In December 2015, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a $520 million, ten-year investment in operations at the Australian Synchrotron through the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). In March 2016, the then Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne announced the Australian Government's agreement to the transfer of ownership of the facility to ANSTO, with the transfer of shares taking place in July 2016.

As part of a transitional arrangement for the year from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, operational funding was provided to ANSTO by the State of Victoria, the Department of Defence, the Department of Education and Training, the New Zealand Synchrotron Group Ltd and from the Commonwealth Government, administered through the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. From 1 July 2017, all operational funding will be provided from the Commonwealth Government to ANSTO.