CSIRO


The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is an Australian Government agency that is responsible for scientific research and its commercial and industrial applications. From its headquarters in Canberra, CSIRO maintains more than 50 sites across Australia, as well as in France and the United States, and employs 6,618 staff as of 2024.
Federally-funded scientific research in Australia began in 1916 with the creation of the Advisory Council of Science and Industry, which was renamed to Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry in 1920. However, both bodies struggled due to insufficient funding. In 1926, research efforts were revitalised with the establishment of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, which strengthened national science leadership and increased research funding. CSIR grew rapidly, achieving significant early successes. In 1949, legislative changes led to the renaming of the organisation as Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
Among the developments by CSIRO have been the invention of atomic absorption spectroscopy, essential components of early Wi-Fi technology, the first commercially successful polymer banknote, the invention of the insect repellent Aerogard, and the introduction of a series of biological controls into Australia, such as myxomatosis and rabbit calicivirus for the control of rabbit populations.

Structure

CSIRO is governed by a board appointed by the Australian Government, currently chaired by Ming Long AM. There are eight directors inclusive of the chief executive, presently Doug Hilton, who are responsible for management of the organisation.

Research and focus areas

CSIRO is structured into Research Business Units, National Facilities and Collections, and Services.

Research Business Units

As at 2023, CSIRO's research areas are identified as "Impact science" and organised into the following Business Units:
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Health and Biosecurity
  • Data61
  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Mineral Resources
  • Space and Astronomy
  • Environment

    National facilities and collections

National facilities

CSIRO manages national research facilities and scientific infrastructure on behalf of the nation to assist with the delivery of research. The national facilities and specialised laboratories are available to both international and Australian users from industry and research. As at 2019, the following National Facilities are listed:
CSIRO manages a number of collections of animal and plant specimens that contribute to national and international biological knowledge. The National Collections contribute to taxonomic, genetic, agricultural and ecological research. As at 2019, CSIRO's Collections are listed as the following:
In 2019, CSIRO Services are itemised as follows:
  • Materials and infrastructure services
  • Agricultural and environmental analysis
  • Environmental services
  • Biological, food and medical science services
  • Australian Animal Health Laboratory services
Other services are noted as including education, publishing, infrastructure technologies, Small and Medium Enterprise engagement and CSIRO Futures.

History

Evolution of the organisation

In In 1915, prime minister Billy Hughes convened a conference in order to establish the Advisory Council of Science and Industry, which was established in 1916. Geologist and polar explorer Sir Douglas Mawson represented the University of Adelaide at the conference, and in early 1916 participated in the first executive meetings of the new body, in which its charter and operational procedures were established. The goal of the Advisory Council was the establishment of a permanent "Institute of Science and Industry".
However, the advisory council struggled with insufficient funding during the First World War. In 1920 the council was renamed the Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry, established by the Institute of Science and Industry Act 1920. This body was led by George Handley Knibbs, but continued to struggle financially.
Implementing the 1923 Imperial Conference's call for colonies to broaden their economic base, in 1926 the Australian Parliament modified the principal Act for national scientific research by passing the Science and Industry Research Act 1926. The same conference led to the creation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand.
The new Act replaced the institute with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. With encouragement from prime minister Stanley Bruce, strengthened national science leadership and increased research funding, CSIR grew rapidly and achieved significant early successes. The council was structured to represent the federal structure of government in Australia, and had state-level committees and a central council. In addition to an improved structure, CSIR benefited from strong bureaucratic management under George Julius, David Rivett, and Arnold Richardson. Research focused on primary and secondary industries. Early in its existence, CSIR established divisions studying animal health and animal nutrition. After the Great Depression, research was extended into manufacturing and other secondary industries.
In 1949 the Act was changed again, and the entity name amended to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. The amendment enlarged and reconstituted the organisation and its administrative structure. Under Ian Clunies Ross as chairman, CSIRO pursued new areas such as radio astronomy and industrial chemistry. In 1952, its five key areas were reported as being: industrial microbiology; research of rare minerals; solar energy; finding out what causes lamb and cow infertility; and, lastly agricultural engineering.
CSIRO still operates under the provisions of the 1949 Act in a wide range of scientific inquiry.
Participation by women in CSIRO research was severely limited by the Australian government policy, in place until 1966, forcing women public servants out of their jobs when they married. Even unmarried women were considered a poor investment because they might eventually marry. Single women such as Helen Newton Turner nevertheless made major contributions.
Since 1949, CSIRO has expanded its activities to almost every field of primary, secondary and tertiary industry, including the environment, human nutrition, conservation, urban and rural planning, and water. It works with leading organisations around the world and maintains more than 50 sites across Australia and in France, Chile and the United States of America, employing about 5500 people.
In 2016 CSIRO launched its "Innovation Catalyst" Strategy which focused on solving Australia's Innovation Dilemma, it generated $10,000,000,000 more social, economic, and environmental value than any prior strategy, and trained 3,500 researchers from across 32 Universities on the process of innovation, and became the first Australian entity of any kind to reach the Thomson Reuters Global Top 25 Innovators.
In March 2025, research from Pollster DemosAU identified the CSIRO as Australia's second most trusted national institution, behind the Bureau of Meteorology.

Achievements

  • National Research "Flagships" launched in 2003, expanded 2007 to $250,000,000 in research funding
  • Sues Global Chip makers over WiFi Patent infringement 2005, wins $205,000,000 in 2009, and $105,000,000 by 2016
  • Dr Cathy Foley becomes CSIRO's first Chief Scientist in 2018, then Australia's Chief Scientist in 2021
  • CSIRO becomes first Australian entity to reach the Thomson Reuters Global Top 25 Innovators, beating NASA in 2018
  • Health Business Unit is created in 2016, enables scale up and, in partnership with CSL, mass production of Australia's only COVID vaccine in 2020, and invests $450,000,000 to create Australian Center for Disease Preparedness
  • CSIRO makes first acquisition, NICTA creating Australia's largest Digital and AI group
  • "ON" becomes Australia's first National Science Accelerator, training 3,500 university researchers across 33 institutions, and beating the prestigious US iCorps program by 2018, with 300% higher financial outcomes, diversity, and innovation ecosystem penetration
  • Female leadership doubles by 2020, bringing CSIRO into the Sage "green" zone for gender equity for first time in 100y
  • CSIRO marches in Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for first time, CEO joins
  • Main Sequence Ventures is created in 2017 as first Venture Capital fund inside government, becomes $1,000,000,000 top-quartile global fund
  • By 2023 "Innovation Catalyst" strategy creates $10,000,000,000 more value than any prior strategy, and $400,000,000 per year greater investment in science
  • CSIRO wins Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brand for first time in 2022
  • CSIRO achieves first emissions reduction in 100y, reaching 83% of Net Zero by 2022

    Inventions

Notable inventions and breakthroughs by CSIRO include: