{"id":"F2024L00863","name":"Industry Research and Development (Space Literacy and Workforce Program) Instrument 2024","slug":"industry-research-and-development-space-literacy-and-workforce-program-instrument-2024","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442488,"registerId":"F2024L00863-fast-fetch-1775957472091","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Industry Research and Development (Space Literacy and Workforce Program) Instrument 2024","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nIndustry Research and Development (Space Literacy and Workforce Program) Instrument 2024\n\nI, Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science, make the following instrument.\n\n \n\n \n\nDated: 4 July 2024\n\nEd Husic\n\nMinister for Industry and Science\n\n \n\nContents\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Definitions\n\n5  Prescribed program\n\n6  Specified legislative power\n\n \n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Industry Research and Development (Space Literacy and Workforce Program) Instrument 2024.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n \n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. The whole of this instrument The day after this instrument is registered.\n\n\nNote: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under section 33 of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.\n\n4  Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.\n\nprogram: see subsection 5(1).\n\nspace-related learning includes disciplines relevant to space such as robotics, project management, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, meteorology, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.\n\n5  Prescribed program\n\n (1) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, the Space Literacy and Workforce Program (the program) is prescribed.\n\n (2) The program is a national initiative that advances space education, awareness and participation in Australia, including by funding:\n\n(a) the operation, improvement and expansion of the Australian Space Discovery Centre, including by increasing its capacity to enable communities around Australia to engage with space;\n\n(b) the promotion of space-related learning within the education sector, including the support of students in space-related competitions and programs;\n\n(c) measures to support First Nations Australians to establish space-related careers;\n\n(d) the promotion of awareness of space-related careers, including by promoting community understanding of space and the benefits of a space-related career;\n\n(e)  the provision of space-related science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related skill development opportunities, including opportunities in relation to the development of emerging skills, for persons pursuing, or who may pursue, space-related careers.\n\n6  Specified legislative power\n\n  For the purposes of subsection 33(3) of the Act, the powers of the Parliament to make laws with respect to the following are specified:\n\n(a)    postal, telegraphic, telephonic, and other like services (within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the Constitution);\n\n(b)    astronomical and meteorological observations (within the meaning of paragraph 51(viii) of the Constitution);\n\n(c)    the people of any race for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws (within the meaning of paragraph 51(xxvi) of the Constitution);\n\n(d)    external affairs (within the meaning of paragraph 51(xxix) of the Constitution);\n\n(e)    enterprises and activities that are peculiarly adapted to the government of a nation and cannot otherwise be carried on for the benefit of the nation (see paragraph 51(xxxix) and section 61 of the Constitution).\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument does not amend or repeal any existing law. It creates a new program under the Industry Research and Development Act 1986."},"complexity_factors":["The instrument is a short, self-contained prescription of a program name and scope, with a straightforward listing of constitutional powers. No complex amendments, conditions, or interactions with other laws."],"plain_english_summary":"The instrument establishes the Space Literacy and Workforce Program under the Industry Research and Development Act 1986, creating the legal basis for Commonwealth-funded activities to boost space education, awareness and workforce participation. It covers support for the Australian Space Discovery Centre, school and STEM initiatives, First Nations career pathways, and broader space-skills and outreach efforts.\n\nIt affects potential applicants and beneficiaries (students, educators, First Nations Australians, and organisations) but does not itself award grants or set application rounds."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument does not amend the primary Act; it formally prescribes a new program under s33 and specifies constitutional powers (s6). It defines program aims and eligible activities (s5) but does not expand or curtail the Act's statutory scope beyond declaring this prescribed program."},"complexity_factors":["Statutory authorisation: made under Industry Research and Development Act 1986 (s3) and prescribes a program for s33 of the Act (s5).","High-level mandate: s5 lists objectives and activities but omits operational rules, eligibility, and delivery mechanisms, leaving implementation discretion to the Minister/department.","Definitions: a short definition of 'space-related learning' (s4) narrows scope but uses broad subject categories that require administrative interpretation.","Constitutional framing: s6 specifies multiple heads of Commonwealth legislative power, which clarifies legal basis but does not affect day-to-day implementation.","Limited detail on funding: instrument authorises program scope but does not set appropriation, reporting, or accountability mechanisms, increasing administrative judgment calls."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument prescribes the \"Space Literacy and Workforce Program\" under the Industry Research and Development Act 1986. It authorises Commonwealth funding to expand the Australian Space Discovery Centre, promote space-related learning and careers (including support for First Nations pathways), and provide STEM and emerging-skill development. Funding decisions and program operation are taken under the Minister's authority (s3) and the program definition (s5); costs are borne by the Commonwealth budget and beneficiaries are students, communities, educators and potential space-sector workers."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a new instrument with no prior version to compare against. The scope aligns precisely with its stated purpose: establishing a space literacy and workforce development program. The five funding purposes in section 5(2) are clearly delineated and directly support the program's core mission without significant scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Very short instrument: only 6 sections spanning approximately 2 pages","Minimal defined terms: only 3 definitions in section 4 (Act, program, space-related learning)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the parent Act (Industry Research and Development Act 1986)","Simple structure: straightforward prescription of a program with a descriptive list of funding purposes","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Section 6 contains standard constitutional \"heads of power\" boilerplate common to Commonwealth legislation, but presented as a simple list without elaboration"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation creates a new government program called the **Space Literacy and Workforce Program** to boost Australia's space industry by improving education and career pathways.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Establishes a national program to advance space education, awareness, and workforce participation across Australia\n- Provides funding for five key activities:\n  - Running and expanding the **Australian Space Discovery Centre** (a public engagement facility)\n  - Promoting space-related learning in schools and universities, including supporting students in space competitions\n  - Helping **First Nations Australians** build careers in the space sector\n  - Raising public awareness about space careers and their benefits\n  - Developing skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for people interested in space careers, including emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Students and educators in STEM fields\n- First Nations Australians seeking space sector careers\n- The general public visiting the Space Discovery Centre\n- Anyone pursuing or considering a space-related career\n\n**Why it matters:**\nAustralia's space industry is growing rapidly, but needs skilled workers. This program addresses the \"pipeline\" problem—ensuring enough Australians have the right skills and interest to fill future space jobs. It also specifically targets underrepresented groups (First Nations people) and emerging technologies (AI, quantum computing) to keep Australia competitive in the global space economy."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/industry-research-and-development-space-literacy-and-workforce-program-instrument-2024","history":"/api/acts/industry-research-and-development-space-literacy-and-workforce-program-instrument-2024/history","analysis":"/api/acts/industry-research-and-development-space-literacy-and-workforce-program-instrument-2024/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/industry-research-and-development-space-literacy-and-workforce-program-instrument-2024/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/industry-research-and-development-space-literacy-and-workforce-program-instrument-2024/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/industry-research-and-development-space-literacy-and-workforce-program-instrument-2024/documents"}}