The National Cultural Heritage Account is a grant program that assists Australian cultural organisations to acquire significant cultural heritage objects that they could not otherwise afford.
Who can apply
Australian cultural organisations can apply for funding. This includes public galleries, libraries, archives and museums as well as historic buildings, local cultural organisations and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander keeping places for sacred/secret material.
When to apply
You can apply at any time. We approve funding on a case-by-case basis.
Funding available
A total of $500,000 is available each year.
About the program
The National Cultural Heritage Account helps to retain and protect Australia's cultural heritage for future generations and provide public access to important objects that tell a story about our cultural identity.
Australian cultural organisations that can care for and provide permanent public access to Australian protected objects have a priority for funding.
Given the special significance of Class A objects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage to Indigenous communities, grants in respect of those objects may be made to groups which do not have a permanent public collection.
Funding is approved on a case-by-case basis and usually covers only a proportion of the fair market value of the object. One or more valuations by valuers registered under the Cultural Gifts Program may assist in demonstrating fair market value.
The following Australian protected objects are priorities for funding:
- Class A objects in Australia and overseas
- Class B objects that have been denied an export permit
- Class B objects that have been granted an export permit on condition that they be available at fair market value for purchase by an eligible cultural organisation
- Class B objects that are overseas.
Find out more: The National Cultural Heritage Control List.
How to apply
To apply for funding through the National Cultural Heritage Account, you should submit an application using the Department's SmartyGrants online portal. The SmartyGrants application form is designed to assist applicants to demonstrate how their proposal meets the funding program eligibility requirements and objectives.
Before applying, you should read the National Cultural Heritage Account guidelines. The guidelines include information about the purpose of the program, eligibility for funding assistance, the funding process and responsibilities of funding recipients. The guidelines can be accessed at the Australian Government's GrantConnect website.
Care of your object
Successful applicants must agree to permanently care for and provide public access to that object.
The National Cultural Heritage Committee must be informed if a cultural organisation loses, can no longer care for or keep safe, or wishes to de-accessions an object.
Contacts
Cultural Property Section
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: movable.heritage@arts.gov.au
Phone: 1800 819 461
National Cultural Heritage Account fact sheet
Program logos
The NCHA logos are used to acknowledge Australian Government support for activities funded under the NCHA.
Who we've funded
We have funded state and national institutions, as well as regional and not-for-profit organisations.
Past recipients of funding have included:
2024
- Center Bagpipes, 1908, Mackay RSL, August 2024
- Hilda Rix Nicholas, Costume designs for the Pageant of the Southern Cross, 1917, Australian War Memorial
- Conway Hart, Portrait of Dorothea Pitcairn, National Trust of Australia (Tasmania), 1855.
- Rare First Nations drawing ‘Before the fight—a war dance’, c. 1890 by Tommy McRae
2023
- Geoscience Australia, Yowah Moon Opal
- Weaver Hawkins, Portrait of John Thomas Joyce, Australian War Memorial, May 2023
2022
- Hartnett Estate 'Woody' Wagon Motor Car no. 1068, c 1952-53, December 2022
- Andrews & Beaven, 'Empire' chaff cutter, Pearn's Steam World, August 2022
- Thornycroft Steam Engine, Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club, July 2022
- Alec Mingelmanganu, Wanjina on Bark, QLD Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art—July 2022
- Charlie Numbulmore, Wanjina on Coolamon, QLD Art Gallery |Gallery of Modern Art, April 2022
- WW2 Anti-Tank Gun, Trafalgar Holden Museum, February 2022
2021
- Jabiru Light Sport Aircraft, Narromine Aviation Museum, December 2021
- History of Australia Billiard Table, National Museum of Australia, November 2021
Also visit The National Museum of Australia website for more information. - McDonald Imperial Oil Tractor, National Museum of Australia, October 2021
- A collection of objects associated with Operation Jaywick and the Master of the MV Krait, Lieutenant H.E. (Ted) Carse, Royal Australian Naval Reserve. Australian National Maritime Museum, April 2021:
- A faux Japanese 'meatball' ensign, displayed aboard the Krait during Operation Jaywick.
- The Z Special Unit 1943 'Operation Jaywick' group of five medals awarded to Lieutenant Carse.
- Lieutenant Carse's Special Operations Australia Knuckle Knife.
- Georgetown (iron) Meteorite, Geoscience Australia, March 2021.
2020
- Percy Marks Presentation bracelet, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, November 2020.
- 7 Papunya board paintings from the Ian Rogers collection , Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, July 2020:
- Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri, 'Untitled (Euro Dreaming Ceremony)', 1972
- Uta Uta Tjangala, 'Tjitiji Kutjarra at Yawarrankunya (Two Boys Dreaming)', 1972
- Johnny Warangula Tjupurrula, 'Women'''''s ceremony in a cave', 1971
- Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri, 'Bushfire Corroboree', 1973
- Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, ''Tingari' Cycle Dreaming Journey', 1972
- Kaapa Tjampitjinpa, 'Untitled (Goanna Story)', 1971
- Charlie Tarawa (Wartuma) Tjungurrayi, 'The Importance of Fire', 1973
- Kaurna shield, Art Gallery of South Australia, July 2020
- Lady Francisca Adriana Mawson OBE's Piano Shawl and Paisley Shawl, Bay Discovery Centre, City of Holdfast Bay, February 2020.
2019
- Candelabra epergne from the Lonsdale Silver Presentation, Museums Victoria, June 2019
- Fender Stratocaster electric guitar used by Jim Skiathitis of The Atlantics to write, record and perform the instrumental hit Bombora, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, June 2019
2018
- Thylacine pelt in complete condition, National Museum of Australia, December 2018
- Silver Streak hydroplane, South Australian Maritime Museum, September 2018
- The Campbell Epergne, Orange Regional Museum, June 2018
- A collection of 23 paintings by artist Jarinyanu David Downs, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, June 2018
- 19th century Aboriginal shield, Queensland Art Gallery, June 2018
2017
- Chamberlain 8 'Australian Special' race car, National Motor Museum, December 2017
- 15.3 kilogram meteorite, Queensland Museum, September 2017
- 'Untitled'(1971) painting by Aboriginal artist Tutuma Tjapangati, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, June 2017
- Five piece bedroom suite by WH Rocke and Co, Museums Victoria, June 2017
- The Fire of Australia Opal, the South Australian Museum, January 2017
2015
- The Bulahdelah and Districts Historical Society's Alunite-veined Rhyolite Specimen, Geological Society of Australia National Rock Garden, June 2015
- The Marlborough Chrysoprase Specimen, Geological Society of Australia National Rock Garden, June 2015
- 'Otto' type stationary engine, Tangyes Limited, serial no 93, c1892, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, June 2015
- Collection of nine drawings by Hilda Rix Nicholas, Australian War Memorial, June 2015
- Gold paperweight by Hammerton & Sons, Geelong (1922) presented to Dame Nellie Melba, Museum Victoria, April 2015
- Marshall Colonial Traction Engine number 52110, Southern Tablelands Vintage Farm Machinery Club, June 2015
2014
- Bechstein Concert Grand Piano, 1878, the Powerhouse Museum, February 2014
- John Fowler, Three Speed, Road Locomotive 16161, 1923, the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery, June 2014
- Horace Moore-Jones, Landing at ANZAC, Painting, 1915, the Australian War Memorial, June 2014
- The Fairfax Media Glass Plate Negative Collection (1908–1930s), the National Library of Australia, June 2014
2013
- Virgin Rainbow Opal, the South Australian Museum, January 2013
- Innes Motor Car, 1904, the Australian Motorlife Museum, June 2013
2012
- Wedgewood Swan Vase, c. 1878, the Powerhouse Museum, February 2012
- Two opalised crinoid fossils, South Australian Museum, February 2012
- The Fairfax media Glass-Plate Negative Collection (1900–1935), the National Library of Australia, June 2012
- Water Dreaming at Kalipinya, the National Gallery of Australia, September 2012
- The Mary Anne Friend Journal, c. 1829, the State Library of Western Australia, September 2012
- The Marshall T6275 Engine, c. 1914, the New England Antiques Machinery Club, September 2012
- The Malcolm Moore Engine, c. 1956, Alexandra Timber Tramways, May 2012
2011
- A Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) Beaufort Bomber Mark V–A9–13, Australian Aviation Restoration Group, June 2011
- The Rennie Ellis Photographic Collection (1960s to 1980), State Library of Victoria, January 2011
- A sundial by Raphael Clint, c. 1837, Port Macquarie Historical Society, October 2011
- The Loch Ard Watch, c. 1812, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, October 2011
2010
- Two Nineteenth-Century Indigenous Shields, National Gallery of Victoria, January 2010
- Durack Family Papers collection, State Library of Western Australia, January 2010
2009
- The Adelaide Hunt Club Cup 1870, Art Gallery of South Australia, April 2009
- The Bruno Benini Photography Archive (1950–2001), Powerhouse Museum, April 2009
- Three Omai Relics from the Tobias Furneaux Collection, Australian National Maritime Museum, November 2009
- An 1885 blackwood table with inlaid mosaic, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, December 2009
2008
- A 1930s handwritten tonic book used by Harry Telford, trainer and part owner of Phar Lap, Museum Victoria, May 2008
- The Charlotte Medal, Australian National Maritime Museum, July 2008
2007
- A nineteenth-century Aboriginal wokali bark shield, South Australian Museum, April 2007
- Two drawings, A Fight and Another Fight, by Tommy McRae, c. 1890, Museum Victoria, May 2007
- A double bass by John Devereux, c. 1856, Powerhouse Museum, May 2007
- The Australian Jockey Club Sydney Gold Cup, 1950, Powerhouse Museum, May 2007
- A roll top desk, c. 1900, Norfolk Island Museum, June 2007
- A Fowler Steam Traction Engine, 1884, Nathalia and District Historical Society, June 2007
- Seven sketchbooks by Arthur Streeton, Official War Artist, World War One, Australian War Memorial, June 2007
- A Genairco biplane aircraft, 1930, Powerhouse Museum, June 2007
- The photographic archive of Mark Strizic, 1957–1977, State Library of Victoria, August 2007
- Eleven diaries of the Bussell Family, c. 1832–1840, State Library of Western Australia, August 2007
- A daguerreotype Aboriginal Man, Woman and Child, 1847 by Douglas Thomas Kilburn, Museum Victoria, September 2007
- An 1896 Fowler 0–6–0T Tank Steam Locomotive, Isis & District Historical Society, October 2007
2006
- The Pascoe Ichthyosaur fossil, South Australian Museum, January 2006
- A Broadwood Upright Cabinet Piano, c. 1830, National Trust of Australia (Tasmania), February 2006
- Two Gulmari Shields, Queensland Museum, February 2006
- A Ronisch Concert Grand Piano, c. 1880, School of Music, Australian National University, April 2006
- View of Geelong by Eugene Von Guerard, 1856, Geelong Art Gallery, June 2006
- A Hobson's Bay Pier Steam Hoisting Engine, c. 1854, Museum Victoria, June 2006
2005
- A Clayton & Shuttleworth Steam Traction Engine 1911, Millthorpe & District Historical Society, December 2005
2004
- The original Deed of Settlement of the South Australia Company, State Library of South Australia, February 2004
- The racing saddle worn on Phar Lap by the jockey, Billy Elliot, Museum Victoria, March 2004
- The Holden 'No.1 Prototype', National Museum of Australia, August 2004
2003
- Master Blackburn's Starter and Cosh, a cat of nine tails whip made between 1788 and 1892, South Australian Museum, January 2003
- A Cliff and Bunting Steam Traction Engine c. 1902, Museum Victoria, May 2003
- A Marshall 'Colonial' C Class Oil Tractor c. 1911, Queensland Sugar Museum, February 2003
2001
- An Aboriginal painting 'Water Dreaming' 1972 by Old Walter Tjampitjinpa, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, February 2001
- A 1923 Alfa Romeo Tourer motor vehicle, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston, May 2001
- The Frodsham Regulator No.1062, Museum Victoria for the Melbourne Observatory in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, June 2001The left shoulder plate of the armour worn by Ned Kelly at the siege of Glenrowan in 1880, State Library of Victoria, October 2001