KEY POINTS
- NMI is responsible for physical, chemical, biological and legal metrology. NMI maintains and develops Australia's national standards of measurement and provides traceability to international and national standards underpinning measurements used in trade and industry. NMI also develops reference standards for developing and calibrating chemical and biological measurement.
- NMI provides technical advice to government agencies on policies involving measurement matters. The policy issues relate to almost all aspects of life and include health, environment, utilities, communications, manufacturing and service industries, policing and defence.
- NMI's services include calibration at the highest level of accuracy, pattern (type) approval of measuring instruments and a broad range of chemical measurements to support industry and government. These include the food and environmental industries, the detection of drugs used in sport, and illicit drugs.
- NMI also works with industry to develop new and more accurate measurements and to transfer technology to clients. As part of its work in managing Australia's units and standards of measurement, NMI represents Australia on international measurement committees under the Metre Treaty and the International Organisation for Legal Metrology.
- NMI will receive funding during 2009-2013 for metrology (measurement science) applied to nano- and biotechnologies under the National Enabling Technologies Strategy. As part of this funding, some laboratory space at NMI's Lindfield site will be refurbished to accommodate the bio-measurement work, which will be transferred from its current location at NMI's Pymble premises. Existing nano-metrology facilities at Lindfield will be upgraded.
- NMI has approximately 370 staff (mostly scientists) located in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Perth. NMI's Head Office is located in the Sydney suburb of West Lindfield.
- NMI has the task of implementing the 2007 Council of Australian Governments' decision to transfer responsibility for the states and territories trade weights and measures systems to the Commonwealth. This transition to a national system of trade measurement will be completed by 30 June 2010 and NMI will manage the system thereafter.
FACTS AND FIGURES
NMI was established on 1 July 2004 and is an operating division of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
NMI carries out statutory functions under the National Measurement Act 1960 in relation to Australia’s standards of measurement and related metrological responsibilities.
NMI's annual expenditure is about $66 million of which about $33 million is gained from external revenue activities.
NMI is a research based organisation. In 2008-09, NMI produced 101 technical publications of which 43 were peer reviewed.