National marine research infrastructure: an enabler for Australia’s sustainable ocean future

Australia’s oceans face rapid climate and coastal changes, impacting national productivity, prosperity, security, and well-being. Healthy, resilient, and sustainably managed oceans require future-ready, national marine research infrastructure to support maritime industries, biodiversity conservation, climate forecasting and adaptation, and coastal development. Marine research infrastructure provides the foundations for scientific discovery, international collaboration, knowledge exchange across sectors, marine STEM training, and more. Over the past 10 years, national marine research infrastructure has been strengthened through strategic national-scale investments, improved coordination, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies. However, substantial challenges remain that constrain Australia’s sovereign capability, maritime security, economic progress, leadership, and preparedness for emerging challenges. This paper identifies the current state of Australia’s marine research infrastructure, examines key barriers and enablers, and outlines priority actions for the next decade to meet current and growing needs. Key actions to deliver and sustain a future-ready marine research infrastructure include embedding Indigenous priorities and rights in planning and use, scaling-up and securing long-term research vessel capability, modernising research infrastructure, maintaining and expanding observing systems to fill critical gaps, exploring sovereign satellite capacity, advancing sensor technologies, strengthening coordination and governance across research infrastructure capabilities, and building a skilled workforce.