Building Linkages

NMI Strategic Plan

2014 – 2018
Front Cover:
The double helix symbolises the
measurement support in genetic
testing that NMI is providing across
a range of sectors including health,
food, agriculture, environment and
manufacturing.
 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018 1

Our Vision
Measurement policy, science and regulation underpinning
the economy and well-being of Australia.

Our Mission
To lead and facilitate a measurement system that serves,
enhances and adapts to the productivity and growth of
Australian industries.
2 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018
 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018 3

OVERVIEW
Measurement is essential to innovation and science, is
often a precursor to investment, and supports Australia’s
safety, security, prosperity and quality of life. Examples
of measurement are everywhere: in assuring the purity of
food and water; environmental analyses; the passage of
time; lighting efficiency; pathology testing; the use of
electricity and gas; manufacturing; engineering and
construction; chemical safety; agricultural production.
Almost every country has a peak body that ensures that
accurate, nationally and internationally recognised
measurements can be made. In Australia that organisation
is the National Measurement Institute (NMI).
Operating under the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth),
NMI was formed in 2004 by the merger of three bodies
covering the chemical, physical and legal aspects of
measurement. NMI is now a one-stop shop for Australia’s
measurement needs, able to address complex, multi-
dimensional measurement challenges.
NMI’s specialist in-house capabilities and extensive
external linkages enable the efficient and effective delivery
of the range of measurements most needed within
Australia’s economy and society. NMI’s measurement
expertise is applied in areas including law enforcement,
manufacturing, food, agriculture, and environmental
analyses. Our stakeholders participate in every part of the
economy, including retail, mining and resources, banking
and transport & communications.
NMI is a division of the Department of Industry and
Science and contributes to the Department's objectives.
Departmental vision:
‘Enabling growth and productivity
for globally competitive industries’

Department Objectives NMI's Contribution 2014 – 2018

Growing Business Leading a measurement system that serves, enhances and adapts to the productivity
Investment & Improving & growth of Australian industries
Business Capability
Promoting investment in measurement to enhance productivity and foster innovation

Supporting trade and investment through the international recognition and acceptance
of measurements made in Australia

Supporting Science Translating research outputs into products, processes and services
& Commercialisation
Assisting in translating measurement skills & best practice into applications

Streamlining Regulation Providing a clear, unambiguous regulatory framework that delivers confidence
and fairness

Building a High Being an employer of choice that prioritises the safety of staff and inspires teams
Performing Organisation and individuals

Improving access to NMI’s capabilities and services for external users

4 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018
Message from the CEO
In 2014 NMI celebrated ten years as a single organisation
delivering the peak measurement infrastructure upon
which Australians rely. In fulfilling this role we respond to
Australia’s evolving measurement needs. We established
a national system of trade measurement and developed
new capabilities including nanoscale measurement and
DNA-based biological measurement and we ceased
several activities that became routine or were delivered
by the private sector. Continuing this cycle of replacing
superseded capabilities with new is essential to our
support for an innovative, prosperous and productive
Australia.
Australia has strategic measurement needs that are met
by both NMI and private sector providers, and this mix is
evolving. Filling the ever-changing gap between Australia’s
needs and services available from the market is NMI’s key
challenge. Future measurement needs are numerous and
diverse, and we work in a national and international
environment of significant economic constraints. NMI
cannot meet all these needs from its own resources; in
addition to providing measurement services, scientific,
regulatory and policy advice we must also promote and
enable investment in measurement across key sectors of
the economy such as health and energy.
In the current economic and social environment NMI must
ensure that the regulations we administer impose minimal
burden on our stakeholders. We are supporting the
Australian Government’s regulation reform agenda by
continually streamlining our regulations and their
administration. This involves a critical review and
amendment of our regulatory framework that balances
risk against regulatory outcomes.
In this context, delivering integrated, inter-disciplinary
solutions to stakeholders is at the heart of our strategy for
the next four years and beyond.
Our strategy comprises five key themes:
• targeted market approach to sectors of the economy
• increasing policy influence
• greater engagement to maintain and enhance relevance
• building new capabilities
• prioritising efforts
Organisationally, NMI will need to evolve to deliver our
strategy. We are strengthening inter-disciplinary and
stakeholder-focused leadership and work programs and
our policy capabilities so that we can consistently assess
and contribute to issues. I am confident that the strategy’s
five themes, supported by this internal evolution, provide a
solid foundation for the provision of Australia’s measure-
ment needs well into the future.
Part of this solid foundation is the Australian Government’s
confidence that the governance arrangements best suit
our national context. As we deliver on our strategy we
will consider the alignment of our varied functions with
those of other agencies and the capabilities of the private
sector. We will also support decision-making processes
and implement changes as necessary to deliver the best
outcome for Australia.
In undertaking all this, we will continue to uphold the
values of the Australian Public Service, maintain our
commitment to excellence, and invest in our staff to
enhance the relevance of our measurement expertise. We
will continue to give work health and safety priority over all
other considerations.
We have set ourselves challenging but achievable goals.
Success will be denoted by the public awareness of the
significance of measurement, the value that the public
places on our activities, and the trust that they have in our
capabilities – in food testing, forensics, trade, nanoparticle
measurement – to name but a few.
I am confident that our strategy will deliver a dynamic and
flexible measurement infrastructure that underpins the
economy and well-being of Australia.
Dr Peter Fisk
Chief Executive and Chief Metrologist
March 2015

Strategic
CONTEXT
National measurement infrastructure and practices
everywhere are being challenged by rapid scientific and
economic development, technological innovation, and
new and unexpected applications of knowledge and
technologies. New measurement needs emerge while
others decline or become accepted practice by industry.
These broader changes occur alongside contemporary
domestic economic and policy imperatives such as the
emphasis on minimal and efficient regulation with
significantly reduced cost burden.
Global approaches to measurement are essential for
trans-national trade and serve as a technical basis for
solving major scientific, social and economic challenges.
Inter-governmental treaties that provide agreed
frameworks for scientific and legal measurement
facilitate the realisation of outcomes from international
engagement on measurement.
NMI recognises the need for new and innovative
approaches to offer value-added services to our
Scientific/Technological
Developments
New developments allow
greater precision and
create new possibilities
for health, the environment
and energy.
Informing Government
Measurement informs
policy, improves economic
performance and supports
effective regulation that
underpins the integrity of trade
with reduced cost burden.
BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018 5
stakeholders, particularly in solving multi-faceted,
complex issues. Trusted, fit-for-purpose measurement
can help improve productivity by maximizing production
line efficiency, reducing waste, pollution and energy use.
Measurement can assist in understanding biological
processes and contribute to better decision making on
potentially contentious economic activities. NMI will meet
these challenges by providing relevant services and
solutions as well as by using our measurement expertise
to inform contemporary government policy and provide
integrated, inter-disciplinary measurement responses.
By coordinating and fully utilising NMI’s in-house
knowledge, expertise and strengths across measurement
disciplines, NMI will maximise the benefits it delivers to
Australia.
The following sections summarise our strategy and its
implementation, providing a roadmap for delivering the
measurement needs of today and anticipating the
measurement needs of tomorrow.
Economic Growth
Global measurement
linkages support national
economies and trans-
national trade.
Knowledge Economy
Knowledge-based services
facilitate innovation and
provide solutions for society.
6 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018

Strategic

AGENDA
NMI will implement five strategies to deliver greater benefits from
measurement to the Australian economy.

MARKET APPROACH
Increase services to
sectors of the economy
including energy, health,
environment and food

PRIORITISE EFFORT POLICY INFLUENCE

Review activities and realign Contribute to government
priorities in response to policy and agenda;
available resourcing and simplify and consolidate
other challenges
Measurement policy, regulation
science and regulation
underpinning the
economy and well-
being of Australia

GREATER ENGAGEMENT BUILD CAPABILITY

Increase engagement in Develop skills in project
order to promote greater management & collaboration
investment in and work in a more
measurement multi-disciplinary way
 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018 7

Market Approach
Focus on priority sectors of the economy where investment in measurement
can benefit industry, trade and government

Actions Goals during 2014 – 2018 Desired Outcomes

Energy sector: • Develop new calibration and testing services NMI will provide greater benefits from
Extend the range for electricity grids (e.g. fast transients, on-site measurement and has commenced
and delivery of high-current calibrations) engagement with key partners and
measurement in customers. NMI supports the
• Establish and promote the capability to
energy and economy and society:
calibrate natural gas meters used in pipelines
resources
and the transport industry • with new measurements that will
increase transparency and trust
• Support natural gas export industry with
reference gas mixtures and flow calibration • with standards and regulations that
services and underpin the development of a facilitate functioning of the economy
high-flow, high-pressure calibration facility.
• by ensuring the energy and resources
industries have access to measurement
Environmental • Increase water and air testing (market infrastructure that aligns with industry
sector: uptake, method development) to support policies such as the Energy White Paper
Extend support for extraction of unconventional gas • by providing measurement activities
the measurement related to health.
• Broaden the scale of activity in emerging
of environmental
contaminants including persistent organic
contaminants
pollutants to support regulatory frameworks
and consumer confidence.

Health sector: • Provide industry with quality benchmarks

Support the quality for pathology testing
of pathology services,
• Develop effective and practical test protocols
accuracy of medical
for medical measuring devices
measuring devices, and
effectiveness of new • Integrate best measurement practice into
medical technologies new medical technologies such as genetic
tests and nanomedicines.

Extend sector focus • Develop and implement food sector strategy

approach
• Establish focus teams to scope measurement
needs in other economic sectors.

Analysing chemicals in
the environment
NMI has supported Australian industry actions regarding
environmental sustainability by responding to major oil
spill incidents, assessing historical industrial
contamination, and monitoring water quality during all
phases of the water cycle. The resources industry benefits
from a customer focussed analytical supplier, the
community benefits from a clean environment and the
regulators are assured that the results of testing are
accurate and come from an independent source.
8 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018

Policy Influence
Strengthen measurement input into policy development

Actions Goals during 2014 – 2018 Desired Outcomes

Proactively identify • Align NMI priorities with government and NMI will promote the positive returns
opportunities to departmental objectives and externalities from increased
contribute expertise investment in measurement. NMI will
• Reduce regulatory burden
to government's endeavour to ensure that contemporary
policy agenda • Enhance policy contributions in key areas policy challenges are informed by
including energy, health, environment and measurement science and applications
food in areas including health, energy,
environment, transport, infrastructure
• Review international engagement to ensure
and food. Where trading partners’ policy
it meets industry objectives.
considerations determine a need for
regulation based on measurement,
NMI can assist with determining the
Simplify and • Engage with industry, advisory and
minimum levels needed for
consolidate consultative groups on regulatory framework
effectiveness. Measurement will
measurement
• Complete deregulation review and support a stronger, more productive and
regulation
implement changes. diverse economy with more innovation,
investment and jobs:
• Industry Policy: measurement can
assist industry productivity, growth,
trade and competitiveness
• Deregulation: measurement regulation
will only be applied and maintained
where it is necessary and where a net
benefit can be demonstrated. NMI will
administer regulations with common
sense, empathy and respect.

National Trade Measurement –

reducing costs to industry
On 1 July 2010, a new national system of trade
measurement was established under NMI’s administration.
Prior to 2010 trade measurement was administered by
States and Territories, meaning that Australian businesses
had to deal with up to eight different regulatory systems.

NMI brought Australia’s trade measurement regimes

together by creating one consistent and reliable national
system that better meets the needs of Australian business
and supports the international reputation of our exported
products.
 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018 9

Greater Engagement
An effective market approach requires greater engagement to promote investment
in measurement

Actions Goals during 2014 – 2018 Desired Outcomes

Proactively enhance • Continue and expand engagement program
stakeholder to anticipate and respond to changing
engagement and its stakeholder needs
effectiveness
• Establish a broader NMI-wide business
development function and associated
marketing
• Set up advisory groups in particular sectors.
Wind down or change membership of advisory
groups when need is no longer present or has
changed
• Use integrated capabilities when we engage
with external stakeholders
• Identify key external partners – both national
and international – to develop coordinated
approaches and harness potential.
NMI will engage with key issues
facing Australian industry, trade and
government, and promote investment
in multi-disciplinary measurement
support. NMI will:
• provide integrated advice and solve
complex measurement problems
requiring multiple measurement
disciplines and multiple measurement
results
• effectively address today’s
measurement needs and technologies,
and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges,
so that measurement services align
with stakeholders’ needs
• increase customer satisfaction,
retention, and referrals, and reduce the
cost of doing business
• provide independent, clear advice to
align NMI services and activities with
industry needs.

Australian Illicit Drug Intelligence

Program (AIDIP)
In 2004 the government funded the Australian Federal
Police (AFP) to develop an illicit drug intelligence program.
NMI worked with AFP on the program and within three
years achieved such success that the project was
converted into core AFP business. Strategic intelligence
through chemistry has led to the disruption of drug
trafficking and the AIDIP is now one of the strongest
programs of its kind in the world, with NMI regarded as
a centre of excellence for illicit drug profiling.
10 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018

Build Capability
Build multi-disciplinary skills and capabilities to produce
greater value to stakeholders

Actions Goals during 2014 – 2018 Desired Outcomes

Foster intra-and • Establish multidisciplinary teams to utilise
inter-organisational NMI-wide skills and include external parties
engagement and where needed
collaboration
• Promote collaboration and knowledge
sharing across the organization, and develop
supporting systems
• Grow project management skills to enhance
delivery of a suite of evolving services
• Recruit for and develop existing multi-
disciplinary capabilities and soft skills of
communications
We will continue to build and evolve
capabilities to provide our stakeholders
with the measurement services they will
need in the future.
NMI is committed to:
• staff having a working knowledge of
skills beyond those needed for expertise
in their regulatory, technical or scientific
measurement areas
• increased information flow, improved
processes, employees doing their jobs
better, faster and less expensively, leading
to productivity increases and competitive
advantages
• equipping staff with business development
management and engagement skills
• planning, establishing project priorities,
and improving decision making, people
management skills and communication
skills with stakeholders.
Stakeholders will:
• have access to innovative, creative,
synergistic solutions and ideas that are
built on NMI’s diversity of experiences,
expertise and knowledge
• continue to regard NMI as a trusted
measurement partner

Enabling comparability of
genetic measurements
NMI's work in quantitative DNA measurement technologies
has provided the foundation to support the transition of
biomarker discoveries into validated genetic assays with
direct benefits for industry partners, researchers and
government stakeholders.

Applications of NMI's expertise in DNA measurement are

diverse, used to provide reference materials to detect toxic
algal blooms in water storages, validate diagnostic markers
for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, enable
implementation of the first test for gene doping detection in
NMI's Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory and prepare
verification standards for DNA measuring instruments.
 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018 11

Prioritise Effort
Review and re-prioritise our measurement science and services to maintain
on-going relevance and benefits to Australia

Actions Goals during 2014 – 2018 Desired Outcomes

Re-align current and • Establish external review panels, Technological changes together with
future capabilities systematically conduct reviews and stakeholder expectations and funding
with needs of implement findings pressures require us to review our
stakeholders and priorities and capabilities regularly.
• Identify, establish, and formalise networks
customers
and partnerships in order to maximise the NMI will ensure that:
return from collaborations
• activities and measurement
• Respond to market and environmental capabilities are assessed for quality,
demands for new services benefit to Australia, potential impacts
and alternative delivery mechanisms
• Reflect the changing economy and manage
resources to meet new priorities. • our capacity to create and share
knowledge and develop solutions with
stakeholders is strengthened
• stakeholder input and consultation
contributes to prioritisation of activities
and helps maintain a focus on best
serving the various sectors of the
economy.

Measurement facilities for

Australia's future
Over the past ten years, the Australian Government has
invested in a suite of major new measurement facilities that
can meet Australia's needs.

With this support, NMI has moved all its chemical

analyses into modern state-of-the-art laboratories in Sydney,
Melbourne and Perth; established unique biotechnology and
nanotechnology capability at its Lindfield site; commissioned
a custom site at Londonderry for testing liquid hydrocarbon
flow and rolled out a nationwide presence to deliver
Australia's trade measurement system. NMI's facilities
position Australia to use and adapt leading-edge
measurement technologies for industry, regulation and
research.
12 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018

Implementation

Strategic Action

• Energy sector: Extend the range and delivery of measurement in energy and resources

• Environmental sector: Extend support for the measurement of environmental

contaminants

Market Approach
• Health sector: Support the quality of pathology services, accuracy of medical measuring
devices and effectiveness of new medical technologies

• Extend sector focus approach

• Proactively identify opportunities to contribute expertise to government's policy agenda

Policy Influence

• Simplify and consolidate measurement regulation

Greater Engagement • Proactively enhance stakeholder engagement and its effectiveness

Build Capability • Foster intra-and inter-organisational engagement and collaboration

Prioritise Effort • Re-align current and future capabilities with needs of stakeholders and customers
 BUILDING LINKAGES • NMI STRATEGIC PLAN 2014 – 2018 13

2014 – 15 2015 – 16 2016 – 17 2017 – 18

Sig Max Sig BAU

Sig Sig Sig Sig

Sig Sig Sig Sig

BAU Sig Sig BAU

Max Sig Sig Sig

Max Max Sig BAU

Sig Sig Sig Sig

Max Sig Sig BAU

Max = maximum effort

BAU Max Sig Sig Sig = significant effort
BAU = business as usual

© Commonwealth of Australia ISBN TBC Disclaimer.

With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and where
otherwise noted, all material presented in this document is provided
under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/).
For the avoidance of doubt this licence only applies to the material as
set out in this document. The details of the relevant licence conditions
are available on the Creative Commons website (accessible using the
links provided) as is the full legal code for the CC BY 3.0 AU licence
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/aulegalcode).
This plan has been prepared by NMI and indicates our intended
direction given current knowledge and circumstances. It is not a
commitment by the Australian Government or to a particular course
of action.
NMI accepts no responsibility for the accuracy and completeness
of the content.
This document is available online at www.measurement.gov.au
www.measurement.gov.au National Measurement Institute
info@measurement.gov.au Bradfield Road
ABN 74 599 608 295 West Lindfield NSW 2070
PO Box 264
Lindfield NSW 2070
Australia
Telephone: +61 2 8467 3600
Facsimile: +61 2 8467 3610