| Australian Height Datum | |
|---|---|
 Example of a surveying expedition in the 20th Century similar to those undertaken to complete the Australian Height Datum. | |
| General information | |
| Unit system | metric |
| Unit of | height |
| Date Established | July 1971 |
| Reference Network | The Australian National Levelling Network |
The Australian Height Datum was introduced in 1971 as the official vertical datum for Australia, and thereby serves as the benchmark to which all height measurements are referred. The Australian Height Datum is an amalgamation of decades of spirit levelling work conducted by numerous state and territory authorities across the country, and was corrected to align with the mean sea level observations of thirty tide gauges positioned around the entire coastline.[1][2] While it remains the published vertical datum for all surveying and engineering operations performed throughout Australia, newer technologies have uncovered numerous deficiencies, offsets and distortions within the Australian Height Datum, leading to discussions about defining a new Australian vertical datum.[2][3]
- ^ "Australian Height Datum". Geoscience Australia. 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ a b Filmer, M. S.; Featherstone, W. E. (2012). "Three viable options for a new Australian vertical datum". Journal of Spatial Science. 57 (1): 19–36. Bibcode:2012JSpSc..57...19F. doi:10.1080/14498596.2012.679248. hdl:20.500.11937/20186. ISSN 1449-8596. S2CID 56168131.
- ^ Featherstone, W. E. (2006). "Yet more evidence for a North-South slope in the Australian Height Datum". Journal of Spatial Science. 51 (2): 1–6. Bibcode:2006JSpSc..51....1F. doi:10.1080/14498596.2006.9635076. hdl:20.500.11937/39721. ISSN 1449-8596. S2CID 53571234.