Research and development focused community

Tasmanian companies invest heavily into research and development and our innovators regularly receive national and international acclaim. 

We are an island of innovation, demonstrated by our ideas, energy, resourcefulness and tenacity.  Tasmanian businesses collaborate extensively both globally and locally with knowledge institutions, industry leaders and policy makers.

Tasmania is home to a range of leading-edge research and learning organisations. The University of Tasmania is one of Australia's top 10 research universities. Tasmania's research bodies make a significant contribution to the local economy and the industries that they support, through research, development and scientific advice.

Tasmania offers extensive research capabilities for your business with industry, government and the university having formed many different partnerships and innovation clusters including:

• The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.  The CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) houses Australia's leading regional climate change modelling research teams, and aims to advance Australian climate, marine and earth systems science. CMAR staff is located around Australia with the headquarters located in Hobart, Tasmania.
• The CSIRO Intelligent Sensing and Systems Laboratory is developing a world-class ICT research capacity and conducting innovative applied research in the areas of sensor networks and data management. Their research is strategically aligned with the National Research Flagships program addressing issues of national significance.
• Australian Antarctic Division – AAD leads Australia's Antarctic program in ensuring the country's Antarctic interests are advanced.
• Menzies Research Institute which conducts world-class medical research.
• The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture - TIA has brought together the human and physical resources of Tasmania's two major agricultural research and development providers – University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, to create a centre of excellence in cool-climate agriculture research.
• Australian Maritime College – AMC is Australia's institute for maritime education, training and research.
• Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre – ACE CRC, a partnership among universities, Commonwealth and State research agencies and policy and industry sectors, focuses on Antarctic and Southern Ocean research.
• Human Interface Technology Lab Australia - HITLab AU is a research and teaching facility within the School of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Tasmania.
• Australian Innovation Research Centre - AIRC researches key issues in innovation performance and economic development.
• IMAS – Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.

Many innovations have developed into whole industries, including essential oil refinement, aquaculture, lightning protection, fast ferries and life raft systems.

Further supporting our research and development focus is Tasmania's geographic, demographic and economic diversity along with our size, resulting in an ideal test bed location.  Providing a robust, representative and easily accessible sample population, Tasmania is often sought out to test and adapt products for a western market.