Cultural Gift Program (CGP) valuers bring a depth of qualifications, knowledge, and experience in valuing cultural material to specific classes of material. The Cultural Gifts Program Guide provides detailed information about the role of valuers in the Program, as well as a detailed glossary of property classes. An up-to-date list of approved CGP valuers is here:

Applying to become an approved valuer

To value donations made under the CGP, you must be approved for this specific purpose by the Secretary responsible for the Arts, or their delegate. The CGP welcomes all valuer applications, with a current emphasis on the following classes of property:

  • large technology objects, eg. cars, train carriages
  • militaria, eg. uniforms, ensigns
  • items relating to Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand)
  • jewellery
  • textiles
  • tapestries

Should you wish to apply to become a valuer, please contact the CGP team in the first instance on cgp.mail@arts.gov.au to discuss your application.

To be approved, you must be nominated by a major public institution that collects material in the area of your expertise. Your application will need to include:

  • The classes of property you are applying to be approved to value.
  • Evidence of relevant experience relating to these categories.
  • Two referee reports for each class of property from professionals who are qualified to comment on your expertise. At least one of these referees must be an appropriate specialist staff member from the institution that is nominating you.
  • Copies of the Code of Conduct for Valuers and the Private Interests Assurance form signed by you.
  • We may seek additional information from you during the assessment process.

You will need to complete the following forms and email copies to cgp.mail@arts.gov.au:

Extending approved classes of property

If you are seeking extensions regularly, the department will ask you to apply to extend your approved classes permanently. You can apply to extend your classes permanently by emailing us with the details of your new categories. Once your new categories have been finalised with the CGP team, you should then seek reports from two referees for each class of property. As with your application to be a valuer, at least one of these referees should be a senior curatorial or administrative staff member from a participating institution that collects material in your new nominated categories.

One-off approvals

Occasionally valuers are asked to value items outside their approved classes of property. The department can approve a one-off extension to your approved classes in extenuating circumstances. For example:

  • The item is part of a collection, and is closely related to your existing classes of property. You are already approved to value the large majority of items in the collection.
  • The item is closely related to your existing classes of property, and it is impractical to engage a valuer who is approved to value the item.

Generally, the department will only grant a one-off extension where the item in question is closely related to your existing approved classes. If you need to seek a one-off extension, you must contact the department before you undertake the valuation. Retrospective approval cannot be granted. You can commence the one-off approval process by emailing the CGP team on cgp.mail@arts.gov.au Further information can be found at:

Frequently asked questions