Before we start, here is some more information on the different mapping, location and geospatial services that the Australian Government enables
The Australian Geospatial Reference System enables many applications, such as use of geolocation, use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), remote sensing, and machine guidance. Please see descriptions below of some of these common uses and terms.
AGRS: Like the foundations of a house, a Geospatial Reference System provides a stable, accurate and reliable frame on which all relative measurements can be made and connected together. One common type of frame are the lines of latitude and longitude on the Earth. Australia’s geographic frame is called the Australian Geospatial Reference System (AGRS). This frame, providing zero points to which we refer positions, directions and measurements of the Earth, is priceless.
GNSS: The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) refers to the range of satellite positioning systems, including the USA’s Global Positioning System (GPS) and others like it from Europe, Russia and China. People and machines rely on GNSS technology to determine position, velocity and time. Australia is one of few countries in the world with high visibility to six GNSS constellations.
GPS: This refers to the Global Positioning System, the USA’s satellite system that provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing services. It is only one of a number of GNSS networks that Australians can access. Currently, GPS signals are accurate to about 5 metres.
Geolocation: This is the technology that shows your location when using the internet, a smartphone or GPS receiver. GNSS satellites transmit signals from space that are detected by GNSS receivers and used to determine location.
Remote sensing and monitoring: This involves obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance. While remote sensing may happen just once to obtain information about a location or object, remote monitoring occurs over time to detect change. Both of these often benefit from the use of GNSS signals – and other satellite-based capabilities such as earth observations from space - to gather information about an area, or understand how an object has moved over time.
Location-based services: These are services that rely on knowing the location of a user in order to provide value to an in individual or device. Examples including applications that automatically display the local weather, provide directions to the closest ATM, or tell you that a friend is nearby.
Machine guidance, control, automation: It’s becoming increasingly common for machines to need to know where they are in space and time to operate. Examples include the systems that help direct the movement of semi-automated or fully autonomous vehicles. These are already commonly used in agriculture and mining and are being tested on public roads for goods and passenger transport.
Managing and measuring terrain: This refers to the use of devices, maps or reference systems to measure the height, depth, gradient, level of land or the seafloor. Examples include surveying land for construction, or managing water on a property.