South Australian Premier Mike Rann established the centre in 2005 following a recommendation from Adelaide Thinker in Residence Baroness Susan Greenfield.
[1] The centre's aim is to better inform public debate on the major issues of the day by improving links between local and international media and the Australian scientific community.
It is located at The Science Exchange in Adelaide city centre, which it shares with the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus).
[2] The AusSMC collects rapid round-ups of expert opinion and comments from scientists in reaction to breaking news and also runs national media briefings for journalists in cities around Australia.
"[3]As of November 2023[update] AusSMC operates with five full-time and three part-time staff and is headed by CEO Susannah Eliott.