Positioning theme
The Positioning theme provides a trusted and highly accurate reference system, ensuring spatial data is consistently located and aligned across NSW and Australia.
What is the Positioning theme?
The Positioning theme consists of the co-ordinates and metadata for a network of physical monumentation on the ground (permanent survey marks). The primary function of the Positioning theme is for all other Foundation Spatial Data Framework (FSDF) themes to be aligned with one another.
This theme is based on national coordinate and height reference systems so that spatial data can be captured, shared and analysed with confidence, regardless of who creates it or how it is used. By using this single reference framework, organisations can avoid misalignment, duplication and uncertainty.
Positioning supports a wide range of everyday and specialist activities, including:
- surveying
- construction
- infrastructure planning
- emergency response
- navigation
- environmental management
- asset tracking.
Accurate positioning reduces risk, improves decision making and supports new digital services that depend on location data. The theme also helps connect with national positioning programs, so NSW data can work with other systems and stay ready for the future.
Technical information
The Positioning theme uses national coordinate and height systems so spatial data aligns accurately across NSW.
The theme supports the:
- Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020 (GDA2020) for horizontal positioning
- Australian Height Datum (AHD71) for vertical positioning.
Datasets in the theme
What’s in the dataset?
CORSnet‑NSW is a statewide network of permanent GNSS Continuously Operating Reference Stations. The network provides positioning data and services so users can determine their location with sub‑metre to centimetre‑level accuracy.
Services include:
- differential GPS (DGPS)
- real‑time kinematic (RTK and network RTK)
- RINEX data for post‑processing.
Dataset uses
The CORSnet‑NSW network supports high‑accuracy positioning for:
- surveying
- construction
- infrastructure delivery
- agriculture
- mapping
- asset capture
- navigation
- emergency response.
CORSnet-NSW also underpins the NSW survey control network and supports airborne imagery and LiDAR capture.
Sourcing and updates
The network operates 24/7 and data is updated in real time. Station coordinates are formally reviewed and updated when sites change and at least every 5 years.
CORSnet‑NSW provides services in real time and after positioning has been processed. This allows users access to accuracy from less than a metre down to a few centimetres.
What’s in the dataset?
SCIMS is the authoritative database of survey control information for NSW. It stores coordinates, heights and related metadata for more than 250,000 survey marks established under the direction of the Surveyor-General.
Each mark includes horizontal and vertical positioning information and assigned accuracy classifications.
Dataset uses
SCIMS underpins:
- accurate cadastral boundary definition
- engineering and infrastructure surveys
- mapping and land administration.
The database provides a reliable reference for positioning activities that require known accuracy and consistency across projects and locations.
Sourcing and updates
SCIMS data is continuously collected and maintained. Updates occur daily as new survey measurements and improvements are incorporated, ensuring the dataset remains current and authoritative.
Together, CORSnet-NSW and SCIMS datasets provide a reliable source of truth for positioning in NSW. Planned improvements will strengthen alignment with national programs, and make positioning data easier to access and use.
Benefits of this data
The Positioning theme underpins all other Foundation Spatial Data Framework themes by providing a shared reference for location and alignment. The theme ensures spatial data from different sources can be accurately combined, compared and analysed.
By using a common coordinate and height reference, positioning reduces inconsistencies between datasets and improves confidence in spatial information. This is especially important when data is reused across multiple projects, agencies or sectors.
Accurate positioning supports the creation and maintenance of high‑quality foundation datasets, including:
- land parcels
- transport networks
- elevation models
- imagery.
It also enables efficient data sharing with national and cross‑jurisdictional partners.
As location‑based services continue to evolve, reliable positioning will play a critical role across NSW in supporting:
- digital twins
- smart infrastructure
- emergency response
- data‑driven decision‑making.
View the datasets
The NSW Spatial Collaboration Portal (SCP) gives everyone the ability to search and discover spatial datasets.
It also allows local, state, and federal agencies to deliver spatial data, asset management and visualisation services securely.