Research and innovation capabilities in Victoria

Victoria is a global leader in research and innovation. We are home to many of Australia’s most important research institutions, with capabilities that are unique in the Asia Pacific region.

Victoria boasts outstanding university performance with 6 of the world’s best universities based in Victoria with 2 ranked in the global top 50. Our research performance and expertise is considered at or above world standard.

Our universities are globally recognised for their strong culture of collaboration between industry and government – both locally throughout Australia and internationally. The City of Melbourne has one of the highest numbers of inner-city research collaborations in the world.

Many of our universities have specific capabilities that can support the circular economy in Victoria, such as:

• Deakin University – Circular Economy Initiative
• Swinburne University – Manufacturing Futures Research Institute
• RMIT University-led – Industrial Transformation Research Hub and Victorian Circular Activator
• Monash University – Monash Sustainable Development Institute
• University of Melbourne – Climate Hub
• Victoria University – Sustainable Futures Hub.

Through our Markets Acceleration program, funding was made available to research, develop, and demonstrate new products made from recycled materials such as glass, plastic, organics, electronic waste, paper, cardboard, textiles, and rubber. This funding supported existing and new manufacturers to make and commercialise products using recycled materials. The Markets Acceleration program supports collaboration between industry, universities, and government and will improve confidence in, demand for, and uptake of recycled products in Victoria.

• Read more about recently funded Circular Economy Markets Fund: Materials projects.
• Explore case studies of completed research, development, and demonstration projects.
• Keep an eye out for upcoming funding opportunities and sign up to our grants newsletter.

Through the Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre, we lead and share research, market intelligence and best-practice insights, all collated through CEBIC’s activities and partnerships.

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, funds research programs across diverse sectors and has a strong presence in Victoria across multiple sites.