CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government agency that is responsible for scientific research and its commercial and industrial applications. From its headquarters in Canberra, CSIRO maintains more than 50 sites across Australia, as well as in France and the United States, and employs 6,618 staff as of 2024.

Federally-funded scientific research in Australia began in 1916 with the creation of the Advisory Council of Science and Industry, which was renamed to Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry in 1920. However, both bodies struggled due to insufficient funding. In 1926, research efforts were revitalised with the establishment of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which strengthened national science leadership and increased research funding. CSIR grew rapidly, achieving significant early successes. In 1949, legislative changes led to the renaming of the organisation as Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Among the developments by CSIRO have been the invention of atomic absorption spectroscopy, essential components of early Wi-Fi technology, the first commercially successful polymer banknote, the invention of the insect repellent Aerogard, and the introduction of a series of biological controls into Australia, such as myxomatosis and rabbit calicivirus for the control of rabbit populations.