The Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence 
undertake highly innovative and internationally competitive research, which addresses challenging and significant problems and produces economic, social and cultural benefits to Australia. Building and enhancing Australian research teams and encouraging national and international collaboration are key aims in this flagship scheme, supported and managed by the Australian Research Council.
As part of the 2003-04 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced the establishment of five International Centres of Excellence under the international education package, with seed funding of $35.5 million over four years.
The centres are intended to build an international profile for Australia’s expertise and education excellence, and enhance Australia’s capacity and national skills base and research and professional development through strategic collaborations with domestic and international expert organisations. The centres will internationally showcase Australia's scientific, educational and administrative capabilities in their respective areas.
The International Centres of Excellence are:
- in Asia Pacific Studies and Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy located at the Australian National University
- in Education in Mathematics established by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute and based at the University of Melbourne
- in Tourism and Hospitality Education established by the Cooperative Research Centre in Sustainable Tourism and based at Griffith University
- in Sports Science and Management established by a partnership between the University of Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney, and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. The centre will be based at Sydney Olympic Park
- Water Resources Management established by a consortium led by the University of Adelaide.
National ICT Australia (NICTA) is the imagination driving Australia’s information and communication technology future. Established as part of Backing Australia’s Ability, an Australian Government initiative, NICTA plays a major role in the Australian Government’s policy to promote science and innovation, with its overall mission being to create an enduring world-class research institute in information and communication technology that generates national wealth.
With a focus on use-inspired fundamental research, NICTA attracts, develops and networks exceptional talent for Australia's future prosperity by concentrating on its four pillars: research, commercialisation, education and collaboration.