The Innovation and Research Systems Group has a major role in taking forward the Australian Government’s research and innovation agenda in terms of how the Government’s investment can bring Australia maximum economic, social and environmental benefits. This includes coordination and oversight of the implementation of the Government’s $5.3 billion package, Backing Australia’s Ability – Building our Future through Science and Innovation 
(BOFTSI) , as well as implementation of some of the key initiatives in this package.
IRSG will be implementing two new measures announced in Backing Australia’s Ability –
Building our Future through Science and Innovation (BOFTSI)
- National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS)
-
Quality and Accessibility Frameworks (QAF) for Publicly Funded Research
These aim to better inform major research infrastructure investments, encourage research collaboration, strengthen monitoring of research quality and promote accessibility of research information and resources. At the same time IRSG will continue to deliver existing programmes for funding research and research training and systemic research infrastructure efficiently, fairly and accountably.
The Group is responsible for university research policy and manages the block funding programmes for university research. Innovation and Research Systems Group also provides cross-departmental coordination on the important agenda of the use of information and communications technologies in education, training and research.
Innovation and Research Systems Group (IRSG) is made up of the Innovation and Research Branch and Research Systems Branch.