Defence Science and Technology Organisation
DSTO
1974 – 1 July 2015
Renamed Defence Science and Technology Group in 2015.
Science and technology organisation within the Department of Defence that conducted defence research, gave scientific advice and supported the acquisition and operation of defence capability through laboratories in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.
Names over time
- Defence Science and Technology Organisation1974–2015
- Defence Science and Technology Group2015–present
How it came into existence
Formed in 1974 within the Department of Defence after the Department of Supply was abolished, combining the Australian Defence Scientific Service and its laboratories with the scientific units of the Department of Defence and the former service departments.
- Defence research laboratories and establishments
- Scientific units of the Department of Defence and the former service departments
Changes during its life
- 1978The Weapons Research Establishment at Salisbury was dissolved and its divisions reorganised as laboratories of the Defence Research Centre Salisbury.
- 1994Laboratories consolidated; the Aeronautical Research Laboratories and Materials Research Laboratories merged as the Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory.
- 2002Laboratories regrouped into the Platforms Sciences, Systems Sciences and Information Sciences laboratories.
- Salisbury weapons systems, electronics and engineering research laboratories
How it ended
Renamed the Defence Science and Technology Group on 1 July 2015, following the First Principles Review of Defence.
Main functions
- Defence research and development
- Scientific and technical advice to Defence
- Support for capability acquisition and sustainment
- Weapons, platforms and systems research
- Trials and evaluation
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Defence.
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to 30 November 2015)
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.