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The Museum has a new ticketing system. Read our FAQs

  • 9am–5pm
  • Free general admission
  • Shop

Join Friends for member benefits including exclusive events and discounts in our Cafe and Shop.

Let’s be Friends

Tailor your one-year membership with individual or group options.

Follow the steps to join or renew Friends.

Step 1 Choose your membership type: standard or exhibition
Step 2

Create an account

Renewing members using this system for the first time will need to reset their password using the ‘Forgot your password?’ button.

Step 3 Add members (optional)
Step 4 Pay for your membership

Join Friends

Standard memberships start at $50. Add additional members for $20 per member.

Buy standard membership

Renew standard membership

Exhibition memberships start at $100. Add additional Exhibition Members for $50 per member.

Buy exhibition membership

Renew exhibition membership

Exhibition Members enjoy unlimited access to paid exhibitions. Any children listed on an exhibition membership also receive free entry to paid exhibitions.

Unlimited access to Pompeii

Enjoy unlimited access to the Pompeii exhibition when you upgrade to Exhibition Member for $50 per year per adult.

For a limited time, Friends who upgrade also receive a guest ticket, to bring a buddy for free.

BenefitsStandardExhibition
10% discount at the Museum Shop and Cafe

Discounted entry to Museum exhibitions and events

Free entry to the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre
Subscription to the Museum’s magazine
Exclusive tours, previews and programs
Behind-the-scenes access to curators, conservators and other Museum staff
Access to our lakeside Friends Lounge
Unlimited access to paid exhibitions (also applies to any children listed on membership)  

Present your Friends card to receive free general admission and discounts at partner institutions. Terms and conditions apply – please contact institution for more information.

NSW

  • Australian Museum, Sydney
  • Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney

Qld

  • Queensland Museum, South Bank, Brisbane, including SparkLab plus:
    • Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich
  • Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville

Vic

  • Museums Victoria, Melbourne:
    • Melbourne Museum
    • Immigration Museum
    • Scienceworks

SA

  • South Australian Museum, Adelaide

Friends enjoy exclusive access to special events including our monthly Object Club and Time Traveller's Book Club. The forward schedule of events will be added in January 2025.

Object Club

Join us on the last Friday of each month as one of our Museum curators, conservators or other expert staff share their deep understanding of an object or exhibition. Free for Friends, bookings essential.

Time Traveller’s Book Club

Our Time Traveller’s Book Club is hosted by the Friends team on the last Tuesday of each month. Free for friends, bookings essential.

Who needs to be on my membership?

Anyone who will be visiting the Museum. Children 0–16 years old need to be accompanied by an adult and should be included on your membership.

Do I need to pay for my child who is 6 months old?

Children under the age of 1 are free, however they need to be included on your membership to enjoy access to the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre.

Are there benefits for children?

Children from birth to 6 years enjoy free entry to the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre. Children must be listed on your membership to enjoy events and programs for their age group.

What benefits do I get when upgrading to Exhibition Member?

Exhibition Members enjoy unlimited access to paid exhibitions. Any children listed on an Exhibition membership also receive free entry to paid exhibitions.

Is free parking included in my membership?

On weekends and public holidays and always for limited mobility spaces and motorbikes. Parking is monitored weekdays by the National Capital Authority. We encourage visitors check the short-stay and long-stay signs and to contact the NCA for more details or if you receive a fine.

How do I check my membership status?

To check your membership status log in to your account online. You may also contact the Friends team on 6208 5108 or email friends@nma.gov.au

Can I add people to my membership midway through my membership?

We recommend including additional members at the time of your membership renewal. However, if you wish to add people to your current membership, please contact the Friends team on 6208 5108 or email friends@nma.gov.au

General terms and conditions

  • Friends membership is valid until the expiry date printed on your membership card.
  • Membership is not transferable or refundable.
  • There is an additional cost for child members between 1 and 16 years of age. Children under the age of 1 are free.
  • Memberships are capped at 10 members.
  • You must produce your membership card to obtain the benefit.
  • Member prices, events, benefits, reciprocal arrangements and terms are subject to change at the Museum’s discretion.
  • It is your responsibility to notify the Museum of any change of address or contact information.
  • If your card is lost or stolen, please notify us as soon as possible to organise a replacement card.
  • The Museum has no control over the reciprocal benefits offered by other museums and galleries, or special offers made by our external partners. The Museum is not responsible for any changes to benefits or offers made by those organisations.

Discovery Centre

  • Free entry to the Discovery Centre applies only to the children listed on your membership.

Exhibition members

  • Upgrades to Exhibition membership are per member, per year.
  • Free entry to paid exhibitions applies to children listed on your membership.

Where to find us

Friends Lounge
Lawson Cres, Acton Peninsula
Canberra ACT 2601

Membership enquiries

9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays
Phone +61 2 6208 5108
Email friends@nma.gov.au

Bookings

Weekdays
Phone +61 2 6208 5021

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