CSIRO’s North Ryde fire-testing lab, set to close, gets one more year
The fire-testing facility has been thrown a temporary life raft, with its lease extended into 2027.
Huw Bradshaw
July 10, 2026
Australia’s premier scientific research body CSIRO has confirmed it will extend its lease on a North Ryde laboratory.
What happened: The fire lab, in operation since 1944, was previously slated to shut its doors in December. Following pushback from industry figures, the CSIRO has agreed to a “temporary lease extension” until June 2027.
The laboratory is used to test the fire resistant capability of building materials.
Extension granted, but not yet permanent: A CSIRO spokesperson said the temporary lease extension agreed to this week would allow “time to work with staff and external stakeholders and consider the feedback we have received”.
Catching up: In May, CSIRO CEO Doug Hilton said the agency would be sacking 300-350 full time roles.
Shortly afterwards, it was announced the org would be vacating the historic fire lab premises after 82 years.
When asked whether the closure was related to recent job cuts at the agency, a spokesperson for the CSIRO said the decision followed an “extensive assessment of our long-term property strategy, and organisational priorities”.
Considerations to come: Industry players, such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects claimed the closure of the site would impact the delivery of new housing in Australia.
Speaking to the Lorikeet on Monday, a spokesperson for the HIA said shutting the fire testing facility would have “significant implications” for the delivery of new homes.
“Its closure would remove up to half of Australia's fire-testing capacity at a time when demand for testing and certification is increasing.”