Still need climate research: science chief

New chief scientist Alan Finkel says there must be a continuous commitment to climate science research with long-term funding and staffing.

Chief scientist Alan Finkel says there must be a continuous commitment to climate science research. (AAP)

Australia's new chief scientist Alan Finkel has taken a veiled swipe at the CSIRO's decision to scale back climate change research.

"There is no question that Australia needs a continuous and highly effective commitment to climate science, both to meet our national needs and to fulfil our international commitments," he told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Wednesday.

The CSIRO announced last week a change of strategic direction that will affect programs across the organisation, including climate research.

The immediate national concern was to ensure long-term data collections were funded and staffed and that climate modelling capabilities developed by the CSIRO would continue to be made available for scientists to use and refine, Dr Finkel said.

"Our contribution is particularly important in light of our central role in understanding the climate of the southern hemisphere," he said.

The chief scientist is pleased the CSIRO has committed to working with stakeholders to develop a transition plan.