Science & Technology Australia represents 90,000 STEM professionals in the research and private sectors, commercialisation hubs and deep-tech start-ups.
A statement from STA, following its annual leadership dialogue, said Australia could become a top-10 leader in STEM disciplines in the OECD if it had the vision to announced bold targets.
The various groups are yet to finalise their election policies, but said they were agreed on the following:
"Invest in a $2.4 billion Research Translation Fund to drive income-generating commercialisation of Australian research and create thousands of new jobs.
"Craft a comprehensive plan across government to co-ordinate R&D strategic investment, policy and roles to seize competitive strategic advantage for Australia.
"Embolden discovery research by boosting investment in the major grant agencies to catapult breakthroughs and secure the science workforce with a bridge to the other side of the pandemic.
"Tackle the broken system of insecure work tied to competitive research grants especially for Australia's early career scientists - the future of the profession.
"Commit to keep funding the national science agencies in the coming term by at least current levels of investment indexed by CPI.
"Develop a comprehensive plan to transition to a net-zero emissions economy and safeguard Australia's unique biodiversity.
"Renew a long-term investment in the nation's vital research infrastructure through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.
"Craft a plan to tackle a decline in STEM achievement of Australian school students and stop the brain drain of our children out of STEM.
"Make a further commitment to programs to boost diversity and inclusion in STEM to ensure the nation draws on the widest possible pool of talent."
STA chief executive Misha Schubert said: "Science and technology have guided us safely through a once-in-a-century pandemic - now we need to deploy them to create new jobs and drive Australia's economic recovery.
"To achieve that goal, we need a once-in-a-generation bold investment to secure the new sovereign capabilities Australia needs in science and technology - an investment that will generate vast economic returns and new jobs for the nation."
"Bolder strategic R&D investment in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy, medical technologies, agtech, and a wide array of frontier science and technology will seed jobs and investment - and economic opportunities for our kids."
"Australia should set itself a vision to become a global STEM superpower, with a bold investment target in R&D, in a clear-eyed strategic push to seize future jobs from our economic competitors."
