UK-Australia AUKUS skills pact to be signed at UNSW

UNSW Sydney

Embargo 12pm Tuesday 16 December 

Tuesday 16 December, 12pm – UNSW Health Translation Hub

UNSW Sydney will host the signing of a major UK–Australia agreement to accelerate the skills, training and research needed to deliver the AUKUS innovation program.

The UK Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and Australian Education Minister Jason Clare will attend the ceremony, which will formally establish the Advanced Skills Alliance – a partnership between eight leading universities across both countries.

The Alliance brings together UNSW Sydney, Curtin University and Adelaide University in Australia, with Cranfield University, King’s College London, Imperial College London, the University of Southampton and the University of Strathclyde in the UK.

The Alliance is a crucial plank in the development of the AUKUS agreement, designed to fast-track talent pipelines and capability in areas such as nuclear engineering, cybersecurity, systems design and advanced defence innovation.

Event details

What: Signing of the UK–Australia Advanced Skills Alliance MoU

When: 12pm, Tuesday 16 December 2025.

Where: UNSW Health Translation Hub, Randwick. Parking can be provided.

Who:

• Rt Hon. Bridget Phillipson, UK Education Secretary
• Hon. Jason Clare, Australian Minister for Education
• Professor Attila Brungs, Vice-Chancellor, UNSW Sydney (available for interviews)

Louise Templeton – 0413 495 994 | [email protected]
Julia Holman – 0435 124 673 | [email protected]