Australia’s national environmental research infrastructure delivering billions in benefits

A new report from Lateral Economics estimates that Australia’s national environmental research infrastructure delivers more than $1.5 billion per year in scientific, economic and societal benefits. 

Commissioned by 15 Integrated Earth research infrastructure facilities, the study presents an integrated assessment of the collective value of Australia’s major environmental research infrastructure facilities. These facilities –supported primarily through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) – enable cutting-edge research, underpin government policy, and support industry. 

The value delivered includes:  

• Environmental and farm system management through improved monitoring, modelling, and decision-making 
• National resilience in responding to climate change, natural hazards, and resource pressures 
• Industry innovation by enabling new tools, technologies, and productivity gains 
• Scientific advancement through publications, data infrastructure, and global collaboration 

The report found an average benefit-cost ratio of 6.8 for NCRIS environmental research infrastructures, meaning that every $1 invested generates $6.80 in benefits. These facilities may effectively pay for themselves—with the economic activity generated returning more than one dollar in tax revenue for every dollar of public funding invested, while also delivering broader community benefits. 

Detailed case studies reinforce the strong return on investment, including: 

1. Atlas of Living Australia (ALA): improved data access, policy support, and biodiversity outcomes 
2. Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN): significant agricultural productivity gains, including water savings and crop improvement 
3. Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN): enhanced ecosystem monitoring, carbon accounting, and land management 

Each case demonstrates substantial economic and societal value, with benefit–cost ratios ranging from approximately 3.8 to 7.0.

“This impact assessment is an important step in quantifying the value and impact of our national research infrastructure after over a decade of operation – understanding their national role, economic return and key beneficiaries helps us better plan for the next decade,” ALA Director, Dr Andre Zerger, said. 

“These facilities collaborate across science, industry and government to ensure national investments deliver maximum scientific, economic and societal value,” TERN Director, Dr Beryl Morris, said.  

The report used an OECD methodology based on Core Impact Indicators (CIIs) covering scientific outcomes (e.g., publications and citations), innovation impacts (e.g., industry collaborations), educational outreach, support for public policy, economic contributions, and sustainability 

“It’s always a challenge to quantify the benefits of research infrastructure given their non-linear outcomes, time lags, direct and indirect impacts, diversity, broad societal impacts and the many outcomes produced by users and this study has delivered that,” APPN Director, Dr Richard Dickmann, said. 

“It’s all too easy for the infrastructure to operate in the background, but they’re what powers our nationally important research breakthroughs, science impact and everyday societal benefits.” 

“There is a strong emphasis on collaboration and interconnectedness among our national environmental research infrastructures, and other NCRIS organisations, fostering new research projects and knowledge and addressing gaps in data or services for researchers,” APPN Director, Dr Richard Dickmann, said. 

One of the key assets generated is data. Aggregated and curated data were consistently highlighted as significant and enduring assets, growing in value through time, for the research community, government, and industry. For example, accessible, high-quality biodiversity data powers environmental management, biosecurity monitoring, and threatened species conservation.

National research infrastructure 

As Australia faces increasing environmental and economic challenges, the report underscores the importance of sustained investment in national research infrastructure. 

By enabling collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making, our national environmental research infrastructure facilities are positioned as a cornerstone of Australia’s research and innovation system.  

“Collaboration sits at the heart of Australia’s research system,” said AAF Chief Executive Officer Heath Marks.

“AAF is proud to enable trusted access to the services that help researchers collaborate across institutions and disciplines. That collaboration enables research into ecology and the environment that addresses one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change.” 

Examples of benefits delivered