Genetic methods for species identification are increasingly being considered for use in biological monitoring programs. Getting the most value out of DNA barcode data requires having reliably identified reference specimens that link DNA barcodes to morphotypes. In a recent publication we compared the DNA barcoding effort within Australia to that globally. We found that currently, DNA barcodes are available for only around 6% of the Australian aquatic invertebrate fauna and representation across taxa is uneven. We have developed a strategy for producing a comprehensive national DNA database and presented some initial efforts in creating this database. The Aquatic Invertebrates of Australia (AIA) DNA database was erected to house DNA barcode that is freely available for public use. Here, I will present the AIA along with the main findings of our recent publication.