Optimisation is the science of making the best possible decisions when resources are limited and complexity is high. For industry, it transforms complex challenges into opportunities by improving efficiency, reducing costs and enabling smarter use of available resources.

From supply chain planning and manufacturing to inventory management, staff rostering, healthcare delivery, transport systems and financial decision-making, optimisation provides powerful tools to help organisations make informed, data-driven decisions.

Since 2021, OPTIMA has built an international, multi-institutional ARC training centre based at the University of Melbourne and Monash University that brings together leading expertise with a strong focus on applied impact. Through close collaboration with industry, the Centre has developed projects that address real-world challenges while training the next generation of researchers in advanced problem-solving and decision science.

Today, OPTIMA is the largest optimisation centre in the Southern Hemisphere, with a growing national and international reputation across both academia and industry. By connecting experts in mathematics, computer science, engineering, business and related disciplines, OPTIMA provides a collaborative platform that advances optimisation research and delivers practical solutions to complex challenges across multiple sectors.

Optima's Mission

Industrial transformation through stronger connections between academics and industry, supported by the increased uptake of trusted and sophisticated technologies.

Building Capability and Driving Change

We offer our students and academics opportunities to build their research skills, measure impact and develop projects. We connect them with industry, and we offer them: student exchanges, impact awards, grants for research, supervision opportunities, the chance to attend essential conferences and more.

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Latest from Bluesky

OPTIMA ARC Industry Training Centre 16/07/2026
Registrations for the OPTIMA Hackathon close soon. Join us at Melbourne Connect on 29 July to tackle this year's challenge: airport turnaround scheduling. Learn more and register: OPTIMA Hackathon 2026 #Hackathon #OperationsResearch #Optimisation #DataScience #Aviation
OPTIMA ARC Industry Training Centre 26/06/2026
Our May OPTIMA Members Newsletter is out, featuring our 29 July Hackathon on airport scheduling, plus member updates, grants, events and opportunities across optimisation. mailchi.mp/optima.org.a... #OPTIMA #Optimisation #AI
mailchi.mp OPTIMA Members Newsletter June 2026
OPTIMA ARC Industry Training Centre 16/06/2026
New OPTIMA seminar recordings are now live: • Bierlee — Integer Programming youtu.be/XMV-NRoZh28 • Ali — AI Scheduling at Changi Airport youtu.be/lwNlD7z4Ll8 • Wang — MPC for Water Systems youtu.be/a4pLS1BoHaA For anyone working across optimisation and applied analytics. #optimisation #impact
youtu.be Table Constraints for Integer Programming
OPTIMA ARC Industry Training Centre 12/05/2026
🟣 It's Int'l Women in Mathematics Day today 🟣 and we're proud to celebrate the incredible women of OPTIMA who are advancing mathematics through their research, innovation and leadership - and we stand alongside all the trailblazing women shaping the field worldwide💫 #WomenInMathematicsDay #May12WIM
OPTIMA ARC Industry Training Centre 02/04/2026
📥 Inside the latest OPTIMA Newsletter, we're feeling ⚡energised⚡ and inspired by the conversations on how #optimisation is driving real world solutions. Catch up as we announce new seminars and share opportunities in optimisation. mailchi.mp/optima.org.a...
mailchi.mp OPTIMA Outreach Newsletter March 2026
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Shaping the future of optimisationby connecting brilliant minds with real-world challenges.

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OPTIMA

Advancing an industry-ready optimisation toolkit, while training a new generation of industry practitioners and over 120 young researchers, who will vanguard a highly skilled workforce of change agents for industrial transformation.

Monash University
Clayton, Victoria, 3080
Australia
University of Melbourne
Parkville, Victoria, 3010
Australia

© 2021 ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Optimisation Technologies, Integrated Methodologies and Applications (OPTIMA)

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