Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources

What Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources does

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is an Australian Government federal department established in 2015, operating under the Public Service Act 1999 as the central policy body for industry development, science and technology, energy, and resources. It is wholly owned by the Australian Government and funded through annual parliamentary appropriations rather than commercial revenue. The department serves a broad stakeholder base including Australian businesses (from SMBs accessing AusIndustry services to enterprises requiring Major Projects Facilitation Agency support), research institutions, the resource and energy sector, and international government partners across eight overseas counsellor posts in Washington DC, Beijing, Brussels, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Jakarta, Tokyo, and Seoul.

Its core offering is a portfolio of 19 interconnected entities and programs rather than a single product. These include regulatory bodies (Anti-Dumping Commission, Anti-Dumping Review Panel, NOPSEMA, National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator), scientific institutions (National Measurement Institute, Australian SKA Office, ANSTO, Australian Space Agency, Questacon), technology initiatives (AI Safety Institute, National AI Centre, AI.gov.au), trade and investment facilitation (Investor Front Door, Major Projects Facilitation Agency, business.gov.au), and grant programs (Critical Technologies Challenge Program, Women in Science and Engineering, Industry Growth Program, Business Research and Innovation Initiative). Underlying technology spans AI safety evaluation (frontier model testing across text, image, video, and multimodal systems), quantum sensing and computing applications, measurement standards science, and supply chain risk analytics. The department also leads Australia's participation in international fora including the Quad Critical Minerals Strategic Advisory Group and NAAIMES.

The business model is appropriation-based with no commercial pricing, though certain regulatory services (NMI testing, anti-dumping investigation fees) carry statutory charges. Go-to-market is direct engagement via field-based AusIndustry regional managers for mid-market, self-service through business.gov.au and AI.gov.au portals for SMBs, and dedicated engagement managers via the Investor Front Door for transformational enterprise projects over $20 million. International partnerships and trade facilitation are delivered through the eight counsellor network and bilateral frameworks with the US, Canada, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, China, and the EU. Recent strategic emphasis has been on AI safety governance, critical minerals supply chain resilience, and the Future Made in Australia industrial agenda.

Name

Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources

Legal name

Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Website

https://industry.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is an Australian Government federal department that administers industry, science, energy, and resources policy through 19 portfolio entities and 8 overseas counsellor posts, serving Australian businesses, researchers, and international trade partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Industry Policy Services

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (92613)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration (BPAIAAAL), Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Government industry policy
• Science and innovation programs
• Critical minerals strategy
• Trade remedies regulation
• Research grants funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriation: The department is funded through annual government budget appropriations to fulfill its mandate of enabling a productive economy enriched by science and technology for Australians. It does not generate commercial revenue but administers various grant programs funded by budget allocations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is an Australian Government federal department that develops and delivers national policy, regulatory functions, and industry support programs across industry innovation, science and technology, energy, and resources. It administers grant programs (Industry Growth Program, Women in STEM, Critical Technologies Challenge Program), operates regulatory bodies (Anti-Dumping Commission, National Measurement Institute), facilitates major project investment (Major Projects Facilitation Agency, Investor Front Door), and leads technology initiatives such as the AI Safety Institute and National AI Centre.

Product overview

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is an Australian Government department offering a portfolio of interconnected programs, agencies, and services rather than a single commercial product. The core offering includes regulatory bodies (Anti-Dumping Commission, Anti-Dumping Review Panel), scientific institutions (National Measurement Institute, Australian SKA Office), technology initiatives (AI Safety Institute, National AI Centre under the National AI Plan), and industry support services (AusIndustry, Major Projects Facilitation Agency, Investor Front Door). These entities work together to support Australian industry innovation, manage resources and trade, advance technology adoption, and strengthen supply chain resilience. The department also administers grant programs including the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program, Critical Technologies Challenge Program, and Industry Growth Program to foster innovation across Australian industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Australian AI Safety Institute Australia's first dedicated AI safety body that monitors, tests, and analyses advanced AI capabilities, risks, harms and trends, supports regulators and agencies in responding to AI risks, and participates in international joint testing exercises through NAAIMES.
• National AI Centre The Australian Government's lead body supporting industry to unlock economic benefits of AI. Develops and shares clear, practical guidance to help organisations make informed decisions about AI adoption and supports responsible AI practices.
• Anti-Dumping Commission

Quantifiable outcome

• Gas surplus of 13-20 petajoules expected for Q4 2026 on east coast, 7 PJ better than 2025 forecasts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of Vietnam (AVSTICI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Australia-Vietnam Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Initiative (AVSTICI) is a joint pilot program administered by the Australian Academy of Science under the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The initiative funds joint research projects in new and renewable technologies, sustainable blue economy, and recycling and waste management, with Australian grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 over 24 to 36 months.
• United Kingdom AI Safety InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Australia and UK signed a memorandum of understanding recognizing cooperation between the two countries' AI safety and security institutes through the AI Seoul Summit process.
• Loughan Technology GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Awarded $2.4 million in stage 2 funding through the Critical Technologies Challenge Program for quantum technology demonstration projects in energy network optimization.
• La Trobe UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Awarded $1.1 million in stage 2 funding through the Critical Technologies Challenge Program for quantum technology projects.
• MiniprobesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Awarded $1.2 million in stage 2 funding through the Critical Technologies Challenge Program for rare-earth element detection quantum technology in mining applications.
• CSIRO (Quantum Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026The Critical Technologies Challenge Program aligns with Australia's National Quantum Strategy and supports innovation in quantum computing for cancer diagnosis and other applications.
• NAAIMES (International Network for Advanced AI Measurement)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Australia is a founding member of NAAIMES. The network conducts joint testing of frontier AI systems to improve ability to measure AI capabilities and risks, contributing to international AI safety science.
• CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Signed Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals Collaboration to improve cooperation and trade between Australia and Canada in critical minerals and rare earths.
• United States (Critical Minerals Framework)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Australia and the United States signed a landmark bilateral framework on critical minerals to achieve resilience and security in critical minerals and rare earths supply chains under the US-Australia Framework for Securing Supply.
• Australian Signals DirectoratecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2025The AI Safety Institute works with technical partners including the Australian Signals Directorate for AI safety research and evaluation capabilities. Also collaborates with CSIRO on AI safety and security initiatives.
• CSIROcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2025The AI Safety Institute engages with CSIRO for technical expertise in AI safety and security research, working alongside domestic and international experts.
• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Australia participates in the Quad Critical Minerals Strategic Advisory Group as part of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to address supply chain risks and promote ethical practice.
• Wajarri YamajicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Australian SKA Office partners with the Wajarri Yamaji people to construct the SKA telescope on their Country at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara (sharing the sky and stars), negotiated through an indigenous land use agreement.
• United KingdomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joint Statement on Australia-UK Offshore Decommissioning Cooperation establishing partnerships with other governments to collaborate and share knowledge on decommissioning activity.
• Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborating on the $50.5 million Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub to support research and development in critical minerals sector.
• Geoscience AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Critical Minerals Office supports research and development in partnership with Geoscience Australia for critical minerals exploration and development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS): The UK's lead department for business, energy and industrial strategy; structurally and functionally comparable to DISR as a federal/central economic ministry administering industrial policy, energy security and innovation programs.
• Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI): Japan's central economic ministry with overlapping responsibility for industry, trade, energy, and technology policy; comparable given Australia's $133B trade relationship with Japan and 40% LNG supply role that METI oversees on the Japanese side.
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): Canada's federal department for innovation, science and economic development; recently signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals Collaboration with DISR, making it a direct bilateral counterpart with closely overlapping portfolio mandate.
• German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK): Germany's federal economic ministry overseeing industry, energy and climate policy; functionally analogous to DISR's energy transition and industrial transformation responsibilities, including the Future Made in Australia-style industrial agenda.
• Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI): Singapore's MTI oversees trade, industry, and economic policy with strong emphasis on attracting major project investment and innovation — comparable to DISR's Investor Front Door and Major Projects Facilitation Agency functions.
• European Commission Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW): DG GROW administers EU-level industry, entrepreneurship and SME policy with comparable scope to DISR's AusIndustry and Industry Growth Program, and is engaged via the Brussels counsellor network.
• US Department of Commerce: The US Department of Commerce is the closest US federal analogue — responsible for trade promotion, industry competitiveness, standards, and economic development, with direct bilateral engagement through DISR's Washington counsellor.

Direct peers

• US AI Safety Institute (NIST): The US AI Safety Institute established within NIST is the most direct peer to Australia's AI Safety Institute — both conduct frontier AI testing, participate in NAAIMES joint exercises, and provide government-led AI safety evaluation capacity.
• UK AI Safety Institute: The UK AI Safety Institute is a direct peer — both institutes signed an MoU through the AI Seoul Summit process and conduct joint frontier model testing under NAAIMES, with comparable mandates and funding scale.
• New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE): New Zealand's central economic ministry combining business, innovation, and employment functions; comparable in scope (though smaller scale) to DISR's industry, science, and resources portfolio and operates within a similar Westminster-style federal system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IndustryGovAu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/IndustryGovAu
• Facebookfacebook.com/IndustryGovAu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/department-of-industry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Subsidiaries19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments4 records

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Frequently asked questions about Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources