Australia races forwards with high precision positioning tech

June 25, 2026

Earth sciences, Environmental management and policy, Mineral resources, Transport

AuScope’s investment in geodesy has enabled a step-change in Australia’s national positioning capability, forming the backbone of Geoscience Australia’s National Positioning Infrastructure (NPI) and supporting the rollout of Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) services. By delivering a continent-wide network of GNSS stations and data systems, AuScope has underpinned a transition from metre-level to centimetre-level positioning accuracy—transforming how Australia measures, manages, and moves within its environment.

This uplift in precision—from ~5 metres to as little as 3 centimetres—has wide-ranging economic and societal impact. High-accuracy positioning now supports sectors including agriculture, mining, construction, transport, and emergency management, while enabling emerging technologies such as automation, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.
The Australian Government’s $160.9 million investment in SBAS reflects strong confidence in the national benefits of this capability. More broadly, AuScope-enabled infrastructure has demonstrated an estimated return on investment of approximately $15 for every $1 invested, highlighting the value of sustained NCRIS funding.
This case study illustrates how foundational research infrastructure delivers outsized national impact—driving productivity, supporting innovation, and positioning Australia as a global leader in advanced geospatial capability.

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