Institutional Framework
The principle government agencies financed by the Australian Ministry of Science are;
- Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST);
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO);
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO);
- Australian Research Council (ARC);
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS);
- Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO);
- NHMRC; Australian Academy of Science.
DEST
DEST provides national leadership and works in collaboration with the States and Territories, industry, other agencies and the community in support of the Government’s objectives. It develops and implements policies to ensure the continuing relevance of education, science and training to contemporary needs and the growing requirement for lifelong learning. It also ensure high quality and value for money in delivering Government funded programmes.The Department of Education, Science and Training is involved with a wide range of policy and issues relating to the following areas:
CSIRO
CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. The six strategic goals in the plan of CSIRO are:
- focusing science investment
- delivering world-class science
- partnering for community impact
- serving as a catalyst for industry innovation
- building one-CSIRO capabilities and commitments
- securing a financial foundation for growth
CSIRO is developing and improving new and existing technologies in Australia and overseas, and improving the understanding and appreciation of science in the community.
ANSTO
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is Australia 's national nuclear research and development organization and the centre of Australian nuclear expertise and it is responsible for delivering specialised advice, scientific services and products to government, industry, academia and other research organizations.
ANSTO's nuclear infrastructure includes the research reactor, HIFAR (High Flux Australian Reactor), particle accelerators, radiopharmaceutical production facilities, and a range of other unique research facilities. HIFAR is Australia 's only nuclear reactor. It is used to produce radioactive products for use in medicine and industry, as a source of neutron beams for scientific research and to irradiate silicon for semiconductor applications.
ANSTO also operates the National Medical Cyclotron, an accelerator facility used to produce certain short-lived radioisotopes for nuclear medicine procedures. It also manages Australian synchrotron facilities at a number of overseas locations.
ARC
The Australian Research Council (ARC) plays a key role in the Australian Government’s investment in the future prosperity and well-being of the Australian community. The ARC’s mission is to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake quality research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the Australian community.
Established as an independent body under the Australian Research Council Act 2001, the ARC reports to the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP
Under Backing Australia’s Ability, the Australian Government’s 2001 innovation action plan, ARC funding increased by $736 million, doubling the funds for research by 2006. The ARC is the primary source of advice to the Government on investment in the national research effort. The ARC supports the highest quality research and research training through national competition in all fields of science, social sciences and the humanities; brokers partnerships between researchers and industry, government, community organizations and the international community.
The ARC Linkage programs help to broker partnerships between researchers and industry, government and community organizations as well as the international community. The ARC Centres programs build research scale and focus and strengthen major research partnerships and networks.
AIMS
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) was established by the Commonwealth government in 1972 to generate and transfer the knowledge needed for the sustainable use and protection of the marine environment through innovative, world-class scientific and technological research.
AAO
The Anglo-Australian Observatory is an organization established in 1971 to provide world-class optical and infrared observing facilities for Australian and UK astronomers. It operates the largest optical/infrared telescope in Australia, the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope, and the UK Schmidt Telescope: both are located at Siding Spring Observatory. The AAO’s headquarters are in the Sydney suburb of Marsfield. The AAO has 68 staff and an annual operating budget of $10.8 M.
NHMRC
The NHMRC is Australia’s leading expert body promoting the development and maintenance of public and individual health standards.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) consolidates within a single national organization the often independent functions of research funding and development of advice. One of its strengths is that it brings together and draws upon the resources of all components of the health system, including governments, medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals, researchers, teaching and research institutions, public and private program managers, service administrators, community health organizations, social health researchers and consumers.The Act sets down four statutory obligations on the directions taken by NHMRC. These obligations are:
- to raise the standard of individual and public health throughout Australia ;
- to foster the development of consistent health standards between the various States and Territories;
- to foster medical research and training and public health research and training throughout Australia ; and
- to foster consideration of ethical issues relating to health.
AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
The objectives of the Academy are to promote science through a range of activities. It has defined four major program areas:
- recognition of outstanding contributions to science
- education and public awareness
- science policy
- international relations.
The Academy is Australia's representative on the International Council for Science (ICSU) and many of its constituent organizations. The Academy supports delegates to business meetings and provides information about ICSU within Australia. At any time about 300 Australians hold honorary offices in ICSU organizations. The Academy operates an international scientific collaborations program to improve Australian access to global science and technology in North America, Europe and North East Asia. The program gives Australian researchers the opportunity to collaborate with foreign colleagues, widen research perspectives and experience, to exchange ideas, to be recognised in the international arena, to gain information and knowledge of techniques that will stimulate and advance Australian research, and to be involved in large international projects.