Informed decisions
Growing economic prosperity and social well-being
As the Australian Government’s trusted geoscientific organisation, Geoscience Australia produces 2D and 3D data, information and support tools that are publicly available to all through our online portals.
Our innovative tools and information are used by landholders, traditional owners, groundwater managers, natural hazard managers, environmental stewards, government, academia, industry and more.
The Exploring for the Future program has already demonstrated benefits from the first 4 years of the program (2016–20), especially in regional Australia.
Our work supports
- Effective evidence-based engagement and informed decision-making
- Community well-being, resilience and empowerment
Featured work
Mapping Australia's hydrogen Future
Hydrogen can be used for a variety of domestic and industrial purposes such as heating and cooking (as a replacement for natural gas), transportation (replacing petrol and diesel), and energy storage (by converting intermittent renewable energy into hydrogen). The key benefit of using hydrogen is that it is a clean fuel that emits only water vapour and heat when combusted.
Land access and Indigenous engagement for Australian geoscience
The Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program is unmatched for the scale of geoscience data acquisition across northern Australia, covering 37,648 individual land parcels and 2.9 million km². The scale of works has raised many new challenges for Geoscience Australia through the diverse range of field activities, and the numerous stakeholders from different social and cultural backgrounds, across multiple jurisdictions.
AusAEM: imaging the near-surface from the world’s largest airborne electromagnetic survey
Real advances in understanding geology for mineral, energy and groundwater resource potential of the Australian continent will come from unveiling what lies at depth, especially in the extensive under-explored regions that are obscured by cover.
Exploring for the Future in 3D
Geoscience Australia has been acquiring 3D datasets over many years, however they often require specialist software and high-end computing capabilities to use. To make 3D more widely available, we have developed a browser-based 3D viewer.
Case studies
Our case studies showcase our work, community stories, and emerging benefits and impacts of the Exploring for the Future program.
Other impact areas
The economic value of government precompetitive geoscience data and analysis for Australia's Resources Industry
Deloitte Access Economics (2023)
The economic value of government precompetitive geoscience data and analysis for Australia's hydrogen industry
Deloitte Access Economics (2023)
Water security
Improved water security for households, agriculture and industry.
Understanding what lies beneath
The Australian Government’s Exploring for the Future program, led by Geoscience Australia, is dedicated to supporting a strong economy, resilient society and sustainable environment for the benefit of Australians through an integrated geoscientific understanding of our mineral, energy and groundwater resource potential.
Launched in 2016, the first 4 years of the program (2016–20) initially focused on northern Australia. Based on the program’s success it was extended (2020–24) and expanded across the whole of Australia.
Drawing together data, science and innovative techniques and technology, the program enables us to map undercover and underexplored areas. This in turn encourages new investment in ‘greenfield’ areas by providing security and certainty to our minerals, energy and agriculture sectors as we transition towards a sustainable, low-emissions future.
The evidence gathered through the program is already translating into real impacts, providing industry and communities with vital information they need to confidently plan, make better informed decisions and invest in new developments.
The Exploring for the Future impact pathway summarises how the program will realise its vision.
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Get in touch
Have a question about the Exploring for the Future program or need help with using our data? Email us at clientservices@ga.gov.au or call 1800 800 173.
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