Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
CSIRO · Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
19 May 1949 – present
Previously Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (1926–1949).
Australia's national science agency, carrying out research and development for industry, the environment and the community in fields including agriculture, minerals and energy, manufacturing, health, oceans and atmosphere, space and digital technology.
Names over time
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research1926–1949
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation1949–present
How it came into existence
Created on 19 May 1949 under the Science and Industry Research Act 1949, which reconstituted the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization; secret defence research, including aeronautics, was moved to the Department of Supply and Development.
Reconstituted under the Science and Industry Research Act 1949, which amended the existing Act.
Legislation: Science and Industry Research Act 1949
Changes during its life
- 13 December 1966Moved from the Prime Minister's portfolio to the new Department of Education and Science.
- 19 December 1972Moved to the Department of Science.
- 6 June 1975Moved to the Department of Science and Consumer Affairs when the Department of Science was renamed.
- 22 December 1975Moved to the re-formed Department of Science.
- 5 December 1978Moved to the Department of Science and the Environment.
- 3 November 1980Moved to the Department of Science and Technology.
- 13 December 1984Moved to the Department of Science.
- 1986The Science and Industry Research Amendment Act 1986 replaced the executive with a board and a chief executive.
- 24 July 1987Moved to the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce.
- 24 March 1993Moved to the Department of Industry, Technology and Regional Development.
- 25 March 1994Moved to the Department of Industry, Science and Technology.
- 11 March 1996Moved to the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism.
- 21 October 1998Moved to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
- 26 November 2001Moved to the Department of Education, Science and Training.
- 3 December 2007Moved to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
- 14 December 2011Moved to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.
- 25 March 2013Moved to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.
- 18 September 2013Moved to the Department of Industry.
- 23 December 2014Moved to the Department of Industry and Science.
- 21 September 2015Moved to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
- 1 February 2020Moved to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
- 1 July 2022Moved to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
- Forest research
- Building technology research
Main functions
- Strategic and applied scientific research
- Research for primary and secondary industry
- National research facilities and collections
- Commercialisation of research
- Environmental, climate and ocean science
- Science education and outreach
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
- Type of body
- Corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Industry, Science and Resources
- Accountable authority
- Board of the Organisation – Science and Industry Research Act 1949 sections 8, 11-14A with reference to section 22(2) note
- ABN
- 41 687 119 230
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))