Our partnership with the Australian Synchrotron gives New Zealand researchers premium access to the state-of-the-art research technology. We help our researchers access the Synchrotron for powerful discoveries.
Membership of the NZSG partnership enables greater access to more time at the synchrotron at attractive rates, as well as privileged access rights.
The NZSG is keen to see more researchers and institutions benefit from the arrangement, especially as the new beamlines at the Synchrotron will provide new techniques and capability for a wider range of sciences and their applications.
The unique partnership of the NZSG with ANSTO makes access to one of the highest quality synchrotrons the world easy for our researchers.
Access to the Australian Synchrotron provides significant benefits to New Zealand researchers. The facility is the only one of its kind in Oceania and is the largest stand-alone scientific infrastructure in the southern hemisphere.
Australian Synchrotron staff are collaborative and supportive of NZSG and New Zealand researchers in general. With a sound science partnership between our two countries, Aotearoa New Zealand has access to all the benefits of this world class facility.
The current merit access rights to beamlines give New Zealand researchers a significant advantage, as they have more opportunities to complete experiments.
Although demand for access often exceeds supply, in some cases 100% of applications from New Zealand researchers for specific beamlines are successful. New Zealand researchers are a strong partner in the Australian Synchrotron, and their use of the facility boosts the quality of both New Zealand and Australian science, which meets or exceeds international expectations.
Our arrangement provides our affiliated researchers priority access, as their access must be allocated by ANSTO before Australian researchers’ shifts.
The Australian Synchrotron is nearing the end of a significant upgrade programme, adding eight beamlines to the original 10. All 18 beamlines will be in operation by late-2026. The NZSG has guaranteed access for five years after each new beamline comes into operation. The first of these rights expire in 2028 and the remainder will expire around 2031.
Before the construction of synchrotron facilities in Australia, the closest major facilities to New Zealand were Japan and California. With the building of the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne, New Zealand has vastly improved access to a world class facility.
Through our arrangement with ANSTO, scientists can apply for access from a pool set aside exclusively for New Zealand users, whereas in the past they had to apply at other facilities through a highly competitive process. This made it difficult for new users, particularly students, to gain the experience needed to be outstanding synchrotron scientists.
