The National Marine Science Committee (NMSC) was established in 1998 under Australian Oceans Policy and formerly known as the Oceans Policy Science Advisory Group. It is an advisory body that promotes the essential role of high-quality marine science in developing Australia’s blue economy. It also advocates for investment in and support for this key blue-economy driver.

To achieve this, NMSC assists coordination and information-sharing between Australia's research institutions, universities, Commonwealth and state/territory government departments and the broader Australian marine science community.

This community of marine stakeholders come together via the NMSC to provide scientifically robust, user-relevant advice on marine issues of national significance to Australia.

This includes the collaborative development of national scientific strategies that harness the breadth of our members’ sectors, stakeholders and interdisciplinary expertise. It also includes working groups that address the recommendations of the National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025.