Accessing the Collection
Access to the National Collection includes finding, viewing, listening, copying or borrowing items and is facilitated by the NFSA's Collection Access staff for a wide range of purposes.
Experienced reference officers can provide information about our services and resources, and help you conduct your own research into the NFSA's collection.
- You can Search the Collection online yourself.
- Visit australianscreen to access a vast array of curated film content.
- Material can be made available for viewing or listening at any of our Collection Access Centres in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart.
- Loan material for screenings or exhibitions.
- Copy for research, educational purposes or use in new productions.
Items loaned or copied for off-site access are made available with the permission of third party copyright owners.
The NFSA does not usually hold the copyright for the works in its collection, so clearing the right to use material and seeking permission from the copyright holder will be your responsibility.
As an archive, we are primarily concerned with preserving our collection and making works available for research on our premises. Copying and loan services are prioritised for the film, television and recorded sound production sectors and for scholarly and educational interests. We are unable to provide copies or loans of collection items for personal use, unless a direct personal connection such as an appearance or performance by a family member can be shown.
Terms and conditions apply, and fees are charged for access services according to our published fee schedule.
Waivers or discounts on our fee schedule will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, such as where there are clear and direct benefits to the NFSA. Only the Director and the Chief Curator may waive the fees charged for reproduction, research or usage on the advice of Senior Curators, Section Heads or the Chief Programmer.
