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Our online presence
Contact
- Publications
- News
- Policies and initiatives
Emissions reduction
Industry innovation and science
- Artificial intelligence
- Australian Radioactive Waste Agency
- Australian Space Agency
- Boosting innovation and science
- Co-hosting the Square Kilometre Array
- Increasing international collaboration
- Industry growth centres
- Industry Innovation and Science Australia
- National Measurement Institute
- Optical astronomy in Australia
- Participating in the digital economy
- Promoting innovation precincts
- Science in our department
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
Energy
Resources
Northern Australia
Trade
Business support
Measurement services
Government to government services
- Regulations and standards
Emissions reduction
Energy
Resources
- Applying to export rough diamonds
- Applying to export uranium and controlled ores
- Offshore mineral exploration and mining
- Offshore oil and gas exploration and development
- Offshore petroleum exploration acreage release process
- Regulating offshore oil and gas in Australian Commonwealth waters
- Regulating the Ranger Uranium Mine
- Taxes and royalties on minerals and petroleum
Measurement
Trade
Space industry
Building industry
Business support
- Funding and incentives
Emissions reduction
Industry innovation and science
- Australian Square Kilometre Array Fellowships Programme
- Business Research and Innovation Initiative
- Business-research collaboration
- Collaborating with Asia-Pacific on science, research and innovation
- Collaborating with China on science and research
- Collaborating with India on science and research
- Cooperative research centres
- Enabling international space investment
- Industry 4.0
- Inspiring Australia: Science engagement in Australia
- International research collaboration
- Moon to Mars: opportunities for Australian businesses
- Prime Minister's Prizes for Science
- Research and Development Tax Incentive
- Supporting advanced manufacturing
- Supporting business and innovation
- Supporting space infrastructure growth
- Transitioning Australia’s automotive manufacturing industry
- Venture capital
Resources
- About us
COVID-19
Jobs
Who we are
- Our Ministers
- Our Executive team
- Organisation chart
- Our portfolio agencies
- Overseas engagement
- Anti-Dumping Commission
- Anti-Dumping Review Panel
- Australian Radioactive Waste Agency
- Australian SKA Office
- Australian Space Agency
- Critical Minerals Facilitation Office
- National Measurement Institute
- Office of Innovation and Science Australia
- Office of Northern Australia
- Office of the Chief Economist
- Office of the Chief Scientist
Who we work with
Reporting and accountability
- Annual report
- Assurance and Audit Committee
- Budget statements
- Campaign Certification Statements
- Continuing Order of the Senate
- Corporate plan
- Deregulation agenda
- Freedom of information
- Gifts and benefits register
- Grants reporting
- Information Publication Scheme
- Our contracts
- Privacy impact assessments
- Public interest disclosure
- Senate Order 15: portfolio appointments and vacancies
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- Measurement standards
On this page
Measurement standards
Australia’s measurement system must be able to adapt to, service and enhance the productivity and growth of Australian industries.
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is the peak Australian measurement body responsible for biological, chemical, legal, physical and trade measurement.
The NMI:
- develops and maintains Australia’s primary measurement standards
- provides calibration, chemical and biological analyses for testing food, the environment, sports drugs, and forensic drugs
- supports and advises on measurements for legal purposes
- assists industries to develop new measurement methods
- administers Australia’s national trade measurement system
Standards and conformance
The NMI is part of Australia's standards and conformance infrastructure. They provide advice on measurement to the other members:
- National Association of Testing Authorities
- Standards Australia
- Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand
Australia's Standards and Conformance Infrastructure: An Essential Foundation explains the role each organisation holds in the measurement framework.
Research
The NMI contributes to the continuing development of physical, chemical and biological measurement standards and techniques. These improvements keep pace with advances in science and technology and the increasing demands of industry for greater accuracy in measurement.
Governments also require a broader range of measurements to fulfil their regulatory needs for food safety, the environment and trade.
The NMI:
- participates in international collaborations to improve how to define the kilogram, the accuracy of time and frequency measurements, and the standard of direct voltage
- develops leading-edge approaches to improve the accuracy of DNA and RNA measurements for clinical diagnostics
- improves the accuracy of measuring performance-enhancing drugs in athletes by developing detection methods and chemical reference materials
- improves the accuracy of physical measurement standards and techniques to further develop new technology and products
- researches emerging areas such as food allergens, genetically modified organisms, designer illicit drugs, newly identified pollutants, and greenhouse gases
Collaborative partnerships
The NMI works with:
- other members of the Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment to solve significant environmental issues
- the metrology institutes of Japan and the USA to improve the accuracy and reliability of quantum standards for direct (dc) and alternating (ac) voltage
- international metrology institutes on new, highly accurate methods and instruments for measuring the dimensions of nanoparticles
- law enforcement agencies to restrict the illicit drug trade in Australia
Future-proofing measurement standards
NMI conducts leading-edge research that anticipates new measurement technologies and applications. This research supports Australian Government initiatives such as energy efficiency and resource management.
The NMI supports growth areas by researching:
- nanoparticles to help industry and regulators understand and manage potential risks
- measurement solutions in environment, health and energy sectors
- how to improve measuring the quality and volume of water
Measurement Law Review
The Australian Government is conducting a review of Australia’s measurement laws. Changes in technology, industry and consumer needs call for a major rethink of Australia’s measurement framework to ensure it continues to support the Australian economy.
The Measurement Law Review marks the first comprehensive review of Australia’s measurement laws. The review will release six discussion papers for public consultation throughout 2018.
Read more
- We’re undertaking a review of measurement markings on packaging.
- Read National Measurement Institute news.
Contact us
- Email info@measurement.gov.au
- Phone 1800 020 076
Last updated: 8 December 2020
Content ID: 12766