The National Film and Sound Archive's (NFSA) Information Publication Scheme (IPS) outlines the information we make available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

Reforms to the FOI Act established the IPS, promoting a pro-disclosure culture across Australian Government agencies.

This page contains a range of information about the NFSA that has been published under the IPS.

The NFSA recognises that, as far as reasonably possible, public sector information should be treated as a national resource. In support of this principle, we seek to publish information on this page to assist the public to better understand how we make decisions and administer programs.

Information published under the IPS doesn't include material held in the national audiovisual collection, which is exempt from the FOI access regime under subsection 13(1)(e) of the FOI Act.

Agency plan

View the NFSA Agency plan 2020 (PDF, 5.5 MB).

Who we are

The NFSA is a statutory authority established by the National Film & Sound Archive of Australia Act 2008 (the NFSA Act). It is Australia’s national audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, promoting and providing access to the nation’s moving image and recorded sound heritage.

Download: our structure.

View our:

• people
• latest Enterprise Agreement (PDF, 935 KB).

Statutory appointments

The National Film and Sound Archive Act 2008 (the NFSA Act) provides that a Board shall be responsible for ensuring the proper and efficient performance of NFSA functions.

The members of the NFSA Board are appointed by the Minister for the Arts by written instrument under Section 11 of the NFSA Act. A member holds office for the period of time specified in this instrument, for a maximum of three years.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NFSA is appointed by the Board after consultation with the Minister, under Section 22 of the NFSA Act. The CEO holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed five years.

What we do

The NFSA’s functions are set out in section 6 of the NFSA Act. They are to:

• develop, preserve, maintain, promote and provide access to a national collection of programs and related material
• support, promote and engage in the development, preservation and access to Australian film, sound and new media heritage that are not in the national collection.

Visit the Federal Register of Legislation website to view the:

• National Film & Sound Archive of Australia Act 2008
• Screen Australia (Transfer of Assets) Act 2011.

The NFSA’s Strategic Direction is developed in line with core functions and our legislation.

Our ‘operational information’ includes policies, guidelines and strategies that assist the NFSA in performing these functions. 

Developing the collection

• Strategic Direction 2022–25
• Accessioning policy (PDF, 409 KB)
• NFSA Corporate Plan 2025-26 to 2028-29 (PDF, 675 KB)
• Collection Development Strategy (PDF, 360 KB)
• Collection Policy (PDF, 941 KB)
• First Nations Engagement Strategy 2025-2028
• Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

Sharing the collection

• Industry services
• Social Media Policy

Preserving the collection

• Deadline 2025: Collections at risk
• Digitisation Strategy 2018–2025

Maintaining the collection

• Audit and Risk Committee Charter (PDF, 255 KB)
• Project Management Guide (PDF, 265 KB)
• Records Authority 2011 (PDF, 455 KB)
• Records Authority 2012 - Film Australia (PDF, 182 KB)

Our reports and responses to parliament

See Annual reports

Our submissions

Previous submissions to Parliamentary committees, the Australian Law Reform Commission and other agencies:

• Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Inquiry into Australia’s response to the priorities of Pacific Island countries and the Pacific region – July 2024 (PDF, 172 KB)
• Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) Inquiry into and Report on Civics Education, Engagement, and Participation in Australia – 21 May 2024 (PDF, 237 KB)
• Submission on Copyright Modernisation NFSA – 3 July 2018 (PDF, 4.05 MB)
• NFSA Digital Economy – 4 December 2017 (PDF, 290 KB)

Earlier submissions are available on request.

Freedom of information disclosure log

Information that can be published resulting from freedom of information requests, and routinely requested information can be found on our Disclosure Log.

Consultation arrangements

When we contribute to a specific policy proposal we will consult with the public.

External consultation measures may include:

• releasing discussion papers
• blogs
• social media.

Contact us

You can contact us by:

• calling+61 02 6248 2000
• emailing enquiries@nfsa.gov.au
• writing to Governance Branch, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, GPO Box 2002, CANBERRA ACT 2601.