About the Hub

Australia’s resource endowment and innovation capability positions us to be a world leading supplier of minerals needed to support the energy transition. However, it’s not an easy path to success.  Innovation and research will be needed to solve the complex challenges facing the sector and road to net zero.

The Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub (the Hub) was announced on 21 October 2022 by the Prime Minister The Hon. Anthony Albanese and the Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia, The Hon. Madeleine King.  The initiative is part of the Government’s plan to unlock Australia’s potential in the sector, as outlined in the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030.

The Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub brings together expertise from Australia’s leading science agencies: ANSTO (Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation), Geoscience Australia and CSIRO. The Hub is hosted by CSIRO and the three agencies work collaboratively to scale up and commercialise Australia’s critical minerals potential by aligning R&D to priority technical challenges and Australia’s strategic priorities. The Hub facilitates international R&D collaboration in support of strategic supply chain resilience.

The Hub is working with industry, universities and the research community to address technical challenges and drive collaborative research across the critical minerals value chain needed to support clean energy and Australia’s net zero policy agenda, in line with Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030.

1. Scaling-up and commercialising critical minerals research and development:  by undertaking priority projects and identifying research and development priorities, gaps, and technical obstacles in supply chains of strategic significance.  The Hub will also leverage Australia’s resource potential to support onshore processing and create opportunities in downstream high value industries.

2. Coordinating, guiding, and prioritising critical minerals research and development and expertise across Australia:  by fostering closer cooperation and collaboration across the domestic and international research and development ecosystem, including government, industry, universities, and other research institutes. Closer collaboration will help to reduce duplication, establish priorities for research and development across the critical minerals sector, inform future policy and funding decisions and grow Australia’s domestic capabilities.

3. Connecting critical minerals projects to technical and research experts: by building capability and tailoring activities to meet the needs of the sector. The Hub will help de-risk and commercialise projects and generate scientific knowledge and as well as Intellectual Property (IP) for either free dissemination as a public good and/or commercialisation to Australia’s advantage.

4. Support strategic international critical minerals collaboration: by advancing international research and development engagement and working with likeminded partners to support strategic supply chains.
   

The Hub is funded by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and works closely with the Critical Minerals Office.

There are seven Hub-funded research projects.

The Hub received $50.5 million and is funded until June 2026. The majority of funds are allocated via a research program administered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.  Of this, $5 million was set aside for “science diplomacy” and international engagement “to support international collaboration efforts.” All funds are held by Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the administered funding will be distributed via grants or other funding arrangements.