NMI is responsible for national functions in physical, legal, chemical and biological measurement. Our mission is to provide world-class measurement standards and services for the Australian Government and industry.
Functions
NMI is responsible for Australia's units and standards of measurement and for realising those units of measurement through the development and maintenance of standards of measurement, reference materials and reference techniques. It represents Australia in international weights and measures organisations (BIPM and OIML).
Meeting the measurement needs of government, industry and scientific organisations for calibration, measurement, analysis and training are key functions of NMI. The products and services section of this website provides more information.
NMI is an important element of Australia's standards and conformance infrastructure and provides advice on measurement to the other members, the National Association of Testing Authorities, Standards Australia and the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand.
NMI works with state and territory trade measurement authorities to promote uniformity in national trade measurement policy and practice and to overcome barriers to trade that have a basis in measurement. In April 2007 it was announced that the Commonwealth would assume responsibility for trade, and subsequently NMI was given responsibility for administering the national system. The transition period for the transfer of responsibility from the States and Territories to the Commonwealth is three years, with the new system commencing on 1 July 2010.
NMI is a research-based organisation. Research is necessary to support all the functions of NMI. It is important part of the continuous development of physical, chemical and biological measurement standards and techniques. This continuing development is needed to meet advances in science and technology and the increasing demands of industry for greater accuracy in measurement. Governments also require a broader range of measurements to fulfil their regulatory needs in matters such as food safety, the environment and trade.
Structure
NMI was established on 1 July 2004 to take responsibility for the Australian Government's measurement functions as described in the National Measurement Act 1960. It was formed by bringing together CSIRO's National Measurement Laboratory, the National Standards Commission and the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories.
NMI operates from a number of sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and is organised into six main branches: chemical and biological metrology, physical metrology, analytical services, legal metrology, business services and national trade measurement.
Administratively, NMI is a division of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. The Chief Metrologist is appointed by the Secretary and has functions conferred on him or her under the National Measurement Act and the National Measurement Regulations.
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Job opportunities
Click here for details of employment opportunities within NMI and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.