Donating to the collection
Many of the Museum’s most significant treasures have been gifted by donors.
We’re always interested in unique pieces of Australian maritime heritage, and we’d love to hear from you if you have an item to offer.
What do we collect?
The Museum specifically collects and preserves items, stories, images and cultural artefacts that document the traditions and achievements of all who have and continue to interact with the nation's waterways and surrounding oceans. The Australian National Maritime Museum Act (1990) specifies that the Museum should 'develop, preserve and maintain the national maritime collection'.
How do we decide what to collect?
Offers of donation are assessed against our Collection Development Policy and must align with one of our six content pillars: First Nations, Ocean Futures, Maritime Archaeology, Society and Water, Migration and Cultural Diversity and Australia’s Role in the Indo-Pacific Region.
The Museum is caretaker to over 160,000 objects. We must carefully consider every offer of donation and its suitability for the National Maritime Collection. This process may take a considerable amount of time, and not all offers of donation are successful.
How do I donate to the National Maritime Collection?
For National Maritime Collection donation requests, please complete the form below, which will be forwarded to our curatorial team for consideration.
For book or manuscript donations to the Vaughan Evans Library. Contact them by email at library@sea.museum
Thank you for your interest in donating to the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Donate in other ways
The Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation assists with the preservation our fleet of working vessels, the growth and care of the National Maritime Collection, and the delivery exhibitions along with education and outreach programs.
Every contribution - large or small - helps safeguard Australia’s rich maritime heritage and share it in meaningful and memorable ways with audiences of all ages.
