The Institute's Support Services provide facilities and services needed to ensure the day-to-day functions of the Institute. Operations cover corporate services, the provision of utilities and maintenance of other domestic services, instrument repair and manufacture, publication and media services, direct scientific support of chemical and other analyses, library facilities, information technology, and the provision of operational research vessels

Comprising eight separate sections, and directly employing 49 people, the Support Services group has an annual budget of $13.7m.

Support services
Analytical services 
Engineering Services 
Field Operations 
Human Resource Services 
Information Services 
Science Communication 
Information Technology 
Supply and Property 

This Section provides support to research projects in analytical chemistry and scientific resource management. It manages a wide range of laboratory facilities offering support ranging from complex analytical services to training and maintenance activities.

The Section participates in analytical intercalibration programs, such as that run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and continues the use of standard reference materials. Staff are specialists in the maintenance, operation and application of instrumentation and can liaise directly with suppliers and service personnel as well as with researchers. The section pursues an integrative style of service and hence Analytical Services staff participate directly in the Institute's research projects.

Contact: Frank Tirendi. 
Ph: (07) 4753 4263. 
Email: f.tirendi@aims.gov.au

This Section designs and produces scientific instruments and devices not readily or economically available in the marketplace. It has two skilled workshop groups with the capabilities and materials to design and produce a range of underwater equipment, instruments, and other devices.

• The metals workshop includes two modern computer controlled milling machines and their products range from substantial construction work (e.g. weather stations) to high precision fitting and turning.
• The electronics workshop produces a broad range of electronic orientated systems, modules and software for incorporation into instruments, controllers and other equipment that is deployed into the field.

Contact: Gary Brinkman. 
Ph: (07) 4753 4534. 
Email: g.brinkman@aims.gov.au

This Section provides policy guidance, procedures and expertise to ensure effective use of Institute personnel and equipment in the field. The aim is to produce safe, productive and economic results from field operations; servicing both sea-going and land-based research projects.

The Section is responsible for overseeing the vessel management contract. In addition, it includes sub-sections that support:

• diver training and technical support
• oceanographic (mooring) services
• small boat and loan equipment
• vehicle fleet management for the Institute

Contact: Tony McKenna. 
Ph: (07) 4753 4342. 
Email: t.mckenna@aims.gov.au

This Section oversees the effective management of the Institute's staff. It aims to establish a work environment that will attract and retain the best people, and encourage high levels of performance through systems of recognition and reward.

The Section is responsible for:

• Occupational Health, Safety and Environment
• performance planning and evaluation, staff development and training, merit promotion
• conditions of service, compensation and rehabilitation, recruitment and induction
• grievances and industrial relations, EEO and FOI
• payroll administration

Contact: Ian Stephens
Ph: (07) 4753 4319. 
Email: Ian Stephens

This Section ensures that Institute staff have access to the information sources, either through electronic methods or hardcopy, that will allow them to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently. Services offered include:

• reference research that assists scientific and support staff with their project management
• interlibrary loans using the library networks of Australia and the world for accessing material not held by AIMS
• online searches using specialised databases
• acquisitions including all purchases of Institute information resources
• cataloguing and indexing providing effective access points to database resources held by the Institute
• record-keeping and file registry, archives and mail services

Contact: Mary Anne Temby. 
Ph: (07) 4753 4321. 
Email: m.temby@aims.gov.au

The Section ensures that information about the Institute, its activities and achievements, is transferred to the local, national and international community. It does this by providing publication support for research and making scientific and corporate information available to the Institute's stakeholders, industry partners, the media and the general public.

Services provided by the section fall into three broad categories:

• scientific and corporate publication (including the provision of scientific illustration and production support for the publication of AIMS research outcomes and corporate reporting requirements)
• media and public relations (preparation of media releases, coordination of media coverage, staging of public tours, displays and exhibitions, maintenance of an online media resource and assisting scientific staff with media interaction)
• corporate writing and editing

Contact: Steve Clarke. 
Ph: (07) 4753 4264. 
Email: s.clarke@aims.gov.au 

This Section maintains and manages the Institute's central computing facilities and communications network. It provides integrated management information systems and electronic workflow procedures for all areas of the Institute.

Major tasks are:

• IT strategic planning and reporting, and overall information systems design
• detailed corporate systems design and corporate applications development
• corporate database and information management systems, maintenance and support
• systems support for central computing, communications and network facilities at both sites and in remote field locations
• corporate electronic communications
• data preservation

Contact: Scott Bainbridge. 
Ph: (07) 4753 4377. 
Email: s.bainbridge@aims.gov.au

The Supply and Property section undertakes procurement and materials management, security, catering, carpentry services and maintenance of the Institute's infrastructure.

The Section contains three sub-sections:

• Supply, which provides a procurement, storage and disposal service for all stores required by the Institute
• Property, which provides a functional work environment by providing a clean, well-maintained and operational infrastructure. The sub-section also provides security, catering, cleaning and grounds maintenance services
• Carpentry, which provides a carpentry and allied building maintenance and construction service

Contact: Alan Caldwell. 
Ph: (07) 4753 4351. 
Email: a.caldwell@aims.gov.au