Australia’s agrifood system is increasingly exposed to global supply pressures. More than 80% of fertiliser used in Australia is imported, and recent disruptions have highlighted the vulnerability of these supply chains. This is placing growing cost pressures on Australian farmers.

At the same time, large volumes of nutrient-rich wastewater are generated across agriculture, aquaculture and urban systems. These waste streams contain the same essential nutrients that are imported at significant cost, yet current treatment processes are not designed to recover them in a usable form.

This creates an opportunity to rethink wastewater as a resource. By recovering nutrients locally, it is possible to develop a new domestic supply of critical agricultural inputs while reducing environmental impacts.

Through the ANU–CSIRO Agrifood Collaboration Program, researchers are developing an innovative membrane technology to extract valuable nutrients from wastewater. Inspired by natural biological systems, these membranes mimic the way living cells transport specific molecules, enabling targeted recovery of nutrients such as ammonia from complex wastewater streams.

This approach represents a shift from conventional wastewater treatment, which focuses on producing clean water, to a more circular model that recovers both water and nutrients for reuse. In doing so, it creates new opportunities for how resources are managed across agricultural and industrial systems.

Bringing together expertise in biology, engineering and applied systems, the collaboration between ANU and CSIRO has enabled the development of a platform technology with potential applications across agriculture, water utilities, aquaculture, mining and energy sectors.

With the research phase nearing completion, the project is delivering promising results and progressing towards commercialisation. Early-stage prototypes have successfully demonstrated nutrient recovery from wastewater in controlled settings.

The commercialisation of this technology provides an opportunity to build sovereign capability in fertiliser production. As global shortages and supply disruptions continue to challenge agricultural systems, the ability to recover nutrients domestically offers a pathway to greater resilience and long-term security.

Beyond fertiliser supply, the technology also has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment and limit the release of excess nutrients into waterways. In doing so, it supports a broader transition towards a circular economy, where waste is reused, and environmental impacts are reduced.

This work demonstrates the value of connecting research, industry and government to accelerate the translation of innovation into real-world outcomes. By combining complementary expertise across institutions, the ANU–CSIRO collaboration provides a model for addressing complex, system-level challenges.

As pressures on food systems, resource security and environmental performance continue to grow, this work offers a practical pathway for Australia to reduce reliance on imports, unlock value from waste, and strengthen long-term resilience.