- Published:
- Wednesday 21 October 2026
Labor is backing up to 51 new local jobs, supporting an innovative quantum sensing company to expand in Victoria.
Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Melissa Horne today announced the expansion of Nomad Atomics' facility in Richmond, enabling the company to manufacture its world-leading quantum sensors locally.
Over the next three years, Nomad Atomics will establish a Sovereign Manufacturing Facility for its innovative quantum sensing equipment, enabling manufacturing previously outsourced overseas to take place in Victoria.
The expansion will boost research and development capability, lift productivity and open overseas markets.
Nomad Atomics combines world-leading quantum sensors and advanced software to unlock critical insights.
Its technology helps industries such as mining and water management make critical decisions, with future potential across a range of industries, including defence.
It is helping find and produce critical minerals, allowing utilities to reduce water loss and enabling navigation without the need for GPS.
Founded by three postdoctoral physicists, the company relocated its headquarters from Canberra to Richmond in 2024, where it established its state-of-the-art laboratories.
Victoria's manufacturing sector is the largest in the nation by workforce, employing more than 260,000 people.
The sector generates around $29 billion in annual exports.
Labor’s $150 million Victorian Investment Fund is helping businesses grow, create jobs and boost exports.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Melissa Horne
“Labor is supporting Nomad Atomics' expansion to create local jobs and strengthen Victoria’s position as a manufacturing powerhouse and a leader in innovation.”
“We’re backing the manufacturing sector – growing our economy and reinforcing Victoria’s place at the forefront of Australian industry.”
Quote attributable to Nomad Atomics Co-founder and CEO Kyle Hardman
“Our hardware is already achieving world-firsts in subsurface sensing. Scaling up production here means we can help industry find the critical minerals needed for the energy transition, and help strengthen Australia's sovereign capability in areas like defence navigation.”