Australian Synchrotron

The Australian Synchrotron is operated by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The NZSG coordinates access for New Zealand researchers wishing to use this internationally significant research infrastructure that is not available in New Zealand.

MBIE funding details

NZSG receives Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) Infrastructure funding to manage New Zealand's participation in and access to the Australian Synchrotron on behalf of the research sector.

NZSG will receive $7.0 million (excluding GST) over five years from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031. This investment:

• contributes towards the annual access fees required to maintain New Zealand researchers' access to the Australian Synchrotron and its beamlines
• continues a long-standing investment partnership between MBIE and the New Zealand research sector, with MBIE's contribution matched by co-funding from participating research organisations
• supports access to internationally significant research infrastructure that would not be feasible to establish in New Zealand.

This investment builds on the previous SSIF Infrastructure investment contract between MBIE and the NZSG, under which MBIE contributed funding of $15.992 million (excluding GST) towards New Zealand's access to the Australian Synchrotron between 2017 and 2026. Continued investment by government enables New Zealand researchers to access advanced scientific capabilities and supports ongoing collaboration with Australia's national synchrotron facility.

About the investment

The Australian Synchrotron is a world-class scientific research facility located just outside of Melbourne. The synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator. It accelerates electrons to almost the speed of light, allowing researchers to undertake a large range of experiments along specially designed “beamlines”.