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.
Renew
Members using this system for the first time will need to reset their password using the ‘Forgot your password?’ button.
Once your account has been reset and you're logged in, select Memberships to purchase the renewal.
Join Friends
Follow these steps to join Friends.
| Step 1 | Choose your membership type: standard or exhibition |
|---|---|
| Step 2 | Create an account |
| Step 3 | Add members (optional) |
| Step 4 | Pay for your membership |
Standard memberships start at $50. Add additional members for $20 per member.
Exhibition memberships start at $100. Add additional Exhibition Members for $50 per member.
Exhibition Members enjoy unlimited access to paid exhibitions, including Pompeii. Any children listed on an exhibition membership also receive free entry to paid exhibitions.
Existing Friends membersMembers must log in to access Friends pricing when booking tickets. |
| Benefits | Standard | Exhibition |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
February
Pompeii by Mary Beard, ISBN 9781847650641
March
Unmaking Angas Downs by Shannyn Palmer, ISBN 9780522878387
April
Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica’s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton, ISBN 9780753553459
May
Living with the Anthropocene: Love, Loss and Hope in the Face of Environmental Crisis edited by Cameron Muir, ISBN 9781742236889
June
Games People Played: A Global History of Sport by Wray Vamplew, ISBN 9781742236889
July
A Brief History of Korea by Michael J Seth, ISBN 9780804851022
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.
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?
No. Parking is monitored weekdays by the National Capital Authority. We encourage visitors to check the short-stay and long-stay signs and to contact the NCA for more details.
Parking is free for all visitors on weekends and public holidays and always for limited mobility spaces and motorbikes.
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