As well as injecting billions into the local economy and creating thousands of jobs, the project is expected to have wide-reaching implications for industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to energy, finance and logistics.

A quantum computer differs from a regular supercomputer in the way it processes and manipulates information. While classical supercomputers rely on binary bits (0s and 1s) to perform calculations, quantum computers use qubits (quantum bits), which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing them to explore multiple solutions at once.

It may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but Professor Geoff Pryde, PsiQuantum Australia’s Chief Technical Director, says the company’s approach leverages existing infrastructure that makes quantum computing possible at scale.

“One of the key differentiators of PsiQuantum is that we use photonic quantum computing, which relies on light,” he says. “That means our system is based on silicon photonics – the same technology already used in telecommunications and data centres worldwide. That’s a huge advantage because it allows us to scale up using proven, mass-production techniques, rather than relying on completely new fabrication methods.

“In simple terms, we’re building a quantum computer that works at scale – one that can be applied to complex industrial and scientific challenges. That’s why we refer to it as utility-scale, meaning it will be capable of solving real-world problems that are beyond the reach of today’s supercomputers.”

A heritage of innovation

While PsiQuantum is headquartered in Palo Alto in California, the company’s local roots run deep. Two of its co-founders – CEO Professor Jeremy O’Brien and Chief Quantum Architect Professor Terry Rudolph – are Australians who grew up and studied here, and Professor O’Brien spent several years of his career working at The University of Queensland in Brisbane.

“The concept of using photons for quantum computing was pioneered at the University of Queensland, where our CEO and I worked on early experimental breakthroughs,” Professor Pryde explains. “The world’s first quantum transistor for light came out of the research team there.”

Brisbane also hosts the ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology, which is exploring quantum applications in medicine, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, focused on building scalable quantum technologies.

More broadly, Brisbane is recognised as a global innovation hub, placing amongst the top 40 most innovative cities in the world in the 2023 Innovation Cities Index.

“When we engaged with local stakeholders, there was a clear vision to grow a quantum and advanced technology sector here,” Professor Pryde says. “Brisbane and Queensland were forward-leaning in their approach, and they understood the long-term benefits – not just for research and innovation, but for job creation, economic growth, and positioning the region as a leader in a critical technology.”

Now, after two decades of research and development, the technology first pioneered in Queensland is returning – not just as an academic pursuit, but as a commercial reality.

Building the future of computing in Brisbane

PsiQuantum’s world-first quantum computing facility will be built near Brisbane Airport, with modular infrastructure similar to a modern data centre.

The site will comprise of three components:

• Main office building: Home to a team of cryogenic, mechanical and electrical engineers, physicists, technicians and software developers, working to operationalise PsiQuantum’s quantum computing systems.
• Quantum computing operations buildings: These will contain more than a hundred  cryogenic cabinets, each equipped with PsiQuantum’s silicon photonic chips, networked using fibre optics.
• Cryoplant: A large-scale cooling system, comparable to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California, designed to maintain the quantum processors at a few Kelvin – approximately -270°C. Unlike other quantum architectures requiring temperatures even closer to absolute zero, PsiQuantum’s photonic-based approach allows for better heat extraction, making it more scalable and commercially viable.

“The Brisbane Airport precinct was a natural fit for this facility,” Professor Pryde explains. “It offers the space we need for a large-scale quantum computing operation, as well as access to reliable industrial infrastructure, including high-capacity power supply.

“The site’s proximity to Brisbane Airport and the Port of Brisbane also ensures seamless movement of highly specialised components that are coming in.”

Additionally, PsiQuantum will establish a Test & Characterisation Lab at Griffith University. Led by Professor Pryde, the lab will play a key role in testing and refining the quantum computing modules that will be integrated into the full-scale system.

Creating a quantum workforce

The project places Brisbane at the forefront of a quantum sector in Australia that the CSIRO estimates could be worth $2.2 billion by 2030, growing to nearly $6 billion by 2045.

A Mandala report commissioned by PsiQuantum found that the project could generate $5.1 billion in economic benefits, with job creation peaking at 2,800 roles by 2031.

“The project is expected to create around 400 direct jobs by the early 2030s, spanning quantum research, photonics engineering, software development, and advanced manufacturing,” Professor Pryde says. “But the broader economic impact will be much larger, with supply chain opportunities and high-tech industry growth.”

One of PsiQuantum’s key priorities is workforce development, ensuring Queenslanders can access the high-tech jobs the project is expected to create. The company has partnered with five leading universities – including Brisbane’s University of Queensland, Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology – to develop education and training programs in quantum computing and advanced technologies.

“One of the biggest questions people ask is: ‘Does Brisbane have the workforce needed for this?’ The short answer is yes, but we also need to grow it,” Professor Pryde says. “There’s a strong base of engineering and research talent here, but we need to develop the pipeline further.

“The good news is that not everyone working on this project needs to be a quantum physicist. With some additional training in quantum principles, many of the highly skilled professionals who are already in Brisbane can transition into this field without needing to completely retrain. And in fact, the majority of our technical workforce consists of engineers, software specialists and technicians who are building the systems that will allow the quantum computer to operate at scale.”

The project is also expected to attract top talent from around the world, including Australian researchers and engineers working overseas who have now been given another reason to return home.

“We’ve seen strong interest from Australians wanting to come back from overseas to work on this project,” Professor Pryde says. “It’s an opportunity to be part of something globally significant while being based right here in Brisbane.”