CSIRO Fire Testing Facility Closure: AMCA Leads Coordinated Industry Response
13 June 2026
The loss of a domestic testing capability at this scale is an avoidable setback for the sector, and we will continue to push for a reversal of the decision.
AMCA has been actively engaged in coordinated industry advocacy following the announcement that CSIRO intends to close its fire testing facility. Australia currently has only two accredited facilities capable of conducting the large-scale fire tests required under Australian Standards. The CSIRO facility is one of them, and its proposed closure would leave a single remaining domestic option for manufacturers and contractors who rely on NATA-accredited test data to demonstrate product compliance and satisfy certification requirements.
The implications for the HVAC sector are real. Fire-rated products and systems used in mechanical services installations, including fire and smoke dampers, require testing under Australian Standard configurations. If the CSIRO facility closes, the pathway for those tests either runs through the remaining single domestic facility or requires engagement with offshore testing bodies. Offshore test data may not directly satisfy Australian requirements without additional local verification, and the cost and logistical complexity of international testing creates barriers, particularly for smaller Australian manufacturers.
AMCA's advocacy to date has included:
- Direct correspondence with CSIRO outlining the industry impact of the proposed closure and requesting that the decision be reconsidered or that a managed transition pathway be established
- Coordination with other affected industry bodies to present a unified industry position rather than fragmented individual responses
- Direct engagement with relevant government contacts to ensure decision-makers understand the downstream impact on the construction products sector
AMCA's position is that the loss of a domestic testing capability at this scale is an avoidable setback for the sector. This matter remains active and AMCA is continuing to push for a reversal of the decision.
