Discover our projects
![Outback](/_nuxt/image/985c44.jpg)
Watch an overview video about the Exploring for the Future program and its projects (3:30 min)
Program activities
Growing our understanding of Australia’s geology
From 2016 the Exploring for the Future program built on decades of Geoscience Australia’s knowledge and expertise to generate new science and characterise the geology of Australia from the surface down to great depths.
During 2020–24, 8 projects unlocked the potential of Australia’s groundwater, energy and mineral resources benefiting all Australians for decades to come. This included:
- 3 deep-dive projects in the geological regions of Officer–Musgrave–Birrindudu in central-west Australia, Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian in south-east Australia and Barkly–Isa–Georgetown in the north-east
- 3 continental-scale projects that have national applications but with a focus in southern Australia: Australia’s Resources Framework, National Groundwater Systems and Australia’s Future Energy Resources projects
- 2 program support projects: Enhanced Data Delivery and Geoscience Knowledge Sharing projects.
All our projects were collaborations with Commonwealth, state, territory and university partners, landholders and Traditional Owner groups; and leverage the capabilities of Australia’s world-leading Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector.
View the Exploring for the Future program’s organisational chart [PDF 90 KB], which presents all the projects and their related modules or project activities since the program began in 2016.
Deep-dive projects
![Broken Hill NSW, Australia](/_nuxt/image/aa4677.jpeg)
Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian
The Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian project delivered new data and knowledge to assess mineral and groundwater potential and support water management across western New South Wales and Victoria, eastern South Australia and northwest Tasmania.
![Outback landscape with trees in the distance](/_nuxt/image/ffd45b.jpg)
Officer–Musgrave–Birrindudu
The Officer–Musgrave–Birrindudu project investigated the energy and groundwater potential of the Officer Basin, the adjoining Musgrave Province and nearby Birrindudu Basin.
![Train Range Ironstone Member on a EFTF field trip in the South Nicholson region](/_nuxt/image/4778c6.jpeg)
Barkly–Isa–Georgetown
The Barkly–Isa–Georgetown project focused on the undercover regions between Tennant Creek, Mount Isa and Georgetown, delivering new data and knowledge on the mineral and energy potential in these areas and maximising opportunities for resource sector investment in the region.
National projects
![Helicopter landing after day of field work, kicking up dust and debris](/_nuxt/image/80bd13.jpg)
Australia’s Resources Framework
This project laid the foundations for a national view of Australia’s surface and subsurface geology, underpinning our understanding of the continent’s mineral, energy and groundwater potential.
![Image of water tank in a dry golden landscape](/_nuxt/image/564602.jpeg)
National Groundwater Systems
The National Groundwater Systems project improved understanding of Australia’s groundwater resources to better support responsible groundwater management and secure groundwater resources into the future.
![Aerial view of Brisbane at night](/_nuxt/image/c100d9.jpeg)
Australia’s Future Energy Resources
Australia’s Future Energy Resources project investigated the national potential for new sediment-hosted energy resources, including oil, natural gas and hydrogen, that can support Australia’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050.
Support projects
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Enhanced Data Delivery
The Enhanced Data Delivery project supported the Exploring for the Future program in digital transformation and data infrastructure, building on the robust and flexible systems developed through other innovative programs across Geoscience Australia.
![Close-up of young aboriginal people sitting around a table together outdoors in the sun in Australia.](/_nuxt/image/35a073.jpeg)
Geoscience Knowledge Sharing
The Geoscience Knowledge Sharing project supported the Exploring for the Future program in establishing relationships and enhancing our engagement with the diverse stakeholders and communities, where the program operated, including remote and First Nations Australian communities, farmers and rural towns.
Science that creates impact and drives innovation
According to a 2023 Deloitte Access Economics report, government geoscience data and analysis supported $76b of added value to the economy in 2021-22, or 3.5% of GDP. Learn more about how the program has realised impact
![EFTF Showcase](/_nuxt/image/787156.jpg)
2024 Showcase
Geoscience Australia will hold the final Exploring for the Future online public Showcase during 13–16 August 2024, marking the conclusion of the 8-year program and celebrating its enduring legacy. Geoscience experts will highlight impacts, benefits and achievements, new scientific insights and a comprehensive collection of precompetitive geoscience outputs, including transformed national datasets, improved mineral, energy, and groundwater resources assessments, unravelled regional geology, new decision support tools and more. Everyone is welcome!