Objective
Deliver world-class measurement standards and services that enhance innovation, increase industry competitiveness, facilitate trade, underpin regulation and improve the well-being of Australian society.
Significance for Australia
The value of measurements performed for trade, commerce, regulation, engineering, manufacturing, health, safety, environmental protection and scientific research is estimated at about 4% of GDP in industrialised economies, representing over $30 billion p.a. in an Australian context. The Australian measurement infrastructure provides the foundation for the legal and scientific integrity of these measurements and their acceptance by Australia’s trading partners.
Departmental role and current achievements
The National Measurement Institute realises, establishes and disseminates Australia’s standards of measurement, thereby supporting Australia’s standards and conformance infrastructure. It works with clients in industry and government to provide calibration services, chemical and biological analyses, pattern approval testing, training and consultancy services, and delivers more than 10,000 measurement and test reports each year. NMI also provides technical advice as input to policy development by Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies. NMI’s recent achievements include:
- participating in the international scientific collaboration to re-define the kilogram by providing silicon spheres of almost perfect roundness and surface finish to the project. This work was carried out jointly with CSIRO;
- supporting diagnostic methods for cancer detection by developing the capability to measure the degree of methylation of DNA in biological material, and demonstrating accuracy of our capability by exceptional performance in the first international comparison of these measurements;
- providing technical advice to the Department of Climate Change on measurement issues relating to greenhouse gas emissions monitoring framework being defined in the draft legislative instrument underpinning the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System;
- assisting the aircraft industry to improve the accuracy of high temperature measurements by developing a new class of temperature sensor;
- improving confidence in the time-stamping integrity of electronic transactions and data storage by developing and installing high-accuracy time systems on the IT networks of government and private organisations across Australia;
- supporting the environmental industry by developing an analytical suite for the testing of recycled water for drinking purposes.
Targets for 2008-09
- Implement the 3-year program to ensure a smooth and effective transition for national trade measurement system.
- Maintain Australia’s international profile in measurement science by hosting the 2008 meetings of the International Organization of Legal Metrology and the Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum.
- Facilitate innovation in Australian nano-technology industries by establishing supporting measurement infrastructure, including a nano-particle measurement laboratory and a metrological Atomic Force Microscope.
- Provide metrology services that are aligned with client needs and maintain and improve client satisfaction.
For further information
Phone: +61 2 8467 3651
Email: info@measurement.gov.au
Web: www.measurement.gov.au
May 2008