Major funding boost for UNSW's quantum mission

UNSW’s quantum computing project has received a second major injection of funds from Australia’s corporate sector, with Telstra matching a Commonwealth Bank pledge of $10 million.

Telstra announced an in-principle commitment of $10 million plus in-kind support over the next five years to the UNSW-based Australian Research Council Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, led by Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons.

It follows a similar $10 million pledge from the Commonwealth Bank after the federal government promised $26 million to the centre as part of its $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda unveiled this week.

“The potential of quantum computing is significant for countries across the globe, and we are excited to be part of this important initiative to build the world’s first silicon-based quantum computer in Sydney,” said Telstra CEO Andrew Penn.

“Telstra is ready and willing to play a role in building for the future. We must come together to plan for future generations through technological advancements. This partnership is a solid demonstration of this commitment.”

Professor Simmons, who leads the centre with more than 180 researchers, said the investment sent a “very powerful message about supporting internationally leading Australia research in areas of breakthrough technology”.

“What a week for innovation, industry collaboration and UNSW’s world-leading quantum computing researchers,” said UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Ian Jacobs.

Quantum computing in silicon is an entirely new system at the atomic scale and Australia leads the world in single-atom engineering. In the long term, a single quantum computer has the potential to exceed the combined power of all the computers currently on Earth for certain high-value applications including data processing and drug development.

Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Christopher Pyne told the National Press Club that Australian researchers were currently winning the global quantum computing race and the government intended to cement their position.

“We are already at the forefront here, and now is the time to back our success, invest the money and see some results,” said Pyne.

Telstra’s chief said quantum computing represented an “important leap in innovation” and would open a world of new possibilities.

As well as financial support, Penn said Telstra would offer the resources of its data science team, including the skills and knowledge of Dr Hugh Bradlow, Telstra’s chief scientist.