About AAL
Astronomy Australia Limited (AAL) is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, whose members are Australian universities and research organisations with a significant astronomical research capability. AAL works with Australia's National Observatories, astronomers at Australian universities and the Australian Government to advance the goals in the Australian astronomy Decadal Plan.
Our Vision
Australian astronomy is world leading and publicly valued. We will achieve this vision by facilitating access for Australia-based astronomers to the best research infrastructure, encourage the sharing of astronomical technical capabilities to maximise their value to the nation, and inspire Australians with these astronomical achievements.
Organisational and Governance Structure
The governance structure of the company is detailed in the AAL Constitution and summarised visually here:
History
The 2006 Decadal Plan for Australian Astronomy called for:
"A peak body to coordinate Australia's astronomical activities and to represent it in international partnerships ... Such a body may not necessarily have formal authority over all the diverse elements that comprise Australian astronomy, but it can provide an effective governance mechanism ... The ability to seek and administer funds will also be a key element in the effectiveness of such a body."
National Committee for Astronomy of the Australian Academy of Science, November 2005,
New Horizons: A decadal plan for Australian astronomy (2006-2015), p.24
In April 2007, AAL was established, with agreement from the wider astronomical community, as an impartial and independent body, to manage the Australian Government's $45M National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) investment in astronomy infrastructure. AAL now comprises every institution in Australia with a significant astronomy research program, and is an advocate for Australian astronomy infrastructure.
Since its incorporation, AAL has coordinated the Australian astronomy response to, and managed the funding for, a number of national schemes and projects - including the Australian Government's investments in astronomy through the Education Investment Fund (EIF), the Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (CRIS), and a continuation of the NCRIS program. AAL also manages funding for, and represents Australia's interests in, a number of international projects - including a ~5% share in the Giant Magellan Telescope project and access to 8m class telescopes such as the Gemini, Magellan and Keck telescopes.
"A peak body to coordinate Australia's astronomical activities and to represent it in international partnerships ... Such a body may not necessarily have formal authority over all the diverse elements that comprise Australian astronomy, but it can provide an effective governance mechanism ... The ability to seek and administer funds will also be a key element in the effectiveness of such a body."
National Committee for Astronomy of the Australian Academy of Science, November 2005,
New Horizons: A decadal plan for Australian astronomy (2006-2015), p.24
In April 2007, AAL was established, with agreement from the wider astronomical community, as an impartial and independent body, to manage the Australian Government's $45M National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) investment in astronomy infrastructure. AAL now comprises every institution in Australia with a significant astronomy research program, and is an advocate for Australian astronomy infrastructure.
Since its incorporation, AAL has coordinated the Australian astronomy response to, and managed the funding for, a number of national schemes and projects - including the Australian Government's investments in astronomy through the Education Investment Fund (EIF), the Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (CRIS), and a continuation of the NCRIS program. AAL also manages funding for, and represents Australia's interests in, a number of international projects - including a ~5% share in the Giant Magellan Telescope project and access to 8m class telescopes such as the Gemini, Magellan and Keck telescopes.