The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) was founded in 2007 to overcome hurdles to R&D success by providing open access to micro and nanofabrication equipment, essential to Australia’s scientific and economic future. It was one of nine original research infrastructure facilities established under the Commonwealth’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).

ANFF owns and provides access to capabilities that can assist in both the development of new products, and improvements to current production methods. Each Node provides expertise in a specific area, including advanced materials, nanoelectronics & photonics and bio nano applications. The ANFF commitment to providing a world-class open access user facility is underpinned by the sharing of best practice in service provision across the network.

ANFF now represents an investment of more than $400m in research infrastructure made by Commonwealth and State Governments, as well as partner organisations. The network provides access to more than 500 individual pieces of equipment across 20 sites, and is home to more than 100 experts employed under the ANFF banner that assist approximately 3,000 users a year to conduct nano-oriented R&D.

ANFF has become critical in translating ideas into products and the development of start-ups in a wide range of tech-based markets.

The Mission:

To provide access to micro and nanofabrication equipment for Australia’s researchers.

ANFF has been implementing a new strategic direction, aimed at improving support for industry and ensuring economic outcomes. The strategy targets areas where ANFF plays a key role in R&D, including Medtech, Space and Defence, and Energy. It is based on 3 strategic pillars, namely:

• Maintaining our position as a world class capability provider;
• Capturing the benefit of ANFF-enabled R&D; and
• Ensuring sovereign capability in advanced manufacturing.

With this strategy in mind, ANFF expanded its focus in 2021 to extend out-of-lab support and ensure businesses can access essential assistance through a customer-centred approach. The new approach has been employed to help reinvigorate key industry sectors that can be supported by ANFF’s cutting-edge micro and nanofabrication capabilities, and to enable Australia’s post-COVID-19 recovery while aligning with Government priorities.

The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) was founded in 2007 to provide access to micro and nanofabrication equipment, essential to Australia’s scientific future. Enabled by NCRIS, ANFF has become a cornerstone of research in Australia, and now represents an investment of more than $400m in research infrastructure made by Commonwealth and State Governments, as well as partner organisations.

ANFF’s activities are underpinned by our funding partners, orchestrated by oversight committees, and enacted by our Network of Nodes.

A broad portfolio of equipment is what makes ANFF special, but people are what make it exceptional. It’s our responsibility to ensure that we support present and future staff and clients by providing career paths, ensuring inclusivity, and guaranteeing our practices are as sustainable as possible.

Click the links below to find out more about careers with ANFF or within the R&D community, our inclusive attitude, and our sustainability activities across the network.