Summary

The National Museum of Australia (NMA) was established to develop and maintain the National Historical Collection for the beneft of the nation, and to preserve and interpret Australia's social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation.

Creation

A national inquiry in 1975 (the ‘Pigott Report’) resulted in the creation of the Museum with the passing of the National Museum of Australia Act 1980 (the Museum Act). Collecting officially began with the inheritance of signifcant collections from Australian Government agencies, including the Australian Institute of Anatomy. In December 1996, the building of the Museum was announced as the key Centenary of Federation project, and Acton Peninsula was chosen as the site, with funding confrmed in 1997.  The Museum opened on 11 March 2001.

Abolition

Functions and activities

The functions and powers of the Museum are set out in sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Museum Act. Section 5 of the Museum Act specifes requirements for: 

• a gallery of Aboriginal Australia to form part of the Museum 
• the performance of functions in relation to the gallery. 

Section 6 of the Museum Act states that the functions of the Museum are: 

• to develop and maintain a national collection of historical material 
• to exhibit, or to make available for exhibition by others, historical material from the National Historical Collection or historical material that is otherwise in the possession of the Museum 
• to exhibit material, whether in written form or in any other form, that relates to Australia’s past, present and future 
• from time to time as the occasion requires, to exhibit, by itself or in collaboration with others, in Australia or elsewhere, material, whether in written form or in any other form and whether relating to Australia or to a foreign country 
• to conduct, arrange for or assist in research into matters pertaining to Australian history 
• to disseminate information relating to Australian history and information relating to the Museum and its functions 
• to develop and implement sponsorship, marketing and other commercial activities relating to the Museum’s functions. 

Section 6 also requires the Museum to use every endeavour to make the most advantageous use of the national collection in the national interest. 

Section 7 of the Museum Act provides that the Museum has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions. 

Legislation administered

National Museum of Australia Act 1980

Administrative structure

Historical agency address

Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Canberra ACT 2601

State/regional structure

Records created by the agency

Additional information

End notes and Sources

Museums in Australia 1975 (the ‘Pigott Report’): https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/558508/Museums_in_Australia_1975_Pigott_Report.pdf

NMA Annual Report 2022/2023: https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/806542/NMA-Annual-Report-2022-23-web.pdf