Information publication scheme

Reforms to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) established the Information Publication Scheme (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, it seeks to publish information on its IPS page that assists the public to better understand how it makes decisions and administers programs.

Information to be published under the IPS does not 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

Download: NFSA agency plan

Who we are

The NFSA is a statutory authority established by the National Film & Sound Archive Act 2008 (Cth) (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

See also Statutory Appointments and our latest Enterprise Agreement.

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.

See NFSA Act 2008 and Screen Australia (Transfer of Assets) Bill 2010.

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. These can be accessed from the links below.

Developing the collection:

Downloads: Strategic Direction 2022–25, Accessioning Policy, NFSA Corporate Plan 2021–22 to 2024–25, Collection Development Strategy, Collection Policy, Indigenous Strategy, Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2022–2024

Sharing the collection

Downloads and links: Using the Collection, National Registry of Audiovisual Collections, Social Media Policy

Preserving the collection

Downloads: Deadline 2025: Collections at risk, Digitisation Strategy 2018–2025

Maintaining the collection

Downloads: Audit and Risk Committee Charter, Project Management Guide, Records Authority 2012, Records Authority

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

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

Submission on Copyright Modernisation NFSA – 3 July 2018 

NFSA Digital Economy – 4 December 2017

Earlier submissions

Submission to Parliamentary Committee on Intellectual Property Arrangements NFSA – 3 June 2016

Australian Law Reform Commission – Copyright and the Digital Economy – 6 August 2013

Sharpening the Focus: A framework for improving Commonwealth performance – 15 February 2013

NFSA submission to ALRC - IP 42 - Copyright and the Digital Economy – 14 December 2012

NFSA submission: Is Less More? Towards better Commonwealth performance – June 2012

Joint submission to the Attorney-General’s Department on the Draft Terms of Reference for the Australian Law Reform Commission Copyright Review – 27 April 2012

NFSA submission to the Attorney-General’s Department in response to Consultation Paper: Extending Legal Deposit – 20 April 2012

NFSA submission to AGD – 23 November 2011

NFSA submission on issues paper – 1 November 2011

NFSA response to the discussion paper on the National Cultural Policy – 21 October 2011

Inquiry into language learning in Indigenous Communities – 9 September 2011

Letter to OAIC, submission on determination – 16 August 2011

NFSA submission to ALRC - IP 40 - National Classification Scheme Review 15 July 2011

NFSA submission on Convergence Review - Framing Paper 10 June 2011

NFSA answers to questions on notice – 27 May 2011

NFSA submission to OIAC – 7 March 2011

NFSA submission to Senate Committee Australian Film and Literature Classification – 4 March 2011

Submission guidelines on licensing PSI – 2 March 2011

NFSA submission on proposed Terms of Reference of Convergence Review – 28 January 2011

NFSA submission on ALRC National Classification Scheme terms of reference – 20 January 2011

Letter to OLSC submissions on consultation paper – 12 November 2010

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

In the event that the NFSA contributes to a specific policy proposal, public consultation will be taken. External consultation measures may include the release of discussion papers and the use of blog and social media mechanisms.

Contact us

If you would like to contact us about anything related to the Information Publication Scheme:

Governance Branch
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
GPO Box 2002
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Tel: +61 2 6248 2000
Email: enquiries@nfsa.gov.au