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Access Fees and Conditions of Use

Access fees and Conditions of Use

About our fees

Our fees were recently reviewed and our new rates apply from 1 March 2024.

Fees apply to any request that requires the services of our Access team, including:

facilitating research access to collection materials at NFSA Access Centres 
supplying digital copies of collection material (master quality and preview quality)
facilitating the use of collection materials under NFSA Licence Agreements and Usage Agreements
organising conservation treatment and/or technical examination of collection materials
loaning film prints and digital cinema packages (DCPs)
loaning original documents and artefacts
loaning original audiovisual components.

Every access request is unique, because it relates to different collection items. The total fee is determined by a combination of the following, where relevant: 

the volume and format of collection materials requested 
the amount of staff time involved to facilitate the request  
whether conservation, preservation or technical treatment is required  
copyright status and ownership of the materials  
proposed use of the materials  
urgency of the request.

Our team will work with you to provide a realistic assessment of the work, costs and timeframes involved to service your request. We provide itemised quotes for all work undertaken and generally require payment prior to work commencing.  

Read the NFSA Rate Card in conjunction with the Conditions of Use. 

See our Frequently Asked Questions below to learn why the NFSA charges fees for Access services, including for use of materials in the Public Domain.

Download the NFSA Rate Card

ACCESS SERVICES RATES

Research, handling and client onsite viewing

Research, handling and client onsite viewing	Rates
Commercial and audiovisual industry	$120 per hour
Non-commercial – government, educational, cultural organisations, researchers	$80 per hour
Technical and Conservation services	$120 per hour
Urgent jobs (same day – 48 hours turnaround)	Additional 25% on handling and digitisation fees

Research, handling and digitisation fees

Research and handling fees apply to all requests.

Digitisation and supply fees apply to all requests where a copy is supplied.

Loan fees apply to all request where material is made available for loan.

Technical fees apply to all requests where conservation treatment and/or technical assessment is required to make the required collection materials available.

Freight charges apply where physical items are despatched to clients.

Digitisation and supply

Digitisation and supply	Rates
Digital files and clip editing	From $80 - scaled according to number of titles and clips requested
Film, video, audio digitisation and post	POA
Still images	$30 per image
Documentation scanning	$120 per hour
External loan – film	$85 per title
External loan – video and audio	$55 per title
Film cleaning	POA final cost depends on length of film
NFSA-supplied hard drive or USB sticks	POA
Postage - express	From $15
Courier	POA

Theatrical screening loans

Theatrical screening loans	Rates
Feature film 35mm, 16mm, DCP	$250
Short film 35mm, 16mm, DCP	$150
Cancellation charge [less than 2 weeks from screening date]	50% of loan fee
Freight	Borrower to book and pay

Usage and licence fees

Usage and licence fees Applies only to NFSA-owned or controlled material	Terms and rates 30-second minimum use applies
Commercial and audiovisual industry	All rights / all territories / in perpetuity
Footage Audio Stills	$90 per second $45 per second $120 per still
Other uses	POA
Advertising and merchandising	POA
Corporate [non-broadcast]	Online only / all territories / in perpetuity
Footage Audio Stills	$50 per second $25 per second $90 per still
Social media only	POA
Uses other than online	POA
Cultural, government and educational organisations	Physical exhibition / limited term
Clips Footage Audio Stills	$15 per second $7.50 per second $60 per image
	Online only / all territories / in perpetuity
Footage Audio Stills	$30 per second $15 per second $60 per image
Social media use only	POA
	Physical exhibition / limited term
Whole title - Footage / audio (< 5 mins) (< 30 mins) (> 30 mins)	$100 / $50 per title $150 / $75 per title $200 / $100 per title
Other uses	POA
Community groups / volunteer-run organisations / registered charities	Physical exhibition / limited term
Clips Footage Audio Stills	$5 per second $2.50 per second $25 per still
Whole title – Footage / audio (< 5 mins) (< 30 mins) (> 30 mins)	Physical exhibition – limited term - $50 / $25 per title - $75 / $37.50 per title - $100 / $50 per title
Social media only	POA
Uses other than physical exhibition	POA

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the NFSA charge fees for Access services?

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Act 2008 (Cth) enables us to charge fees for activities done in performing our functions. Income generated from the fees we charge assists us to recover the costs of providing Access services and to continue to share the collection in the national interest through our public programs and online initiatives.

The NFSA Rate Card is approved by the NFSA Executive and fees are reviewed periodically. We recently reviewed our fees and our amended rate card came into effect on 1 March 2024.

How does the NFSA set its pricing?

Our pricing structure is designed in accordance with industry expectations. Our rates are tiered and include discounts for bulk use of material by commercial clients as well as offering our non-commercial clients discounted rates. Our generous support program is also available for eligible Australian creators. All fees are priced largely on cost-recovery principles.

The NFSA Rate Card is approved by the NFSA Executive and fees are reviewed periodically.

Why does the NFSA charge usage fees for material that’s in the Public Domain?

Preserving, storing and digitising the national audiovisual collection for future generations is a key priority for the NFSA.

While material in the Public Domain is no longer subject to the Copyright Act 1968, the NFSA supplies high-quality copies under a NFSA Usage Agreement for specific purposes.

Providing access to high quality Public Domain collection material assists the NFSA to tell the Australian story. Charging fees for this material also assists us to recover costs associated with collecting and preserving.

Our decision to charge usage fees, including for material in the Public Domain, has been approved by the NFSA Executive.

Can you help me estimate how much my Access request will cost?

Yes. If you know the specific collection items you wish to access, please use the NFSA catalogue to make your request. For a general collection access enquiry, please use the Access Enquiry Form. The Access team will provide you with an outline of costs and a timeframe to service your request.

I want to use archival footage, sound and images in my production or project but I have a limited budget. Can the NFSA support me?

We support eligible individuals and organisations to access archival footage, sound and images from the collection at a reduced cost for use in documentary productions and other creative projects through our Zero Fee Licence (ZFL) support program.

Not all collection materials are available under the ZFL program. All Access requests that do not meet the criteria for the ZFL program are serviced as standard requests and incur standard fees.

Where can I find more information about services for which the NFSA charges a fee?

See Access Services – Essential Information.