Why AuScope was established

AuScope Limited is a non-profit company formed to facilitate the implementation of a world-class infrastructure system for earth science through the delivery of a range of technologies and capabilities in data acquisition, management, modelling and simulation across the geospatial and geoscience spectrum.

AuScope has been awarded $42.8 million by the Australian Government under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) as Capability 5.13, “Structure and Evolution of the Australian Continent”, which brings together 23 participants including CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, 11 universities, and state government agencies. In addition to its NCRIS funding, over $70 million in co-investment has been committed by the participants in AuScope.

AuScope is built on the principle that simply acquiring the infrastructure and making it accessible to meritorious researchers is only part of the solution. The paradigm shift will come from harnessing, organising and providing ready access to the data, information and knowledge that result from use of the infrastructure. In turn, making the new data, information and knowledge available outside the research community will result in new and improved science, business, educational and policy applications.

Six components were identified that covered the main science and infrastructure delivery needs.

• AuScope grid and interoperability
• Earth composition and evolution
• National virtual core library
• Earth imaging and structure
• Earth simulation and modelling
• Geospatial framework and earth dynamics

A more detailed description of the infrastructure and research opportunities available through each of the six components can be found on the individual component pages.

Vision and purpose

The organisation developed a vision statement identifying goals that underpin the work and direction of all the components.

‘A National Geoscience and Geospatial Infrastructure System to transform our Understanding of the Structure and Evolution of the Australian Continent’,
and a core purpose ‘To reveal new insights into the Australian Continent, through continually improving earth science infrastructure, to benefit the Australian community of the future’.

AuScope’s goals

• Establish AuScope Limited to support Infrastructure Development
• Provide AuScope Infrastructure
• Transform our Research Capability through Meeting Researcher Needs for
  • ­Nationwide Upgrade of the Geospatial Reference Frame
  • ­Clear and Rich Picture of Australia’s Subsurface
  • ­Unlocking the Composition of the Top 1Km
  • ­Characterising the Nature of the Deeper Crust
  • ­Toolkit for Data Interrogation, Simulation, Modelling and Inversion
• Provide Seamless Access through an Interoperable Grid
• Build a Collaborative Climate in AuScope
• Produce World Class Research Outcomes for National Benefit

Governance and Management

AuScope is governed by a largely independent Board and is managed on a day-to-day basis by CEO Dr Bob Haydon from the AuScope Headquarters at the School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne. Each of the components has a Program Manager who is the first contact point for discussing access to the AuScope Infrastructure Projects. Program Directors are listed on each individual page and on the contacts page.

As part of the AuScope’s commitment to collaboration there is a TWiki (attached to this site and open to all) where working group discussions and project collaboration is developed. The AuScope information system AIM for financial and project management is also linked to this site but is only available to members.

AuScope Board

AuScope Board

Members and Associate Members

AuScope Ltd members
The Australian National University (ANU)
Curtin University of Technology
Macquarie University
Monash University
University of Adelaide
University of Melbourne
University of Queensland
University of Sydney
University of Tasmania
University of Western Australia
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Geoscience Australia (GA)
Victorian Government:
(Geoscience Victoria;)
Queensland Government
(Geological Survey of Queensland; Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water)
West Australian Government
(Geological Survey of Western Australia; Landgate WA)
New South Wales Government
(Geological Survey of New South Wales; New South Wales Department of Lands)
Tasmanian Government
(Mineral Resources Tasmania; Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment)
Northern Territory Government
(Department of Planning, Infrastructure & Environment; Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines)
South Australian Government
(Primary Industries and Resources South Australia)

Access to AuScope Components

More information regarding the AuScope components can be found on the individual pages along with relevant contact details and downloadable support material. Information on how to access AuScope Infrastructure projects may be found on the Infrastructure Access page.