Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, conducts research that benefits the country’s economy and industry. CSIRO ranks as Australia’s largest scientific research body. It employs thousands of scientists and support staff. Most of the organization’s funding comes from the federal government. CSIRO maintains headquarters in Canberra and operates dozens of research sites throughout the country.
CSIRO divides its activities into three major research groups: (1) Agribusiness, (2) Information, Manufacturing, and Minerals, and (3) Sustainable Energy and Environment. Agribusiness conducts research in such areas as agriculture, entomology (the study of insects), forestry, horticulture (the study of plants), nutrition, and textiles. Information, Manufacturing, and Minerals includes astronomy, communications, mathematics, medical science, mining, and physics. Sustainable Energy and Environment manages projects that improve the country’s energy technology and protect its natural resources.
The Science and Industry Research Act of 1949 established CSIRO. The organization replaced the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which had been founded in 1926.
