Science and Innovation

The key agencies which undertake and support scientific research in NSW are the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the Australian Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change.

The NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) has lead responsibility for key aspects of the the NSW Government Innovation Statement (PDF).

The Innovation Unit within DSRD was recently established to design and implement policies that create an environment where it is easier for businesses to innovate. The work of the Unit is based upon the Innovation Statement, which outlines how the NSW Government plans to enhance industry innovation as a means of improving productivity and increasing business investment.

Key NSW Agencies

Australian Museum
The Australian Museum has an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous research, community programs and exhibitions. The Museum was established in 1827 and is Australia's first museum, with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts.

NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change
The Department of Environment and Climate Change was formed in April 2007 and manages the state's natural resources, including biodiversity, soils and natural vegetation, manages natural and cultural heritage across the state's land and waters, acts to minimise the impacts of climate change, promotes sustainable consumption, resource use and waste management, regulates activities to protect the environment, and conducts biodiversity, plant, environmental and cultural heritage research to improve decision making.

NSW Department of Primary Industries
The NSW Department of Primary Industries was formed in July 2004 by the amalgamation of four NSW Government agencies: Mineral Resources, NSW Agriculture, NSW Fisheries and State Forests of NSW. The Department provides research and development services to rural industries of NSW. Research underpins extension, education and regulatory services.

Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum is Australia's largest museum and is located in Ultimo, Sydney. Its unique and diverse collection of 385,000 objects spans history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration.

Other NSW Agencies

The NSW agencies listed below also work in the science and innovation area in varying capacities. 

NSW Department of Education and Training

NSW Department of Water and Energy

Zoological Parks Board of NSW

Networks and Facilities
(under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy program)

Bioplatforms Network (PDF)
Formed in 2007 and managed through a new coordinating body, BioPlatforms Australia is a national body that delivers services in the specialist areas of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics. The objective of this network is to make available research infrastructure for use by researchers, industry and government to advance our understanding of genes, proteins and metabolites. These advances will have various applications in medical, agricultural, environment and life science research, examples of which could include developing new drugs to combat disease or improving crop varieties.

Fabrication Network (PDF)
NSW research and development infrastructure in the field of fabrication, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing has been enhanced with the establishment of research infrastructure under the Australian National Fabrication Facility network. The laboratories provide external users from industry, research sector and government, with some of the leading research infrastructure and skills in the country.

Materials Characterisation (PDF)
Microscopy, microanalysis, imaging and nuclear science are important components of modern science, underpinning various disciplines such as engineering, environmental science and medical science. NSW has a large amount of research infrastructure dedicated to characterisation, which can be found in many of the State’s universities and at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The NSW Government has also provided funding to the NSW Synchrotron Consortium, a group of 10 NSW universities and 3 interstate universities that provides access to the Australian Synchrotron.