GROUNDWATER - a water supply that is often overlooked - could prove to be Australia's saviour, according to Water Minister Penny Wong.

Senator Wong said the new National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training is to improve Australia's knowledge of groundwater connectivity, policy and management.

Senator Wong says groundwater has often been overlooked in Australia's water management.

Groundwater makes up about 17 per cent of Australia's currently accessible water resources and accounts for about 30 per cent of the nation's consumption.