MathQuEST
Building the mathematics that will secure Australia’s quantum future.
ARC Centre of Excellence
About MathQuEST
The ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security & Trust (MathQuEST) is a seven year national research initiative uniting universities, industry partners, and government agencies.
Hosted by the University of Sydney, the Centre is powered by a $35 million investment from the Australian Research Council, along with substantial support from partners working at the forefront of multidisciplinary research.
MathQuEST Leadership Team
Director
Nalini Joshi AO
Professor
ARC Georgina Sweet Laureate Fellow, University of Sydney
Deputy Directors
Kate Smith-Miles AO
Professor
ARC Georgina Sweet Laureate Fellow, University of Melbourne
Stephan Tillman
Professor
ARC Future Fellow, University of Sydney
Our Research Ambitions
The next era of computing demands new mathematical foundations. As quantum technologies advance, we need adaptive, agile, and rapid algorithms that can thrive in a quantum world.
MathQuEST brings together global leaders in mathematics, computer science, cryptography, and quantum computing in a world leading interdisciplinary collaboration. Our work is structured across three core research themes: Computation, Security, and Trust—all deeply grounded in mathematics.
We aim to:
Discover powerful new algorithms inspired by deep mathematical insights
Invent scalable cryptographic systems and quantum optimisation techniques
Develop efficient, evidence based pathways toward quantum resilience
The benefits of this research are profound
Why Our Work Matters
We aim to upskill society for the quantum era—from recognising the “quantum‑secure padlock” in web browsers, to safeguarding access to quantum versions of digital money, to navigating a world where distinguishing truth from misinformation is increasingly critical.
MathQuEST will:
Create, authenticate, and standardise the algorithms needed to protect Australia’s future digital economy
Improve national productivity through secure, scalable technologies
Influence policy and support decision makers as quantum technologies mature
Research Themes
Our research program is built on a tightly integrated feedback loop between our three themes.
Together, these themes form the engine of our Centre—each informing and strengthening the others in ways that cannot be separated.
Computation
Explores the true capabilities and limits of quantum computers. What can they solve efficiently? What remains out of reach?
Security
Uses these insights to design, test, and stress test the next generation of cryptographic protocols.
Trust
Builds the frameworks needed to validate quantum systems.
How do we ensure privacy?
How do we verify the outputs of a quantum machine?
This theme also develops the benchmarks, standards, and authentication tools needed for real world adoption.
Participating Universities
The University of Sydney
The University of Melbourne
Monash University
Queensland University of Technology
University of Technology Sydney
The University of Western Australia
The University of Wollongong
Adelaide University
The University of Queensland
Partner Organisations
Office of National Intelligence
Defence Science and Technology Group
Quintessence Labs
University of Montreal - IVADO
Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers
Kyushu University
Technical University of Berlin
Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation