The Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to world-class ocean forecasting, with the renewal of the Bluelink partnership between the Department of Defence, the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO.
Bluelink helps Australia understand, monitor and predict ocean conditions around Australia and across the globe.
The ocean is constantly changing. Currents, waves, temperatures and conditions below the surface can affect everything from naval operations and maritime safety to fisheries, shipping, search and rescue, and environmental management.
Since it was established in 2001, the Bluelink Partnership has delivered significant advancements in helping Australia understand the complexity of the constantly changing ocean. Its forecasting abilities range from near-shore waters and local beach conditions to regional currents and waves, and ocean circulation on a global scale.
These insights support safer and more effective decision making for naval and maritime operations, where understanding ocean conditions can significantly influence outcomes. They can also be used widely across government and research sectors, supporting weather prediction, climate research, coastal monitoring and marine safety.
The agreement, announced at the Australian Defence, Science, Technology and Research Summit is the latest step in a long-standing partnership will advance a collaboration that supports national security, operational planning and scientific excellence.
By continuing to invest in science, technology and operational expertise, the partnership helps Australia with the tools and knowledge needed to respond to challenges in an increasingly dynamic maritime environment.
This investment helps strengthen national security, improve maritime safety, supports environmental stewardship and contributes to the broader scientific community in line with the 2026 National Defence Strategy.
Quotes attributable to Chief Defence Scientist Prof Tanya Monro AC:
"Renewing the Bluelink Partnership secures Australia's leadership in ocean forecasting and strengthens our investment in next‑generation modelling.
"This collaboration enhances Defence capability, supports national resilience, and deepens our understanding of a critical natural environment.
"The Bluelink Partnership shows how science and technology sharpen Australia's operational edge.
"This renewal ensures Defence continues to benefit from world‑class ocean forecasts that give our maritime forces the intelligence they need to plan and operate with confidence."
Quotes attributed to CSIRO Environment Research Unit Director Dr Dan Metcalfe:
"CSIRO's scientists, working closely with our Bureau colleagues and Defence force teams, have developed world-leading forecasting of ocean and nearshore sea conditions.
"This is Australian science delivering impactful decision advantage for our defence capabilities and the wider Australian community.
"We look forward to continuing this important partnership, which has combined state-of-the-art technology and great science for more than 20 years."
Quotes attributable to Bureau of Meteorology Chief Executive Officer Dr Stuart Minchin:
"The renewal of the Bluelink Partnership reflects how the Bureau, Defence and CSIRO have worked together to provide the best possible picture of the ocean environment to help benefit national security and the Australian community.
"Ocean forecasting isn't just a scientific challenge, it's a capability that directly supports safety and decision-making for Defence personnel, and this renewal ensures that capability keeps growing.
"We're proud to keep working alongside Defence and the CSIRO, because the science only gets stronger when it's driven by the operational needs of the people who rely on it.
"As we look towards future partnerships, Bluelink stands as a proven example of what collaboration between Defence and national science agencies can deliver."
This media release was originally published by the Department of Defence .
