As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes every sector of the global economy, Dell Technologies is helping Australian organisations build the computing power needed to develop and deploy AI safely, securely and sustainably.
Through new collaborations with Monash University and Macquarie Data Centres, the company is delivering the advanced systems underpinning Australia’s next generation of AI research, innovation and industry transformation.
These initiatives strengthen national data sovereignty, enable cutting-edge research across medicine, climate science and advanced manufacturing, and provide local enterprises with secure, high-performance platforms to accelerate AI adoption.
Bringing the MAVERIC supercomputer to life
Dell is collaborating with Monash University, along with AI chip giant NVIDIA and CDC Data Centres, to build and deploy the university’s MAVERIC supercomputer.
The first of its kind in Australia, MAVERIC is purpose-built for large-scale workloads. Built for performance, it uses NVIDIA’s GB200 NVL72 closed-loop platform (aligned with CDC’s zero-water approach) to deliver major water conservation benefits. Dell’s advanced liquid cooling also delivers up to 25× energy efficiency versus traditional systems.
MAVERIC will underpin research ranging from drug discovery and genomics to autonomous systems, renewable-energy modelling and advanced materials science. Its architecture is designed to help researchers train large-scale language models and simulation tools locally, while storing sensitive data privately on-premises.
Building Australia’s high-performance computing capacity
Separately, Dell Technologies is partnering with Macquarie Data Centres, part of the ASX-listed Macquarie Technology Group, to deploy its AI Factory infrastructure within the new IC3 Super West facility in Sydney. The collaboration will expand Australia’s sovereign, high-performance computing capacity, enabling Macquarie Data Centres to provide secure, scalable systems for enterprise and government AI workloads.
The infrastructure will also support Australian enterprises developing generative AI, cyber security analytics and digital-twin simulations. These applications demand sovereign, high-density compute resources close to the data source.
New AI capabilities in Australia
Both projects are set to improve Australian AI capabilities, with in-country development and storage ensuring data security and compliance with sovereignty regulations.
This is key, in particular, for innovation in critical infrastructure and highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, finance and education.
The systems will provide researchers and Australian developers with cutting-edge platforms to plug into, empowering innovation and building a highly skilled domestic workforce.
Angela Fox, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for ANZ at Dell Technologies, says the partnership with Monash will support Australian research projects to ‘reach their full potential’.
‘MAVERIC’s AI capabilities … will allow the university to participate in the fight against some of humanity’s biggest challenges, including disease and environmental science,’ she says.
‘To do so while boosting Australia’s sovereign AI capabilities is a win for the research community and a win for Australia.’
Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University, says the goal is for Monash students, academics and research partners to shape the future of AI, both in terms of applications and unlocking new possibilities.
‘Our focus is on solving real problems and putting AI to work in a meaningful way, from breakthroughs in cancer detection to redefining what’s possible in preserving the health of our planet for future generations.’
Dell’s deep learning AI model is supporting Citizens of the Reef to advance reef conservation efforts in Australia.
Dell’s partnership with Australia
The 2 projects represent a continuation of Dell’s work with Australian institutions.
Macquarie Technology Group is a certified ‘Dell Titanium Partner’, with a 15-year history of collaboration with the leading tech company. Dell’s involvement in the MAVERIC supercomputer project builds on a tech and infrastructure collaboration with Monash University spanning almost 2 decades.
The projects are the latest in a series of Dell AI Factory deployments, providing customers with sustainable, flexible and cutting-edge technology. These advancements not only offer a competitive edge but also position Australia as a global leader in AI and advanced technology adoption, alongside nations such as the US, UK, Germany and South Korea.
Within Australia, these projects build upon Dell’s existing technology leadership. The Virga supercomputer at Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, was the first deployment of Dell’s liquid-cooled AI Factory technology in Australia. CSIRO scientists use Virga across research fields from medical imaging to climate modelling.
Dell’s longstanding partnership with the Citizens of the Reef is helping advance conservation efforts through innovative technology. The deep learning AI model and edge computing solution was developed to support the Great Reef Census. It allowed volunteers, or ‘citizen scientists’, to contribute photos to the model and assist with image analysis, collectively informing focus areas for conservation efforts.
For Dell, Australia represents a strategic market within the Asia-Pacific region and an attractive hub for sustainable data centre development.
Partnering globally for a secure and prosperous AI future
As technology and innovation increasingly drive economic growth, Dell’s success in Australia is connected to the nation’s own digital progress.
As Dr Andrew Charlton MP, Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, said in a recent media announcement: ‘Australia’s future jobs and prosperity will depend on investment in critical technologies.’
Australia’s stable economy, supportive regulatory environment and expanding renewable-energy sector make it an attractive destination for digital infrastructure and public–private collaboration.
Demand for AI and cloud-based services is growing, and Australia boasts the skilled workforce required to meet it.
This, combined with a national commitment to digital transformation and data sovereignty, make Australia a strong prospect for foreign direct investment, and public-private partnerships.
Macquarie Data Centres CEO David Hirst believes investment from companies like Dell plays a crucial role in enabling local tech companies and developing the foundations of the local ecosystem.
‘For Australia’s AI-driven future to be secure, we must ensure that Australian data centres play a core role in AI, data, infrastructure, and operations,’ he says.
‘Our collaboration with Dell Technologies delivers just that, the perfect marriage of global tech and sovereign infrastructure.
‘We are enabling organisations to develop and deploy AI as a transformative and competitive advantage in Australia in a way that is secure, sovereign and scalable.’
How Austrade helped
Austrade’s North America and onshore teams have supported Dell in Australia since 2019. Austrade has:
- provided information on Australian government priorities, investment incentives and urban development projects
- facilitated introductions to state and local government agencies and research partners
- shared tender and grant opportunities and advised on application processes.
Go further, faster with Austrade
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