Australian Institute of Marine Science to cut a third of its workforce

Australia’s world-leading marine science agency is set to cut a third of its workforce, as shocking photos reveal the decrepit condition of its Queensland-based headquarters.

Australia’s world-leading marine science agency is set to cut a third of its workforce in a major blow to regional Queensland if it doesn’t receive a titanic funding injection from the federal government.

The facilities at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), headquartered south of Townsville, is in such bad shape its offices are riddled with mould in the carpets, ceilings and its airconditioning ducts are rotting, photographs have revealed.

And its 1970s science labs — standing since before the invention of the Sony Walkman — are no longer fit for purpose, meaning the agency is at risk of being unable to meet the government’s mandate to provide leading scientific advice.

Up to 100 jobs could go from the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville. Picture: Supplied.

One of its smaller research vessels, the 18-year-old RV Apollo, has also hit its use-by-date and maintenance costs are rising.

It’s understood AIMS will be forced to axe a third of its 300-strong workforce — most of whom are location in regional northern Australia — and downsize operations if federal funding isn’t secured in the upcoming May budget.

Annual reports dating back to 2017/18 show AIMS’ federal government funding has hovered between $44-47 million a year.

Facilities at Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) headquarters in Townsville are riddled with mould and severely degrading. Picture: Supplied.

AIMS chief executive Dr Paul Hardisty confirmed if more funding was not secured the agency would have no choice but to downsize operations, including making staff redundant and closing offices in Darwin and Perth.

“For over 50 years (we’ve) delivered world leading marine science research but demand for our services has never been stronger and we have reached the limits of what we can do,” he said.

“Our facilities in Townsville also must be refurbished and modernised to protect our world heritage listed coral reefs, including Ningaloo Reef and the Great Barrier Reef, from the effects of climate change.”

Mould on the roof of the facility. Picture: Supplied.

Vessels are also not up to scratch. Picture: Supplied.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek pointed to a decade of coalition governance as to why AIMS’ scientists have been forced to work in mouldy offices and use nearly 20-year-old boats.

She said she was “very concerned” about the issue and, with less than a month to finalise the budget, would “have more to say on the matter” shortly.

The federal coalition government in its final budget in March last year, injected an extra $63.6 million into AIMS to be spread over five years, including $22.8 million to remediate its wharf at Cape Cleveland and $5.3 million for design work to replace major research vessel RV Cape Ferguson.

Once the funding tapered off in mid-2024, AIMS would have received an extra $1.5 million a year.

The federal budget is set to be handed down on May 9.