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Access our facilities
Getting started at Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis
Learn about accessing our facilities.
Key information
1. Apply to use SMM facilities by registering your personal and project details;
2. Download and read the Handbook of WHS Regulations (pdf, 115KB)
3. Complete the New Project Meeting Form
Note: If your project involves genetically modified organisms, you must apply to the University's Institutional Biosafety Committee for approval. For more information please refer to the Gene Technology Legislation page.
4. One of our Platform Scientists will contact you to schedule a New Project Meeting.
Users are classified into one of three categories to reflect their competency level on particular pieces of equipment.
| Category | Competency level |
|---|---|
| 1 |
|
| 2 |
|
| 3 |
|
A Duty Microscopist is available 9am-5pm; Monday to Friday (excludes public holidays) to ensure you are using the microscope productively for the whole of your session and to solve any problems you encounter on equipment. To contact them call (02) 9351 7567.
All incident reports must be submitted to WHS & Injury Management within 24 hours of an incident. Please submit an Occupational Injury Illness or Incident Report Form, which is available on the University's WHS & Injury Management website.
If you have any questions or need to report an incident or near miss contact our WHS Officer:
Dr Takanori Sato
(02) 9351 7541 | takanori.sato@sydney.edu.au
Please remember to acknowledge the role of our facilities and expertise in your research. Acknowledgments demonstrate how investments in equipment and people have led to important outcomes. Your publications are a vital part of the business case for ongoing funding. Here is a sample of correct acknowledgement:
"The authors acknowledge the technical and scientific assistance of Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis, the University of Sydney node of Microscopy Australia."
University of Sydney staff and students receive special subsidised rates. Please login to the Intranet to view service and access fees.
Rate categories:
- External academic/NFP: Australian universities, publicly funded research organisations and not-for-profits.
- Commercial: Industry users.
| Service type | Equipment/service |
External academic/ NFP |
Commercial |
| Equipment use | Microscopes (0–8 hours) |
$150/hr |
$350/hr |
| Equipment use | Extended microscopy (after 8 continuous hours) |
$37.50/hr |
$87.50/hr |
| Support services | Specimen preparation & data processing equipment |
$10/hr |
$20/hr |
| Staff operated | Instrument operations |
$200/hr |
$200/hr |
| Registration | New user registration |
$300 |
$300 |
Notes:
Rates are shown in Australian dollars (AUD) and exclude GST unless otherwise specified. Fees are reviewed annually; prices accurate for 2026.
Microscopy Australia Open Access Policy applies to Atom Probes, which are charged at internal University of Sydney rates for all researchers (NCRIS supported). Enquire for further details.
For Atom Probes, individual user cap of $2,200 for calendar year 2026 applies (except where an individual has multiple supervisors in any calendar year); this excludes registration and staff-operated instrument work.
Facility tours
To request a tour of our facilities please email smm.facilitymanager@sydney.edu.au with the subject VISIT and provide the following information:
- SMM facility you would like to visit
- full name, affiliation and contact details
- purpose of the visit
- preferred date and time
Please note: A minimum of one business day’s notice is appreciated and tours depend on staff availability. SMM labs are situated in high-security areas and visitors are required to bring photo ID for sign-in and sign-out.