CSIRO Logo

CSIRO is the custodian of a number of collections of animal and plant specimens that contribute to national and international biological knowledge. Together, they constitute a vast storehouse of information about Australia’s biodiversity and underpin a significant part of the country’s taxonomic, genetic, agricultural and ecological research - making these vital resources for conservation and the development of sustainable land and marine management systems.

Our research

Australian National Algae Culture Collection

This unique living resource of Australian biodiversity contains marine and freshwater microalgal classes sourced from tropical Australia to Antarctica. The collection provides microalgae cultures to research and industry in Australia and overseas.

Australian Tree Seed Centre

For over 50 years the Australian Tree Seed Centre has been collecting, researching and supplying quality, fully documented tree seed sourced from wild populations and through our seed improvement programs, to both domestic and overseas customers.

Digitising our natural history collections

We are digitising our natural history collections to support biodiversity discovery, quarantine, heritage and innovation.

Environomics Future Science Platform

Environomics, short for environmental genomics, is a technology platform to see beyond the landscape to its genescape, to reveal and make use of its genetic resources.

Australian National Fish Collection

Our collection helps sustainably manage Australia’s marine biodiversity. We partner with researchers both nationally and globally to support marine research and ecologically sustainable management.

Australian National Insect Collection

The Australian National Insect Collection is the world's largest collection of Australian insects and related groups such as mites, spiders, worms and centipedes. With over 12 million specimens the collection is a 'physical database' providing a unique source of biological information.

Australian National Herbarium

The Australian National Herbarium is one of the largest plant collections in the country, providing crucial information on Australia's native flora.

Australian National Wildlife Collection

Our Australian National Wildlife Collection provides important information on Australia's wildlife heritage through the collection of land vertebrates including birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

Volunteering at NRCA Digital

Volunteers are vital to the success of the digitisation of the National Research Collections of Australia. We simply can’t do what we do without you!

Ten things you need to know about collections

New technologies are transforming the way we use and benefit from natural history collections.

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A mallee moth on brown leaves

Moths and Butterflies

Lepidoptera, otherwise known as moths or butterflies, is one of the most diverse insect orders and probably one of the best-loved insect groups.
Cathy Johnston inspects an algae culture in a bottle.

Australian National Algae Supply Service

We provide high quality microalgae 'starter' cultures and complementary technical advice to industry, the research sector and educational institutions.

bright yellow seed and pale brown pods of Acacia coriacea or inland acacia situated on a piece of driftwood laying on bright red soil

Purchasing tree seed

For over 50 years the Australian Tree Seed Centre has been collecting, researching and supplying quality, fully documented tree seed to both domestic and overseas customers.

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