Neville Smith has led the international effort to develop a global ocean observing system to support research and operational ocean and climate prediction. He played a major role in preparing the first comprehensive plan for a global ocean observing system, and the for eight years chaired the Ocean Observations Panel for Climate, which plans and advances the implementation of a new generation of (both 'in situ' and satellite-based) observing platforms. He has initiated and led the development of the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAR), an international experiment to ensure that new observing systems data can be used effectively.
With CSIRO colleagues, he won a CSIRO partnership award in 2002 for the development of a national ocean prediction system. As a pre-eminent international expert, he routinely advises and reviews national and overseas programs and laboratories. More than any other person in the world today, he has pushed forward the practical application of scientific and technological programs in ocean monitoring and modelling.