Driving Semiconductor Capability in NSW
A new initiative to drive sovereign semiconductor capability will be established in NSW to support critical local industries including health, defence and telecommunications.
The Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B) brings together leading experts from
the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, UNSW Sydney, Australia’s national
science agency CSIRO and the Australian National Fabrication Facility.
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the
semiconductor sector had been identified as a local strength in the recently released
NSW 20-Year R&D Roadmap, presenting a golden opportunity to grow our economy.
“From computers and smartphones to military communications and medical devices,
semiconductors (also known as ‘chips’) drive the technological devices we use every
day and are indispensable to many global supply chains,” Mr Henskens said.
“The semiconductor industry has been an engine for economic growth over the last
60 years and the S3B represents an enormous opportunity to secure a brighter future
for NSW by accelerating our participation in the global semiconductor market.”
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said NSW has a clear
competitive advantage when it comes to semiconductors, with most Australian
companies already based here.
“Each of the institutions forming this consortium has a long history of innovation within
the sector, working closely with Australian leaders in semiconductor technology and
major global firms,” Professor Durrant-Whyte said.
Inaugural Director of the S3B Dr Nadia Court, from the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, said
the S3B will be the nexus of the semiconductor sector in NSW and Australia.
“The S3B will build connectivity and collaboration, and support commercial impact. It
will play a key role in advocating for the sector, connecting companies and researchers
with design and manufacturing capabilities globally,” Dr Court said.
The S3B is funded by the NSW Government and will be located at Cicada Innovations ,
in the heart of Sydney’s Tech Central Precinct.