Human Tooth CT scan – courtesy of Diana Patalwala, UWA
Exploring Inner Space
The Australian National Imaging Facility (NIF) is a $300 million project providing state-of-the-art imaging capability of humans, animals, plants, and materials for the Australian research community. NIF’s grid of imaging facilities spreads across Australia, offering a range of leading-edge imaging instrumentation and expertise in the optimal use of imaging technology to the Australian research community.
NIF is an Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV), established in 2007, with eleven participants. It has received substantial funding through the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) with co-funding from Australian and state government agencies and partners to provide imaging capabilities.
Through the facilities and knowledge supported by NIF, researchers are exploring inner space for human health, agriculture, food security, crops, livestock, materials, specimens, composites, ecology and biosciences applications.


Australia’s research community is increasingly reporting the impact they have on economy, society, and environment. Explore some of our example projects highlighting the collaborative efforts of NIF scientists and users, and be inspired.
A History of Success
NIF established with $7.5M funding as one of four initiative projects implemented by the Australian Government under the Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (CRIS) Characterization capabilities
NIF further expanded through the Education Investment Fund (EIF) with an additional $40.2M funding
NIF funding continued as part of CRIS and then NCRIS with an additional $4.3M (2013), $2.9M (2015), and $2.9M (2016). Imaging identified as a critical component in the 2016 Roadmap. NIF supported by the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) with an additional $3.2M funding from 2016.
Increased funding provided via NCRIS ($53M over five years) and NISA ($16M over five years) to enable capital renewal and continued growth of prioritized national research infrastructure in imaging with an additional
2007
NIF established as one of four initiative projects implemented by the Australian Government under the Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (CRIS) Characterization capabilities with $17M funding
2009
NIF further expanded through the Education Investment Fund (EIF) with an additional $40.2M funding
2013-2016
NIF funding continued as part of CRIS and then NCRIS with an additional $4.3M (2013), $2.9M (2015), and $2.9M (2016). Imaging identified as a critical component in the 2016 Roadmap.
2017
NIF supported by the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) with an additional $3.2M funding
2018-2023
Increased funding provided via NCRIS ($53M over five years) and NISA ($16M over five years) to enable capital renewal and continued growth of prioritised national research infrastructure in imaging.


Identify iconic investments in nationally and globally significant areas
Provide Australian researchers with reliable and state-of-the-art technology, highly specialised expertise, and a world-leading capacity for creating and accessing high quality, reproducible data
Ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of international developments and is able to contribute solutions to global challenges
NIF Headquarters
NIF is a national capability with facilities in SA, WA, NSW, VIC, and QLD, with the central office located in Brisbane.