National projects National Groundwater Systems
The National Groundwater Systems project is improving understanding of Australia’s groundwater resources to better support responsible groundwater management and secure groundwater resources into the future.
The project is developing new national coverages to constrain groundwater systems and improve data standards and workflows of groundwater assessment.
Through a phased inventory of Australia’s groundwater systems in onshore basins, this project is standardising datasets and information, including principal aquifers and key groundwater dependent assets. The project is developing a national understanding of groundwater systems that integrates available geoscience data and emerging technologies to better characterise and manage groundwater supply across vast areas of arid Australia.
Web-based delivery, visualisation and analysis of hydrogeological information will complement the work of groundwater authorities and improve accessibility of groundwater science and data for communities and decision-makers.
Area of focus for continental-scale projects
What we are doing
The National Groundwater Systems project is divided into 3 research areas designed to undertake the following project activities:
Outputs
Project outputs will be progressively released via this page and the Exploring for the Future Data Discovery Portal.
Collaboration
Geoscience Australia acknowledges all landholders and communities who have supported our work in rural, regional and remote Australia.
Related information
Mapping Australia's groundwater
The Australian Government is working to secure Australia's future water resources through a first of its kind stock take of the nation’s underground water reservoirs. The National Hydrogeological Inventory, developed by Geoscience Australia, has mapped Australia's major groundwater-bearing basins and geological provinces and paints a picture of the communities, industries and environments that rely on groundwater.
How geoscience can improve water resilience for regional communities
Geoscience Australia undertook geoscientific investigations in the Southern Stuart Corridor, spanning 89,000 km2 in central Australia to better understand groundwater aquifers (rock layers that can store groundwater).
Towards a national information inventory of Australia's major hydrogeological regions
Lewis, S., Lai, É., Flower, C., Lester, J. (2022)
Important community information
Geoscience Australia is committed to land, air and marine access best practice and to protecting cultural heritage and the environment.
We thank the people and communities who collaborate with us to ensure the success of the Exploring for the Future program.
Geoscience Australia activities are not undertaken on behalf of any exploration company; we work for the benefit of all Australians.
All data produced by Geoscience Australia, including the data from this project, will be made publicly available after quality assurance has been performed.
For more information or general enquiries, please email clientservices@ga.gov.au
Current program
The current Exploring for the Future program (2020–24) focuses on 8 interrelated projects, united in growing our understanding of Australia's geology.
Deep-dive
Three deep-dive projects in potentially resource-rich corridors identified in the east and west of Australia: Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian, Officer–Musgrave–Birrindudu and Barkly–Isa–Georgetown projects.
National
Three national projects with a focus on southern Australia: Australia’s Resources Framework, National Groundwater Systems and Australia’s Future Energy Resources projects.
Program support
Two program support projects: Enhanced Data Delivery and Geoscience Knowledge Sharing projects.