At the University of Tasmania (UTAS), around $1 000 000 has been invested in the construction of a cleanroom facility for the fabrication of miniaturised total analysis systems (ìTAS), or so-called ‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices and subsequent research activities. This exiting, multidisciplinary research area aims at the development of chip-based, fast and efficient portable analytical systems. The authors are part of a dynamic and diverse research team, which, together with Prof. Paul Haddad and Dr Mirek Macka, aims to build up ìTAS research in Tasmania, and to position Australia in the international ìTAS community.