Discover our projects
Watch an overview video about the Exploring for the Future program and its projects (3:30 min)
Program activities
Growing our understanding of Australia’s geology
Since 2016 the Exploring for the Future program has been building on decades of Geoscience Australia’s knowledge and expertise to generate new science and characterise the geology of Australia from the surface down to great depths.
During 2020–24, 8 projects will continue to unlock the potential of Australia’s groundwater, energy and mineral resources that will benefit all Australians for decades to come. This includes:
- 3 deep-dive projects in the geological regions of Officer–Musgrave–Birrindudu in central-west Australia, Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian in south-east Australia and Barkly–Isa–Georgetown in the north-east
- 3 continental-scale projects that have national applications but with a focus in southern Australia: Australia’s Resources Framework, National Groundwater Systems and Australia’s Future Energy Resources projects
- 2 program support projects: Enhanced Data Delivery and Geoscience Knowledge Sharing projects.
All our projects are collaborations with Commonwealth, state, territory and university partners, landholders and Traditional Owner groups; and leverage the capabilities of Australia’s world-leading Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector.
View the Exploring for the Future program’s organisational chart [PDF 90 KB], which presents all the projects and their related modules or project activities since the program began in 2016.
Project activities during the current Exploring for the Future program (2020–24)
Deep-dive projects
Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian
The Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian project is delivering new data and knowledge to assess mineral and groundwater potential and support water management across western New South Wales and Victoria, eastern South Australia and northwest Tasmania.
Officer–Musgrave–Birrindudu
The Officer–Musgrave–Birrindudu project is investigating the energy and groundwater potential of the Officer Basin, the adjoining Musgrave Province and nearby Birrindudu Basin.
Barkly–Isa–Georgetown
This project is delivering new data and knowledge to assess the mineral and energy potential in undercover regions between Tennant Creek, Mount Isa and Georgetown, maximising opportunities for the resources sector in the region.
National projects
Australia’s Resources Framework
This project is laying the foundations for a national view of Australia’s surface and subsurface geology, underpinning our understanding of the continent’s mineral, energy and groundwater potential.
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.
Australia’s Future Energy Resources
This project is evaluating the potential for new energy commodities hosted within sedimentary basins, including oil, natural gas and hydrogen, to support Australia’s transition to a low carbon economy. It will also assess the optimal locations for green and blue hydrogen production, including storage areas.
Support projects
Enhanced Data Delivery
The Enhanced Data Delivery project supports the Exploring for the Future program in digital transformation and data infrastructure, building on the robust and flexible systems developed through other innovative programs across Geoscience Australia.
Geoscience Knowledge Sharing
The Geoscience Knowledge Sharing project supports the Exploring for the Future program in establishing relationships and enhancing our engagement with the diverse stakeholders and communities, where the program operates, including remote and First Nations Australian communities, farmers and rural towns.
Science that creates impact and drives innovation
According to a 2023 Deloitte Access Economics report, government geoscience data and analysis supported $76b of added value to the economy in 2021-22, or 3.5% of GDP. Learn more about how the program is realising impact
Informed decisions
Effective evidence-based decision-making between landholders, traditional owners, public, government and industry.
Prosperity
Growing economic prosperity and social well-being through resource development, investment in resource exploration, new job creation and responsible agricultural planning.
Water security
Improved water security for households, agriculture and industry.
2024 Showcase
Geoscience Australia will hold the final Exploring for the Future online public Showcase during the week of 12 August 2024, marking the conclusion of the 8-year program and celebrating its enduring legacy. Geoscience experts will highlight impacts, benefits and achievements, new scientific insights and a comprehensive collection of precompetitive geoscience outputs, including transformed national datasets, improved mineral, energy, and groundwater resources assessments, unravelled regional geology, new decision support tools and more. Everyone is welcome!