on decarbonisation and in developing cleaner and greener energy sources and management of energy systems.

Queensland boasts a critical mass of leading engineering research centres and facilities and over 100 research organisations involved in engineering science.

Leading engineering research centres

Engineering science research centres

Industry–research collaboration and commercialisation

• Disaster resilience

  For more disaster-resilient homes, wind and fire engineering researchers at QUT’s Research Engineering Facility partner with major building product suppliers such as Promat and Atlas Copco to develop and test the performance of materials, designs and structures under extreme conditions.

• Converting waste into automobile fuel

  With the potential to supply 70% of Australia’s demand for fuel and to significantly reduce landfill, the Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy at CQUniversity has partnered with Northern Oil Refineryto develop a system that will turn polystyrene, tyres, waste plastic, particle board and other mixed solid waste into commercial-grade petrol and diesel fuel.

• Energy efficiency

  To reduce the high energy use in mineral processing operations, the UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute has formed an industry-research consortium which includes mining companies Eriez, Glencore and Anglo American, to tackle multidisciplinary aspects of coarse particle processing such as flotation, comminution, classification and process chemistry.

• Bioengineering

  Collaboration between Herston Biofabrication Institute and the German MedTech company, BellaSeno, has led to the world-first trial of a new technology to print 3D bioresorbable scaffolds that use the body’s natural regenerative capabilities, with the focus on replacing silicone breast implants.

• Bioprocess engineering

  To develop bio-derived and bio-degradable plastics that have a minimal impact on the environment, the A$13 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites has partnered with the City of Gold Coast to develop novel halophilic biotechnology for PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) production from sugarcane.

• Composite materials

  As leaders in research and innovation in advanced composite manufacturing, the Centre for Future Materials partnered with Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies and Allnex Composites in a $10 million Cooperative Research Centres program that has enabled Wagners to produce high-performing large, hollow rectangular composite profiles through a novel pull-winding process.

• Quantum engineering

  As part of the international race to build a scalable, quantum computer, the Griffith University node of ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC²T) is leading the Quantum Information Theory research program in partnership with NASA, NIST and the National University of Singapore.

• Engineering resource recovery of preserved timber

  Preservative treated timber prolongs service life but poses a challenge with disposal. The Durability Centre is working with Forest and Wood Products Australia and a consortium of timber users to identify alternative pathways for reuse that will minimise landfill as an end-of-life option.

• Energy engineering

  The National Battery Testing Centre (NBTC) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) tests multiple types and sizes of battery systems in real-world conditions for Australian applications. RedEarth Energy Storage supports the critical work of QUT by providing industry expertise and practical support.

Support for the engineering industry in Queensland

Advance Queensland is the key Queensland Government initiative to foster innovation and build a more diversified economy (A$755 million invested as of July 2022). The initiative is comprised of a diverse suite of programs, including universities and researchers, is designed to develop entrepreneurial and research talent, and to support start-ups and businesses. The Ignite Ideas Fund supports Queensland-based small to medium businesses, which have high-growth potential to undertake commercialisation projects involving highly innovative new products or services that are at minimum viable product stage or beyond. The Industry Research Fellowships program supports PhD qualified researchers to undertake original research that will positively impact the translation of research outcomes into practical application.

Queensland Government is also investing A$350 million through the Industry Partnership Program (2021–2025) in several priority industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, hydrogen, biofutures, biomedical, defence, aerospace, space, resource recovery and METS (Mining Equipment, Technology and Services).

Queensland is known for providing opportunities for key stakeholders to come together to foster strategic relationships. An excellent example is the 2022 Bioeconomy Forum organised by Life Sciences Queensland in association with the Bioenergy Australia, Greater Whitsunday Alliance, Mackay Regional Council, QUT, UQ and the Queensland Government. The forum provided a platform for Queensland’s key players across industrial, agricultural and environmental biotechnology to discuss approaches and technologies that support our growing local bio-based economy to meet global demand for more sustainable energy, processes and products.

Queensland has world-class engineering research that supports the state’s major industry development programs:

• The Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan
• The Queensland defence industries roadmap
• The Queensland Mining Equipment, Technology and Services 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan
• The Queensland Aerospace 10-Year Roadmap.

Several of these roadmaps are supported by targeted industry grant programs such as:

• The Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund that provides targeted financial assistance to eligible small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the defence, aerospace or space sectors.
• The Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program assists eligible regional businesses to become more productive, build advanced manufacturing capabilities and create the jobs of the future through: technology adoption; skills and training; business development; and advanced robotic manufacturing hub services.

Talent pipeline for engineering

All of Queensland’s universities offer under- and post-graduate courses in various disciplines of engineering (e.g. CQUniversity, UniSQ, and The University of Queensland). Many of these programs include internships with key industry partners within Queensland (e.g. internship programs at CQU and QUT) . Many of Queensland’s universities host major research institutes and specialised research centres supporting doctoral students and dedicated researchers who often work on projects involving industry collaborations.

School students in Queensland engage with STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) under the strategy for STEM in Queensland state schools and teachers access resources via the STEM hub and the Queensland STEM Education Network provided by Queensland universities. The Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education recognise people who demonstrate an outstanding and innovative contribution to STEM education in Queensland.

School-based programs, such as the Gateway to Industry Schools program run by the Queensland Government, and those run by industry, such as Rio Tinto’s Pioneer Portal, are designed for students and workers to learn about new career options available in knowledge-intensive industries and to address outdated career planning.