Geospatial partnerships and collaboration
Page last updated:4 November 2026
Australia's national geospatial capability relies on the collaborative efforts of government, industry and academic partners across Australia and internationally.
Geoscience Australia works with these partners to align priorities, strengthen standards and improve coordination. Through governance forums and technical collaboration, these relationships help ensure Australia's geospatial information remains trusted, interoperable and fit for purpose, while supporting a resilient and future-ready geospatial ecosystem.
This page introduces the key organisations, forums and partnerships that help strengthen Australia’s geospatial capability through national leadership, intergovernmental collaboration and international engagement.
Leading Australia’s geospatial direction
National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC)
The National Geospatial Advisory Committee serves as the national peak advisory forum for geospatial matters, bringing together leaders from government, industry and academia to identify shared challenges, opportunities and priorities for the nation's geospatial future.
Through its strategic, whole-of-ecosystem advice to Geoscience Australia and the Australian Government, the Committee helps strengthen national leadership, coordination and long-term impact across Australia's geospatial ecosystem.
Working across government
Location Inter-Departmental Committee (Location IDC)
The Location Inter-Departmental Committee brings together Commonwealth Government agencies to strategically coordinate actions that strengthen location data, infrastructure and capability across the Australian Public Service.
The committee provides a forum for agencies to collaborate on shared priorities, exchange knowledge and identify opportunities to improve the use of location information in policy development, program design and service delivery.
By fostering a coordinated approach across government, the committee supports more effective place-based decision-making and helps maximise the value of location information across the Australian Public Service.
ANZLIC – the Spatial Information Council
ANZLIC is the peak intergovernmental council providing leadership on spatial information and service delivery across Australia and New Zealand.
The council brings together senior representatives from Commonwealth, state, territory and New Zealand governments to improve the accessibility, usability and value of spatial information. Through ANZLIC, jurisdictions collaborate on shared priorities, emerging challenges and opportunities to strengthen geospatial capability.
Geoscience Australia represents the Australian Government on the council, helping shape national collaboration on the accessibility, usability and value of spatial information.
Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM)
The ICSM brings together government surveying, mapping and land information agencies from across Australia and New Zealand.
It provides leadership on the development, maintenance and delivery of nationally consistent geospatial information. Through its technical committees, working groups, and collaborative initiatives, the ICSM supports the standards, frameworks and practices that underpin authoritative location information.
This collaboration helps ensure critical geospatial datasets managed by Commonwealth, state and territory agencies remain reliable, interoperable and consistent across jurisdictions.
Collaborating with Australia’s states and territories
Australia's states and territories are custodians of many foundation geospatial datasets and serve as critical partners in maintaining the authoritative location information that contributes to our national geospatial picture.
Geoscience Australia works with these agencies to strengthen coordination and alignment, while recognising the expertise and custodianship held within each jurisdiction.
Engaging internationally
Geoscience Australia represents Australia's geospatial interests in international forums, helping shape emerging standards, frameworks and best practice while bringing global insights back to Australia's geospatial community.
International engagement helps ensure Australia's geospatial capability remains connected to global developments and contributes to international efforts to improve the management and use of geospatial information.
United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM)
Through UN-GGIM and its Asia-Pacific regional committee, UN-GGIM-AP, Australia contributes to international collaboration to strengthen the management and use of geospatial information.
Participation supports the development of global frameworks, standards and good practice while providing opportunities to share Australian expertise and learn from international experience.
This engagement helps connect Australia's geospatial capability with the broader global geospatial community and supports nationally consistent approaches that align with international best practice.
United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN)
UNGEGN supports the national and international standardisation of geographical names, helping countries improve naming practices, strengthen authorities responsible for geographic names and promote the recognition of cultural and linguistic heritage.
Australia participates contributing expertise, sharing good practice and engaging in the development of international approaches to geographical naming.