Australian intelligence and security agencies are investigating a suspected industrial espionage case at the CSIRO, the nation's top scientific organisation.

In revelations that will further test Australia's relations with China, federal police and intelligence officials are investigating a Chinese national who until last week worked in the CSIRO's highly sensitive nanotechnology laboratory in Melbourne.

The man, a post-doctoral student, is being investigated for allegedly accessing sensitive CSIRO data. A focus of the intelligence probe is determining whether the man sent CSIRO information to a foreign power.

The CSIRO's nanotechnology area works closely with Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

CSIRO spokesman Huw Morgan told Fairfax Media on Tuesday that "a matter relating to the possible unauthorised access and use of a section of CSIRO IT infrastructure by a CSIRO employee'' had been referred to the Australian Federal Police.