The CSIRO Oceanographic Calibration Facility - aka 'Cal Lab' - calibrates oceanographic instrumentation used by scientists across Australia for marine measurements.
Conductivity, temperature and pressure instruments are the prime tool used by scientists for marine measurements. Precision measurement of ocean physics is critical to understanding how the coastal marine environment or deep ocean is changing over short, medium or longer-term time-scales.
Precise instrumentation calibration - and regular recalibration - plays a critical role in safeguarding the quality and accuracy of Australia's environmental and oceanographic measurements. The Oceanographic Calibration Facility exemplifies CSIRO's commitment to delivering trusted scientific data and supporting national priorities in climate change adaptation.
The Facility is based in Hobart, Tasmania and is National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited to ISO:17025
Scientific services
Engineers at the Facility calibrate oceanographic instrumentation. This includes conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) instruments, as well as dissolved oxygen and optical sensors from a variety of manufacturers.
Calibrations are conducted for a range of clients including state research agencies, water authorities, Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), Australian Antarctic Program (AAP), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), CSIRO teams, and various commercial organisations.
Our service has a level of accuracy consistent with world's best practice and temperature and pressure reports are NATA endorsed. For instruments that store calibration information internally, the new coefficient values are uploaded to the instrument prior to dispatch.
Sensors and ranges
Metrologists at the Facility are able to calibrate the following sensors over the specified ranges:
| Sensor | Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | -2°C to 35°C (95 per cent uncertainty ± 0.0015°C) |
| Conductivity | 0 to 7 S/m (95 per cent uncertainty ± 0.0003 S/m) |
| Pressure | 0 to 11000 dbar (95 per cent uncertainty ± 0.012%) |
| Dissolved oxygen | 0 to 7 m/l (95 per cent uncertainty ± 0.03 ml/l) |
| Turbidity (Formizin) | 0 to 100 NTU (95 per cent uncertainty ± 0.25 NTU) |
| Fluorescence (Fluorescein) | 0 to 200 µg/L (95 per cent uncertainty ± 0.25 µg/L) |
A full calibration typically takes one week to complete and instruments are returned with calibration reports.
Calibration levels and pricing
The Facility has a 2-tiered calibration level service: Standard and Specialised. Details for the Specialised service are provided below.
Pricing per instrument calibration for FY2025-26*:
- Standard: A$550.00 per instrument (GST excluded)
- Specialised: A$700.00 per instrument (GST excluded)
* Please refer to 'Discount policy' and 'Pricing notes' below.
Specialised calibration
Specialised calibration level service offers the following features:
- Pressure calibration: If requested by the client, or for high performing instrumentation, Specialised provides the option for our lower levels of uncertainty.
- Conductivity calibration: Specialised will be for high performing instruments, designed to measure conductivity only at highest possible accuracy.
- Dissolved oxygen calibration: Specialised will apply to all instruments.
The Facility can provide further calibration level guidance to clients on individual instruments as required or if requested.
Discount policy
A quantity discount may apply to services provided on identically configured temperature and/or pressure instruments only. These instruments must be received and dispatched in one single shipment by the Facility.
Please contact the Facility to obtain a quote on a quantity discount.
Pricing notes
- Prices indicated are per calibrated instrument parameter for the service category that is selected.
- The pricing structure is intended to remain valid for the above Australian financial year. However, they may be subject to change due to conditions outside of our control.
- Prices are in Australian dollars (A$) and exclusive of GST.
Read our latest facility news
Oceanographic Calibration Facility achieves 10,000th instrument calibration
The Oceanographic Calibration Facility reached a significant milestone in February 2026 with the calibration of its 10,000th oceanographic instrument. The milestone instrument was a National Reference Station mooring from Maria Island, part of a network of moorings that deliver long-term time series ocean observations as part of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS).
Zero in on the story: Oceanographic Calibration Facility achieves 10,000th instrument calibration
Use this service
For more information about this service or to discuss specifications, please email oceanographic.calibration@csiro.au.
Location
CSIRO Hobart
Castray Esplanade
Battery Point
Tas 7004