National Centre for Groundwater Research & Training

What National Centre for Groundwater Research & Training does

The National Centre for Groundwater Research & Training (NCGRT) is an Adelaide-headquartered research consortium administered by Flinders University that aggregates groundwater scientists from 13 Australian universities and 19 government and industry organisations to advance scientific understanding of Australia's groundwater resources and to train the next generation of groundwater professionals. NCGRT delivers interdisciplinary research across groundwater characterisation, numerical and analytical modelling, geochemistry, reactive transport modelling, environmental and artificial tracers, and surface/downhole geophysics, with particular depth in mining hydrogeology, coastal hydrogeology, and managed aquifer recharge.

Its core technical assets are the LEACHM/LEACHE unsaturated-zone numerical model simulator (a public-domain finite-difference solver of Richards' equation and the convection-dispersion equation, with LEACHE adding air-water interfacial sorption processes) and reference outputs such as the Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines (led by NCGRT researchers), the Groundwater in Australia report, and a Deloitte Access Economics report on the Economic Value of Groundwater in Australia. NCGRT also publishes National Groundwater Research Priorities (June 2024).

NCGRT's revenue model combines fee-paying professional development short courses (Australian Groundwater School in Adelaide and online, plus specialised courses in contaminant hydrogeology, FEFLOW-based modelling, mining hydrogeology, managed aquifer recharge, NMR, and field methods, available as in-house customised training), university-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs delivered through the 13-university partner network with PhD and master's supervision, and publications. Customers and partners span federal and state agencies (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Murray-Darling Basin Authority; CSIRO; Geoscience Australia; ANSTO; Bureau of Meteorology), mining operators (Rio Tinto), engineering consultancies (CDM Smith, Jacobs, WSP, EMM Consulting), and technology providers (Aquanty, DHI).

Name

National Centre for Groundwater Research & Training

Legal name

National Centre for Ground Water Research & Training

Website

https://groundwater.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

NCGRT is an Adelaide-based groundwater research consortium, hosted by Flinders University, that unites scientists from 13 Australian universities and 19 government and industry organisations to deliver groundwater research, professional short-course training, and accredited university programs for federal and state agencies, mining operators, engineering consultancies, and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrogeology Research & Training Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quality Assurance/Quality Control & Accreditation (QA plans, proficiency testing, ISO/IEC 17025) (EUANAJAK), Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG), Geotechnical Investigation & Site Characterization (Boreholes, In-situ Testing, Lab Testing) (IMAFAOAG)

Keywords

• Groundwater research
• Hydrogeology training
• Professional development courses
• Water resource management
• Unsaturated zone modelling

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Professional Development Short Courses: NCGRT offers a suite of short courses designed to enhance expertise in groundwater science and management. Programs are delivered by leading experts from academia, government, and industry, ensuring participants receive current and relevant knowledge. Training courses can be customised and delivered in-house, providing a cost-effective and high-impact approach to organisation's training needs.
2. University Accredited Courses: Partnership with universities offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees covering aspects of groundwater. World-class academics supervise PhD and master's students whose projects are focused on groundwater. 13 university partners covering most State and Territory capital cities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NCGRT delivers scientific research and professional training programs for the groundwater sector, bringing together leading researchers from 13 Australian universities and 19 government and industry partners. Its core offerings include professional development short courses (Australian Groundwater School, Contaminant Hydrogeology, Mining Hydrogeology, Managed Aquifer Recharge, Groundwater Modelling, NMR, and Field Methods in Hydrology), accredited university courses through partner institutions, and applied groundwater research projects for government and industry. It also publishes authoritative reference materials such as the Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines and develops specialised modelling tools such as the LEACHE unsaturated zone numerical simulator.

Product overview

NCGRT offers groundwater research software tools, publications, and professional education programs. The core product is LEACHM/LEACHE, a public-domain unsaturated zone numerical model for simulating water flow and solute transport. Additional offerings include authoritative publications such as the Groundwater in Australia report, Deloitte economic value analysis, Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines, and teaching resources. Professional development consists of short courses including Australian Groundwater School, Introduction to Contaminant Hydrogeology, Introduction to Groundwater Modelling Using FEFLOW, Mining Hydrogeology, Managed Aquifer Recharge, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and Field Methods in Hydrology. University education encompasses accredited undergraduate and postgraduate groundwater hydrology courses through partner institutions, plus PhD and master's research supervision across 13 university partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LEACHM/LEACHE (Leaching Estimation and Chemistry Model) A public-domain unsaturated zone numerical model simulator that uses finite difference approximation of Richards' equation to solve for water flow and the convection-dispersion equation to simulate solute transport in variably water-saturated soils. Available as a free download for hydrogeology researchers and practitioners.
• Australian Groundwater School (Adelaide) An in-person professional development course delivered in Adelaide covering the fundamentals of groundwater science for practitioners, government staff, consultants and researchers.
• Australian Groundwater School – Online Online version of the Australian Groundwater School providing foundational groundwater science training to participants globally in a virtual format.
• Introduction to Contaminant Hydrogeology Short course on contaminant hydrogeology fundamentals, presented in collaboration with ALGA for environmental and water professionals.
• Introduction to Groundwater Modelling Using FEFLOW Short course introducing groundwater modelling using FEFLOW software, targeted at professionals seeking practical modelling skills.
• Groundwater Modelling at Mine Sites Using FEFLOW Specialised short course on groundwater modelling for mining applications using FEFLOW, aimed at mining hydrogeologists and environmental consultants.
• Mining Hydrogeology Short course on mining hydrogeology covering dewatering, pit lake development and groundwater management for mining operations.
• Managed Aquifer Recharge Short course covering managed aquifer recharge principles and applications for water resource managers, consultants and researchers.
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Short course on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as a geophysical method for directly measuring water in the subsurface, aimed at researchers and practitioners.
• Field Methods in Hydrology Field-based short course on hydrological measurement methods, providing hands-on training for groundwater and surface water practitioners.
• Accredited University Groundwater Courses Undergraduate and postgraduate accredited degree programs covering groundwater topics, delivered through 13 partner universities across Australia with world-class academic supervision of PhD and master's students.
• Customised In-House Training Customised groundwater training programs delivered in-house at client organisations, tailored to specific workforce development needs across government, industry and consulting sectors.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Flinders UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministering university and headquarters location of NCGRT. Located in Adelaide, SA. Provides institutional support, facilities, and administrative infrastructure for the centre.
• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner contributing researchers to NCGRT. School of Engineering and Built Environment - Civil and Environmental Engineering.
• James Cook UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner contributing researchers to NCGRT research network.
• Monash UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with researchers in School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment contributing to NCGRT research.
• Australian National University (ANU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with Institute for Water Futures and Integrated Catchment Assessment and Management Centre contributing researchers.
• University of New South Wales (UNSW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with Water Research Laboratory and School of Civil and Environmental Engineering contributing expertise.
• University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with Centre for Resources, Energy and Environmental Law contributing legal and policy expertise.
• University of NewcastlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with School of Environment and Life Science contributing researchers.
• University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry Sustainable Minerals Institute contributing expertise.
• University of Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner offering Master of Hydrogeology program and contributing researchers.
• University of South AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner contributing researchers to NCGRT network.
• Charles Darwin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner contributing researchers including those in North Water Futures.
• Queensland University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with School of Biology & Environmental Science contributing researchers.
• CSIROmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment research organisation and partner providing scientific research capabilities.
• Geoscience AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government agency partner providing geological and geospatial expertise.
• ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment organisation partner providing nuclear science and technology capabilities for groundwater research including isotopic analysis.
• Bureau of MeteorologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government agency partner providing weather and water data and expertise.
• Murray-Darling Basin AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency responsible for managing the Murray-Darling Basin's water resources.
• Rio TintomajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMining corporation partner for groundwater research in mining contexts, particularly in Pilbara region.
• CDM SmithmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering and consulting firm partner providing hydrogeological consulting expertise.
• JacobsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering and technical services firm partner providing consulting capabilities.
• WSPmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering services firm partner contributing to groundwater consulting projects.
• EMM ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnvironmental consulting firm partner.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WSP: WSP is a Major NCGRT implementation/consulting partner and a global engineering consultancy (now incorporating Golder Associates) with a substantial Australian hydrogeology and mine-water practice serving overlapping clients.
• EMM Consulting: EMM Consulting is a Minor NCGRT implementation/consulting partner and an Australian environmental consultancy delivering groundwater, mining, and water-resource services to overlapping government and industry clients in the same geographies.
• DHI Group: DHI develops FEFLOW, the groundwater modelling software that NCGRT itself teaches (e.g., 'Introduction to Groundwater Modelling Using FEFLOW'). DHI is a direct peer/competitor in groundwater modelling software and a listed NCGRT technology partner, making it highly comparable.
• CDM Smith: CDM Smith is a Major NCGRT implementation/consulting partner led by NCGRT Advisory Board chair Stuart Richardson and a global engineering consultancy delivering hydrogeology, mining water, and environmental services to overlapping government and mining clients.
• Jacobs: Jacobs is a Major NCGRT implementation/consulting partner with a Principal Hydrogeologist (Richard Evans) on NCGRT's Technical Advisory Board and a global engineering firm delivering comparable groundwater, mining water, and environmental consulting services.
• GHD: GHD is a major Australian-headquartered engineering consultancy with a substantial water, groundwater, and mining-hydrogeology practice, competing directly with NCGRT's consulting partners and serving the same Australian federal/state and mining clients.

Others

• Geoscience Australia: Geoscience Australia is a Major NCGRT partner and the federal geoscience agency producing national hydrogeological data and maps; it is more of an ecosystem participant and data provider than a direct competitor, but its mandate and outputs overlap with NCGRT's research scope.

Emerging players

• Aquanty: Aquanty provides groundwater modelling solutions (notably HydroGeoSphere) and is a listed NCGRT technology partner. It is an emerging competitor in the same hydrogeological simulation space where NCGRT conducts research and training.

Broad incumbents

• Tetra Tech: Tetra Tech is a global environmental and water-resources engineering consultancy that delivers hydrogeology, groundwater modelling, and mining water services internationally — a broader incumbent competing for the same government, mining, and agricultural engagements as NCGRT.
• CSIRO: CSIRO is Australia's national science agency, a Major NCGRT partner, and concurrently the country's largest publicly funded water and groundwater research body — a broad incumbent whose portfolio overlaps directly with NCGRT's mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCGRT
• YouTubevimeo.com/groundwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-centre-for-groundwater-research-and-training

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Centre for Groundwater Research & Training