Collection Access and User Charging Principles

Download Draft NFSA Collection Access and User Charging Principles (PDF 136Kb) »

Please provide comments on the draft using our survey »

Legislative framework

The mandate for the National Film and Sound Archive access and user charging principles is established by the National Film and Sound Archive Act 2008 in the following clauses:

6 (1) Functions

The functions of the National Film and Sound Archive are to:

(a) develop, preserve, maintain, promote and provide access to a national collection of programs and related material; and
(b) support and promote the collection by others of programs and related material in Australia; and
(c) support, promote or engage in:
      (i) the preservation and maintenance of programs and related material that are not in the national collection; and
      (ii) the provision of access to programs and related material that are not in the national collection; and
(d) support and promote greater understanding and awareness in Australia of programs; and
(e) undertake any other function conferred on it by any other law of the Commonwealth.

and

6 (4) National Film and Sound Archive may charge fees

The National Film and Sound Archive may charge fees for things done in performing its functions.

Policy Framework

The NFSA has full responsibility for the national collection of audiovisual and related material works, and for selection, acquisition, preservation and disposal of works in the collection. The NFSA also interprets the collection and makes it accessible through its collection database, as well as hosting events and screenings, and delivers a range of national programs. The NFSA is an Australian Government funded agency and as such has a primary remit to serve the Australian people.

The NFSA’s operational activities are guided by its:

Together, these documents provide guidance on the policies and strategies that drive the NFSA’s preservation, collection building and cultural dissemination activities.

Access principles

The following principles inform provision of access to the national audiovisual collection of the NFSA:

  1. The collection will be made available unless there is a valid reason to restrict access.
  2. Access to the collection at NFSA access centres will be made available without charge.
  3. The NFSA will provide a reference service, supporting access for individuals and organisations.
  4. The NFSA will seek external collaborations with the aim of increasing enjoyment and appreciation of the collection.
  5. Access provided by the NFSA will be in compliance with Australian law and in particular the Australian Copyright Act 1968.
  6. Copying and loan services are prioritised for the audiovisual production sectors and for research and educational interests. Copies or loans of collection items for personal use are not generally available, unless an exceptional reason is demonstrated.
  7. Access may be restricted if it:
  • would be detrimental to the preservation of the collection item
  • breaches deposit, donor or other conditions under which the item was acquired
  • is subject to Indigenous cultural restrictions or would involve an infringement of copyright or moral rights, or
  • compromises the NFSA’s use of the collection in its own programs.
  1. User charging will be guided by the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines, 2005 except where the NFSA chooses to support special access programs.

Access services provided free of charge:

The following access services are provided free of charge:

  • The publicly available online database of collection items Search the Collection, including those digital copies of items available online
  • The use of onsite viewing and listening facilities, PCs and other equipment provided at the NFSA’s Canberra headquarters, Sydney office and at the Australian Mediatheque in Melbourne and the State Libraries of Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth
  • Onsite access to collection materials from the collection and the NFSA’s Library
  • Reference services, access service advice and onsite visitor experience
  • Contextualised digital content on NFSA websites including australianscreen online (aso.gov.au)
  • Selected exhibitions and public programs and
  • Outcomes from NFSA research programs

Access services where fees may be charged

User charging applies to enhanced access products and services including:

  • Copying of NFSA collection materials
  • Offsite loans of NFSA collection materials, including film prints
  • Commercial use and publishing of NFSA controlled collection materials
  • Selected exhibitions
  • Selected national programs and screenings, and
  • Ticketed cinema screenings and performances

Applications to discount or waive fees will be considered if they meet the NFSA’s strategic objectives. Applications must demonstrate approval will result in substantial benefit to the NFSA by resulting in:

  • Outstanding opportunity for increasing recognition of the NFSA’s profile, brand and activities
  • Opportunity for high priority collection acquisition and/or permissions for NFSA use of collection materials
  • High-quality research that adds significant value to the collection

Only the Chief Executive Officer or their delegate can authorise fee discounts or waivers.

The NFSA access and user charging principles will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Commercial activities

User charging also applies to NFSA commercial operations including sales through the NFSA shop and café, venue hire, consultancies, technical and preservation services applied to non-collection material and other specialist services that may be provided on a fee-for-service basis.