Frequently Asked Questions
About the National Film and Sound Archive's (NFSA) Film Australia Collection (FAC)
What material is held in the Film Australia Collection?
Can the public borrow materials from the Film Australia Collection?
What is the procedure for viewing or purchasing footage and/or stills?
What is the procedure for purchasing titles from the Film Australia Collection?
Can I do my own research at the Film Australia Collection?
What about footage in the FAC in which the NFSA doesn't own copyright?
What about the issue of privacy?
About the National Film and Sound Archive’s (NFSA) Film Australia Collection (FAC)
What material is held in the FAC?
The Film Australia Collection (FAC) holds the audiovisual documentary materials produced by Film Australia and its predecessors, representing a century of filmmaking on behalf of the Australian Government. The NFSA manages these materials and the copyright in them on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia. These materials are available to license as stock footage and stills.
Can the public borrow materials from the FAC?
The FAC is not a public lending library; it is a commercial archival and stock footage and stills library.
The NFSA’s Collection Reference team operates a service for clients in the screen industry, educational and cultural institutions and corporations. Licence fees and service costs are listed on the Collection Reference rate card.
Footage licensed from the FAC is supplied on video tape or as digital files. When necessary, segments from film prints can be made available. The client covers these transfer costs.
What is the procedure for viewing or purchasing FAC footage and/or stills?
There are two ways to find FAC footage or stills:
- Use this website to search the online collection and make an online order enquiry about specific footage or stills.
- Contact the NFSA Access team using the Access Enquiry form. Using your brief, our team will provide you with an initial assessment free of charge. Fees will apply for more in-depth research.
A DVD preview tape with timecode of footage or reference stills will be sent to you by courier and post or as files sent electronically. Selected footage or stills can be transferred to a master version by quoting the timecodes or reference you require.
What is the procedure for purchasing titles from the Film Australia Collection?
Contact the NFSA Access team using the Access Enquiry form.
Can I do my own research in the Film Australia Collection?
If you require help searching the FAC catalogue please contact the Access team using the Access Enquiry form.
What about footage in the FAC in which the NFSA doesn't own copyright?
Clients will be required to seek approval from the copyright owner. Copyright owners may charge licence fees and the NFSA will charge an Access Fee equivalent to 50% of the Premium Rate licence fee.
What about the issue of privacy?
This website includes the NFSA’s Privacy Statement.
