Discover our projects
Watch an overview video about the Exploring for the Future program and its projects (3:30 min)
From 2016 the Exploring for the Future program built 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 unlocked the potential of Australia's groundwater, energy and mineral resources benefiting all Australians for decades to come. This included:
All our projects were 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 Exploring for the Future program (2020-24)
The Darling-Curnamona-Delamerian project delivered 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.
The Officer-Musgrave-Birrindudu project investigated the energy and groundwater potential of the Officer Basin, the adjoining Musgrave Province and nearby Birrindudu Basin.
The Barkly-Isa-Georgetown project focused on the undercover regions between Tennant Creek, Mount Isa and Georgetown, delivering new data and knowledge on the mineral and energy potential in these areas and maximising opportunities for resource sector investment in the region.
This project laid 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.
The National Groundwater Systems project improved understanding of Australia's groundwater resources to better support responsible groundwater management and secure groundwater resources into the future.
Australia's Future Energy Resources project investigated the national potential for new sediment-hosted energy resources, including oil, natural gas and hydrogen, that can support Australia's transition to net zero emissions by 2050.
The Enhanced Data Delivery project supported 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.
The Geoscience Knowledge Sharing project supported the Exploring for the Future program in establishing relationships and enhancing our engagement with the diverse stakeholders and communities, where the program operated, including remote and First Nations Australian communities, farmers and rural towns.
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 has realised impact
Better evidence-based decision-making between landholders, traditional owners, public, government and industry.
Growing economic prosperity and social well-being through resource development, investment in resource exploration, new job creation and responsible agricultural planning.
Improved intergenerational water security and community resilience.
Geoscience Australia held the final Exploring for the Future online public Showcase during 13–16 August 2024, marking the conclusion of the 8-year program and celebrating its enduring legacy. Geoscience experts highlighted 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. View the Showcase presentations, new data and publications releases.
