NSW Government
Environment and Heritage

Air quality monitoring network

A statewide air quality monitoring network provides current information to the community.

An air quality monitoring station in Singleton, NSW
An air quality monitoring station in Singleton, NSW.
Credit: Jason Potts/DCCEEW

Comprehensive accredited air quality monitoring network

We provide the community of New South Wales with accurate and up-to-date information about air quality. Our monitoring sites are set up in Sydney and several regional areas of New South Wales. Download the network site information (XLSX 66KB).

Our air quality monitoring networks continuously measure particles (PM10, PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and visibility. Wind speed and direction, air temperature and humidity are also recorded. We also conduct short-term campaign monitoring activities.

Our extensive network of NATA-accredited air quality monitoring stations uses Standards Australia methods where available. Technical information about the sampling methods and analytical techniques used in air monitoring programs is provided under How we monitor for air pollution.

We report the data as ambient concentrations and air quality category ratings, which are updated hourly and stored in a searchable database. A subset of our monitoring stations is NEPM-designated and we report on these annually through the NSW National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) annual compliance reports. Our data undergoes a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure reliability.

A view of the Sydney skyline from South Head Heritage Trail
A view of the Sydney skyline from South Head Heritage Trail.
Credit: John Yurasek/DCCEEW
Sydney

We began monitoring air quality in Sydney in the 1950s and now have an extensive network of air quality monitoring stations.

Muswellbrook Clean Air Project. Farming land and grasses in foreground with heavy industry in the background
Muswellbrook Clean Air Project. Farming land and grasses in foreground with heavy industry in the background.
Credit: Johny Spencer/DPE
Upper Hunter

The Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network monitors air quality for the region.

Newcastle Clean Air Project. Housing, buildings and infrastructure with heavy industry and harbour ports
Newcastle Clean Air Project. Housing, buildings and infrastructure with heavy industry and harbour ports.
Credit: John Spencer/DPE
Lower Hunter and the Central Coast

We monitor air quality in the Lower Hunter region across the Lower Hunter and Newcastle Local networks, and at stations in the Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions.

View of Bluescope Steel steelworks from surrounding streets, Port Kembla, with escarpment in the background and steam/pollution rising from one of the stacks
View of Bluescope Steel steelworks from surrounding streets, Port Kembla, with escarpment in the background and steam/pollution rising from one of the stacks.
Credit: Rosie Nicolai
Illawarra

We monitor air quality at Wollongong, Kembla Grange and Albion Park South.

Rural Farming, Wind and Dust Monitoring Station. Soil Land care and Environmental research. Wind erosion in the grazing lands of North West of New South Wales
Rural Farming, Wind and Dust Monitoring Station. Soil Land care and Environmental research. Wind erosion in the grazing lands of North West of New South Wales.
Credit: Simone Cottrell
Regional and rural New South Wales

Our monitoring network in regional and rural New South Wales includes key regional centres and multiple rural stations from the Community DustWatch network.

Staff monitoring air particulate matter at Chullora monitoring station
Staff monitoring air particulate matter at Chullora monitoring station.
Credit: S Pieta Vivers/DPE
National Association of Testing Authorities accreditation details

Jurisdictions undertaking air quality monitoring for compliance reporting purposes are required to be NATA accredited.

Newcastle Local Air quality monitoring station
Newcastle Local Air quality monitoring station.
Credit: Peter Robey/DCCEEW
Special projects monitoring

Special projects monitoring is carried out at some locations to meet special needs, usually but not always for relatively shorter periods.

Air monitoring site at Chullora measuring particulate matter, 10 and 2.5
Air monitoring site at Chullora measuring particulate matter, 10 and 2.5.
Credit: S Pieta Vivers/DPE
Air quality network review

New South Wales led the national process reviewing the design of Australian air quality monitoring networks.

More information