Scientific topics Critical minerals at Geoscience Australia
Page last updated:19 October 2026
Australia’s critical minerals quietly power many of the technologies that modern life increasingly depends on. They also underpin our national security and renewable energy transition.
The Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda supports the net zero transition while strengthening Australia’s economic and national security. It focuses on expanding sovereign capability, manufacturing and adding value to Australia’s resources, including critical minerals. It also aims to attract and enable investment, while investing in the people and communities that will drive national success.
Geoscience Australia’s Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative is a 35-year Australian Government investment in precompetitive geoscience. This initiative focuses on mapping Australia’s potential for critical minerals and strategic materials, hydrogen and carbon storage, and offshore renewable energy. It plays a key role in unlocking new opportunities that support a thriving, resilient national economy and a Future Made in Australia.
Critical minerals are important for everyday technology, clean energy and Australia’s security, but their supply can be unreliable.
Australia has many critical mineral projects, known resources and a strong mining industry. Geoscience Australia maintains an inventory of Australian critical minerals resources and production.
Geoscience Australia works with governments, researchers and industry to map critical minerals, share data, support new discoveries and investment, and strengthen Australia’s supply chains.
Links to Geoscience Australia reports, maps, educational resources, databases, presentations and videos about critical minerals.
Australian Government policies support a strong, secure and sustainable critical minerals sector by guiding investment, research, processing, manufacturing, supply security and the shift to net zero.
Australia offers strong critical minerals investment opportunities through its rich resources, stable business environment and government support that helps investors identify and develop projects.