Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

Research de-risking northern development

About us

The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) is investing $75 million in Australian Government funding to support scienced based research and development in the north over 10 years: 2017 to 2027. Investments are developing new technologies, products and services which address industry issues unique to Northern Australia.

Vision

To support an economically resilient future for Northern Australia.

Mission

To invest in industry-led research that de-risks development in Northern Australia for a more resilient and sustainable economic future.

Where we work

Northern Australia

The CRCNA works across Northern Australia which includes all of the Northern Territory and those parts of Queensland and Western Australia that intersect with or are above the Tropic of Capricorn.

Map of Northern Australia

investment overview

107

Research projects

272

Project partners

155

million
Research projects value

57.3

million
CRCNA contributions

3.9

million
Education program value

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Research

Projects to address industry issues unique to Northern Australia.

Data Portal

An active data portal with economic and social metrics for Northern Australia.

Members

A collaborative community of members committed to supporting the sustainable development of Northern Australia.

A word from our partners

The Hon Madeleine King MP

Minister for Northern Australia

Our Government is working with key partners like the CRCNA to deliver substantial and diversified investment to drive a once in a generation transformation of our economy.

Ricky Archer

Director of Parks Australia

CRCNA investments have created new technologies, products and services which address our unique industry issues up here in the north.

The Hon Don Punch MLA

WA Minister for Fisheries and Regional Development

There is a lot of potential in the regions with exciting work being done to grow emerging aquaculture industries like Tropical Rock Oysters. Partnering with the CRCNA is making this possible.

Gabrielle Creek

Kalan Enterprises, Cape York

We are up here looking after Country. The CRCNA helps us manage the pests and environmental impacts with a changing climate. We do this for the rest of Australia and the world. Northern Australia is a very special place.

Prof Allan Dale

Chief Scientist, CRCNA

Creating an environment of certainty and clear policy attracts investment, creates jobs and drives the economic prosperity of the region.

Scott Parkinson

CEO, Ornatas

Our partnership with the CRCNA is making what was once impossible, possible in aquaculture.

stay up to date

Sustainably developing Northern Australia: a year of solid…

The CRCNA's Annual Report 2023/24 was released today, demonstrating another solid year…

CRCNA attends SEGRA to talk sustainable water development

SEGRA (Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia) Foundation held the annual National…

12 months of wins in the agriculture sector

The Rockhampton Region’s agriculture industry has seen 12-months of strong wins with…

Inaugural Australian Sea Country Conference 2024

First Nations governance, traditional knowledge, and leadership take centre stage at the…

updates

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The CRCNA is funded as part of the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Program and is supported by the Northern Australian jurisdictional governments. 

Acknowledgement to Country

The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia recognises the continuing connection to sea and country of Australia’s First Nations People. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and water on which our staff and researchers live and work, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.