Sugar Research Australia

About Sugar Research Australia

Sugar Research Australia (SRA) is the leading research organisation dedicated to supporting the Australian sugarcane industry. Through collaborative research and innovation, SRA aims to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability for sugarcane growers and millers. It is unique to the RDC landscape as it undertakes the research in addition to partnering with specialist research institutions.  

SRA is industry owned, and funding comes from levies paid by growers and millers, while other RDCs typically collect levies only from producers. Its research is practical and applied, aiming for on-farm and milling impact, such as new sugarcane varieties and pest resistance. SRA also has a strong regional model, with its staff embedded in cane growing regions.  

SRA operates ten facilities across Queensland and New South Wales including research farms, laboratories and offices to ensure research efforts are applicable to all areas of the growing regions.  

Headquarters: Brisbane, QLD. With several research stations and offices situated across Australia's sugarcane-growing regions. 

Strategic priorities

SRA invests in research and projects that align with their strategic priorities and annual operating plan. These priorities are listed above and outlined in the SRA Strategic Plan 2021-2026.

1. A High-Performing Research Portfolio:
   • Deliver higher impact for industry
   • Informed research investments
     • Advanced crop protection
     • Sustainable farming and milling practices and supply chain optimisation
     • Future uses for sugarcane.
2. Translation Capability
   • Continue to refresh service delivery model
   • Make it easier and cost effective for industry to adopt research  
   • Build industry participation in district planning process.
3. World-class sugarcane varieties
   • Achieve yield and quality improvement in the variety development program
   • Leverages science and innovation in breeding technology
   • Leverage plant-breeding rights and plan for future uses of high-fibre varieties.  
4. Growing Research and Delivery Capacity
   • Deliver value from our research capability, intellectual property facilities amd delivery services
   • Create new products and service opportunities from research
   • Form research and delivery partnerships and ventures into new markets .

Working with SRA

To date, SRA has worked with many partners. They offer flexible partnership arrangements tailored to meet mutual objectives, including:  

• Co-Investment in RD&E Projects – Collaborative funding opportunities for industry-driven research.  
• Strategic Alliances – Long-term partnerships with government, industry bodies, universities, and technology providers.  
• Commercial & Innovation Partnerships – Joint ventures to develop and commercialise new technologies, products, and services.  
• Workforce & Capability Development – Programs supporting education, internships, and professional training in agricultural science and technology.

SRA welcomes collaboration from research institutions, agribusiness, technology, or government sectors, SRA is keen to explore collaboration opportunities that deliver value to all stakeholders. Find out more here.