Over 15 years, our work within the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) has significantly advanced plankton research in Australia via the National Reference Stations and the Australian Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey. Historically, plankton observations were localised and short-term, lasting no longer than three years. We have developed a suite of taxonomic products (Species Identification Sheets, Genus and Family Summary Sheets, Interactive Keys, Image Database and Distribution Mapping) to bolster our data quality and consistency across multiple laboratories. This ensures our data, freely available on the Australian Ocean Data Network portal, can support long-term, large-scale analyses and are reliable and robust. As traditional taxonomic identification to species level requires specialist skills, is time consuming and expensive - we are exploring technological advances and new techniques of data acquisition and interpretation that may be used to complement traditional taxonomy. Advances in data visualisation allowed the development of the IMOS Biological Ocean Observer. We are exploring modern image-based technologies like Zooscan, Ecotaxa and Flowcam, are trialing Micro CT scanning for 3D zooplankton models, as well as genetic techniques and linkages to global databases and bioacoustics. We strive to merge traditional expertise with contemporary methods for sustained, high-quality plankton data collection and analysis.