Aerotropolis: CSIRO to move 400 jobs in 2026

One of Australia’s biggest scientific organisations will call the western Sydney aerotropolis home from 2026, bringing with it more than 20,000 jobs over the next two decades.

What it could look like ... an artist’s impression of the state-of-the-art facility for CSIRO staff at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

The new western Sydney Aerotropolis has nabbed one of its biggest scalps to date with the CSIRO set to move more than 400 employees and researchers into a new facility from 2026.

State Jobs, Investment, Tourism, and Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres, Mulgoa state Liberal MP Tanya Davies, and CSIRO chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley were among those on hand at the Sydney science Park in Luddenham on Wednesday to make the announcement.

The new 18,000sq m, carbon-neutral facility will feature collaborative workshops and modern, flexible laboratories to support CSIRO’s work.

Artist impressions of the state-of-the-art facility for CSIRO staff at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. Picture: Supplied

The announcement also includes a $25 million partnership with the state government to support Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and generate more than 200,000 jobs in western Sydney over 20 years.

In a statement, a CSIRO spokeswoman said the facility would be “central to the Aerotropolis advanced manufacturing and research precinct”.

CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said the agency’s presence at the Aerotropolis would put science and technology right at the heart of the new smart city.

“The more we can put science in the hands of real people to solve real problems, the better our future will be,” he said.

Artist impressions of the state-of-the-art facility for CSIRO staff at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. Picture: Supplied

“The collaboration and connectedness of the Aerotropolis is an immense opportunity for CSIRO and the future we are shaping for Australia.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Aerotropolis would be the new focal point for Australian innovation, research, and productivity.

“CSIRO is a national icon and would set the tone for the Aerotropolis as an innovation hub which will drive the creation of more than 200,000 jobs across the Western Parkland City.”

The Property Council of Australia praised the announcement, saying the move will help “kickstart essential investment attraction for high tech industry into the region”.

A purpose-built facility will house CSIRO staff in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

“The presence of CSIRO in the Aerotropolis adds value to every other employment and investment attraction initiative in the region,” Property Council of Australia’s Western Sydney regional director Ross Grove said.

“It marks the beginning of a genuine innovation cluster and a new centre supported by the infrastructure of the future.”

Expected to be completed by 2026, the Aerotropolis aims to be one of Australia’s most connected cities supporting current and future residents, businesses and researchers.