UNSW Sydney quantum computing spinout Diraq has banked $20 million from the federal government’s National Reconstruction Fund.
Sources:
Startupdaily.net
Financial Review
Author: Andrew See
Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
Prof. Simmons has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to quantum physics and nanotechnology, technology innovation and STEM education. She is one of just 10 Australians to receive the coveted title this year.
ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Performance and Integration
Professor Andrea Morello has led 33 Australian universities and partners and won the bid of ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Performance and Integration. This Centre will tackle scientific barriers to scalable, reliable quantum computing and unlock the full potential of quantum technologies. The bid has secured $35 million in funding. Associate Professor Jarryd Pla and Professor Andrew Dzurak are also part of the winning team.
NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering 2025: A Milestone for the Australian National Fabrication Facility – NSW Node
NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering 2025: A Milestone for the Australian National Fabrication Facility – NSW Node
Sydney, 25 November 2025 — The unveiling of the 2025 winners of the NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering (announced 19 November 2025) spotlights excellence across fields from perovskite solar cells to soil ecology and cognitive ageing. Among these achievements, the pivotal role of the Australian National Fabrication Facility – NSW Node (ANFF-NSW) stands out for empowering many of the breakthroughs celebrated. Professor Anita Ho-Baillie, an user of ANFF-NSW, has been awarded the NSW Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences or Physics.
Enabling Innovation Throug Infrastructure
Based across the University of New South Wales, University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, ANFF-NSW provides open-access advanced micro- and nanofabrication facilities to Australia’s researchers. ANFF-NSW (link) Its equipment and expertise have underpinned high-impact research in quantum technologies, photovoltaics, medical devices and more — the very kind of work being recognised in the Prizes.
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ANFF-NSW@UNSW: $690K secured for new sputtering tool
Dr Matt Boreland, Technical Director at ANFF-NSW, has successfully secured $690,000 in funding to revitalise critical lab infrastructure. The funding comes from two major sources — $300K from UNSW’s Ageing Research Equipment Repair and Replacement Scheme (via the Office of the PVCRI) and $390K from the ANFF National Contingency Fund. This investment will enable the replacement of the ageing HHV sputtering tool, which has experienced a significant increase in age-related failures over the past 1–2 years. The upgrade will directly benefit both UNSW researchers and key industry partners, ensuring continued excellence in materials fabrication and innovation.
