Although Australia is often thought of as the driest continent on Earth, we in fact live above vast quantities of groundwater.

Groundwater makes up 98% of the fresh water on the planet. In Australia, groundwater accounts for around one third of our total water consumption.

In the last few decades, Australia has more than doubled its groundwater use, and this will only increase in the future as we strive to meet the water needs of a rapidly growing population, our native landscape, expanding industries and agriculture, all of which must coexist under the increasing pressure of climate change.

We need to know more about this precious, hidden resource: it is for this reason that the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training was established in 2009 by the Australian Government as a Centre of Excellence co-funded by the Australian Research Council and the National Water Commission.

Environmental Tracers in Groundwater Hydrology Course Program Brochure