Founded in 1996, it is a collaborative effort of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and the Tasmanian Government.

TIA is headquartered in Hobart with additional facilities including laboratories and research farms located in Launceston, Burnie, Elliott and Forth.

Industries that TIA works closely with include dairy, broad-acre crops such as barley and wheat, vegetable production, wine-making [see Tasmanian wine] and grape growing, fruit, pyrethrum and poppies (for the production of pharmaceutical opioids).

[2][3] TIAR (as it was known then) was established in 1996 and today it has research and teaching facilities at Sandy Bay and New Town in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.

[4] Its head office is located at the University of Tasmania's Sandy Bay campus in Hobart.