Draft Collections Policy
Submit your feedback by 30 September
Purpose
This policy states principles and objectives for the creation and maintenance of UNSW’s collections, in all their forms. It supports the preservation of UNSW’s heritage, including its scientific, historical and cultural assets. It also promotes UNSW to the broader community and complies with relevant statutory authorities. All collections at UNSW support teaching, learning and research at UNSW.
Scope
The Collections Policy applies to all UNSW community members. If collections are accessible beyond the UNSW community, this policy also applies to alumni and the public. It applies to the diverse collections held by all campuses across UNSW. This includes physical, online, archival, purchased, acquired and licenced resources.
The collections referred to in this policy include the:
- Library’s digital, physical and rare book collections
- Academy Library in Canberra
- Museum of Human Disease
- Surveying Instrument Museum
- John T. Waterhouse Herbarium
- rocks and minerals collection
- UNSW Art Collection
- UNSW Canberra Special Collections (including the devolved contents of the John Howard Library)
- UNSW Archives
- UNSW Psychology Test Library
- collections of faculty and division-specific objects throughout the University.
A UNSW Collections Register holding information on specific collections is in Appendix 3 of this document.
Principles, objectives and procedures
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Section owner
Responsible Officer Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Quality Navigation
1.1. UNSW acquires collections to:
- support the delivery of leading practice in higher education, research and community engagement.
- align with its current and future teaching programs.
- serve as a foundation for coursework and long-term research projects.
- support and protect UNSW administratively and legally.
- serve the University’s Values in Action and the UNSW Strategy of Progress for All.
1.2. Collections provide access to trusted high-quality resources that support scholarly enquiry and evidence-based teaching and research.
1.3. The variety of collections reflect the diversity of subjects at UNSW.
1.4. Collections change to reflect academic trends, technological developments and the needs of users. Collections managers may need to accession or deaccession elements of some collections.
1.5. UNSW only acquires and retains items of collectable, educational or intrinsic value that enhance the University’s teaching, research, service to community, public image, or the documenting of its history.
2.1. UNSW proactively promotes the discovery and access to collections onsite, offsite and online through a variety of means. These include collections holdings, permanent displays, temporary exhibitions, presentations and social media.
2.2. UNSW provides access to collections in ways that suit each collection type. Access to some collections may be limited due to confidentiality, preservation, cultural and pedagogical sensitivity, legislation, licensing or safe custody and archival concerns. Public facing collections use ethical display practices and preserve human dignity when staff exhibit specific content.
2.3. Collections use contextually tailored, standards-based metadata to enable discoverability.
2.4. Staff collaborate with faculties and schools, the Library, galleries, archives and museums to integrate collections into curricula and research.
2.5. UNSW clearly communicates different methods of accessing collections (open, campus-only, controlled) to users.
2.6. UNSW collections manage licensing and rights to maximise lawful access, use and dissemination, prioritising open access where feasible.
3.1. UNSW recognises, protects and shares First Nations cultures and ICIP materials with respect and sensitivity.
3.2. UNSW acknowledges the ongoing significance and responsibility of ICIP within its collections. This includes the collection, description, management, preservation and provision of access to First Nations materials which record history, culture and experiences.
3.3. UNSW maintains culturally appropriate access conditions across certain materials in relation to ICIP.
3.4. UNSW recognises the cultural safety and protocols of collections incorporating ICIP. This extends to the care, display and handling of all items incorporating ICIP. This may include artefacts, records, artworks, materials, photographic, video and sound material and other items within collections.
3.5. UNSW recognises the importance of Indigenous Data Sovereignty, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples govern the collection, ownership and application of data about their communities, lands and knowledge systems.
4.1. UNSW collects and maintains accurate information about the material and resources in each collection. This ensures visibility for users and traceability for security and in the event of a disaster.
4.2. UNSW monitors and improves environmental conditions and security controls to minimise deterioration caused by environmental factors such as light, temperature, humidity and pollutants where staff store or display collections.
4.3. Only qualified conservators and collection care specialists may conduct remedial conservation on collection items.
4.4. UNSW commits to housing collections in conditions suitable for their material needs. Diverse formats require tailored storage solutions that promote physical and chemical stability.
4.5. UNSW ensures that public access, research and educational use of collections does not impact their long-term preservation.
5.1. Collections evolve to reflect emerging knowledge, UNSW community needs and institutional priorities.
5.2. UNSW maintains collections that reflect past, current and future scholarship, curriculum, research strengths, legislation and community priorities, as well as collections which reflect the past.
5.3. UNSW uses data-informed selection to shape the changing nature of collections. The University bases selection decisions on:
- citation trends
- curriculum mapping
- emerging technologies
- usage metrics
- researcher outputs
- teaching and learning needs
- community needs
- legislative requirements
5.4. Collections reflect diversity, equity and inclusion across formats, disciplines, creators and communities.
6.1. UNSW provides access to collections as equitably as possible to support teaching, learning, research and community engagement.
6.2. Decisions about access restrictions are made in a transparent and proportionate way. They consider:
- legal obligations
- privacy
- cultural protocols
- preservation requirements
- donor agreements.
6.3. Equity includes recognising that different users may have various levels of authorised access depending on the nature of collections material.
6.4. Where UNSW restricts collections, it provides alternative pathways such as mediated access, digital surrogates, or contextual information where possible.
6.5. UNSW applies access restrictions consistently, ethically and with respect to the significance of the material and those connected to it.
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Section owner
Responsible Officer Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Quality Policy lead University Librarian Navigation
This Collections Procedure states requirements that apply to collections and museums at UNSW.
Collections and museums may develop their own local instructions under the Delegations Policy, schedule 9.4. These provide the focus, content and management specific to each collection. Requirements stated in local instructions are consistent with the UNSW Collections Policy.
1.1. UNSW acquires items or specimens using various methods, depending on the collection. Acquisition occurs through relevant research or teaching activities, procurement, donation, or collection via fieldwork.
1.2. Collection managers set the criteria for acquiring physical and digital items. Acquisition is selective to prevent indiscriminate growth of collections. Collection Managers consider how to adequately store and preserve physical materials, as well as how to make accessioned materials available for research and education.
1.3. UNSW and Collections Managers apply formal collection assessment processes when acquiring collections to evaluate significance, relevance, provenance, condition and legal status. The University does not accept any items that others acquired by unethical or illegal means. Sensitive collections, including human tissue and anatomical specimen collections, assess, document and retain available evidence relating to consent, provenance and compliance with relevant legislation requirements.
1.4. UNSW may accept gifts, bequests, or donations for certain collections. Local instructions for specific collections specify the criteria for this. UNSW accepts bequests with lawful consent, and sensitive collections ensure compliance with relevant health legislation when accepting bequests.
1.5. UNSW keeps records of collection acquisitions, such as purchase receipts, cataloguing metadata and donor receipts.
1.6. UNSW has the right to refuse donations, gifts and other items for collections if accession standards cannot be met.
2.1. Deaccessioning is normal for any collection. It occurs where any item:
- fails to meet the acquisition criteria
- does not meet requirements for significance or relevance
- falls into unacceptable physical condition.
2.2. Deaccessioning and disposal will occur routinely and follow the method established for each collection.
2.3. The method of deaccessioning differs across collections. The nature of the item and reason for removal informs the method of deaccessioning. This may include transfer of ownership, repatriation, exchange, sale, gift, or destruction.
2.4. For sensitive collections, disposal procedures must follow relevant health legislation and ethical standards. Disposal pathways for human remains differ from general collections and must follow local instruction and regulated procedures.
3.1. UNSW manages its collections in line with relevant legislation, industry standards, leading practices and licence terms.
3.2. UNSW catalogues records using metadata standards relevant to the type of collection.
3.3. Records for acquisition, accessioning and loan documentation must follow best practice industry standards. Collection Managers can refer to the Records and Information Management Procedure in the UNSW Information Governance Policy.
3.4. UNSW updates provenance, condition and usage history for each collection type where possible.
4.1. Collection managers maintain environmental controls (temperature, humidity, light), where required, in storage, access and display areas to preserve collections. Ideal storage conditions for each collection varies according to the objects in the collection. Collection managers undertake all storage, conservation and preservation procedures in line with the UNSW Health and Safety Policy and the UNSW Environmental Sustainability Policy.
4.2. Storage and conservation requirements for sensitive collections are linked to safety as preservation procedures often involve the use of chemicals. Collection Managers for these collections can refer to the UNSW Health and Safety Policy.
4.3. Sensitive collections preserve and utilise human tissue with the knowledge that there may be considerable environmental impact. Preservation minimises health and safety risks, as well as environmental impact. Collections Managers for these collections can refer to the Environmental Sustainability Policy.
4.4. UNSW notifies Estate Management of collections and their environmental control requirements.
4.5. UNSW implements preventative conservation measures to reduce risks from pests, human handling and natural disasters.
4.6. Qualified professionals document and conduct conservation treatments of collection items.
5.1. UNSW consults any applicable Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Protocol requirements in aspects of managing University collections.
5.2. UNSW works to ensure ethical and informed use of First Nations cultural knowledge to assist in collections decision making.
5.3. UNSW seeks to embed Indigenous research material, understandings and knowledge into our collections for the purpose of teaching, learning and research. This is done in consultation with relevant communities and ICIP.
5.4. UNSW avoids acquiring Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property without permission from the relevant communities.
5.5. UNSW does not knowingly digitise collection items incorporating ICIP without the permission of the traditional owners and custodians of the material.
5.6. UNSW applies culturally appropriate descriptions and access conditions to First Nations material at the time of collection. Guidelines for First Nations Collection Description provide directions for description as well as engaging with the local community for description advice.
6.1. UNSW ensures that its collections are accessible to the widest possible audience, consistent with its educational, research and teaching purposes. UNSW pursues accessibility in a manner that recognises the diversity of collection types, formats, conditions and legal or cultural obligations.
6.2. UNSW acknowledges accessibility restrictions may vary across collections due to factors such as:
- Physical condition and preservation requirements
- Format (e.g., physical, digital, audiovisual, born-digital)
- Intellectual property and licensing restrictions
- Cultural sensitivities, including Indigenous cultural protocols
- Restrictions due to the nature of sensitive collections where access would be inconsistent with the original intent of the bequest or acquisition
- Restrictions due to highly sensitive material and ethical responsibilities to donors and their families
- Privacy, confidentiality, or ethical considerations
- Staffing and resourcing
6.3. UNSW adopts inclusive practices to reduce barriers to access for people with disability and diverse user needs.
7.1. Loans (incoming and outgoing) may require formal agreements outlining responsibilities, insurance and handling requirements.
7.2. Certain collections may engage in duplicate exchanges. This involves sending duplicate material to a collection in another institution to fill gaps or provide specimens required for research in their collections. These exchange arrangements are typically reciprocal between collections of various institutions.
7.3. Specific legal requirements govern the loans of some collections.
7.4. Staff must curate exhibitions with attention to intellectual integrity, cultural sensitivity and interpretive clarity.
7.5. Temporary displays must not compromise the condition and long-term preservation of items.
8.1. The University prioritises safeguarding collections through risk reduction over reliance on financial compensation. Insurance complements preventative care, security and emergency preparedness. UNSW manages this in line with the Risk and Compliance Policy.
8.2. UNSW guides insurance arrangements using an understanding of collections risks, significance and use. Where cultural, historical, or scientific significance makes items in collections irreplaceable, the University emphasises preservation, documentation and continuity planning. UNSW recognises the limitations of insuring intrinsic value.
8.3. Financial reporting and valuing accurately reflects the value of collections. UNSW recognises that cultural, educational, historical and research significance can exceed measurable monetary value.
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Navigation
Authority for procedures and instructions
The following UNSW officers are authorised to maintain and change the procedure sections of this policy in accordance with the Policy Framework Policy:
1. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Quality
2. University Librarian, UNSW Library (Policy Lead)
Role Position Responsibilities Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Quality
Responsible Officer
- Develop and own the policy document.
- Resolve contentious policy items.
Heads of School, Faculty Heads, Division Heads and Collection Owners
Collection Sponsors
- Operational stewardship of collections under their control
- Ensure collections are managed in line with this policy and approved procedures.
- Assign the ongoing management of each collection to Collection Managers.
- Oversee and approve the development of local instructions for specific groups or collections.
- Organise any evaluation of the collections under their custody.
- Support access to collections for teaching, research and engagement purposes.
Collection Team Leaders, Laboratory Managers, Technical Officers
Collection Managers
- Manage the requirements of their assigned collection in line with this policy.
- Strategically monitor the management of specific collections in their portfolio. This includes the allocation of resources, staff, spaces and funding.
- Ensure the physical and digital preservation, security and ideal environmental conditions for all items within their collections.
- Implement conservation measures while monitoring and managing risks to the collection including deterioration, hazards and loss.
- Maintain up to date collection management systems, ensuring that documentation is accurate, secure and accessible.
- Develop and manage budgets associated with collection development, care and conservation.
- Support all who access the collections to understand correct handling, storage and ethical use of collection materials.
Staff, Researchers and Students
- Use collections in line with approved policy, conditions, ethical approvals and access requirements
This policy is intended to ensure that UNSW complies with the:
1. State Records Act 1998 (NSW)
4. Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW)
5. Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW)
6. Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW)
7. Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW)
8. Government Sector Audit Act 1983 (NSW)
9. Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (NSW)
10. University of New South Wales Act 1989 (NSW)
11. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)
13. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
14. Scientific Exchange of CITES and Australian Native Specimens
15. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing 2010
16. Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth)
17. Biodiversity Act 2016 (NSW)
18. Human Tissue Act 1983 (NSW)
19. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth)
22. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 1975
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Term Definition Access
The authorised means by which users can read, view, or use physical and digital materials within collections.
Accession
The formal registering of accepting a new item into a museum, archive, or library’s collection. This involves assigning a unique identification or order number, transferring legal title and creating a permanent record for the item.
Acquisition
Taking legal possession and ownership of an item or group of items through purchase, bequest, donation, commission, transfer, creation, exchange, or collection of materials.
Archives
The specialised repository which identifies, preserves and provides access to permanent, historically significant records documenting the University’s history, governance, development and activities.
Art Collection
A collection that contains works of art collected and/or commissioned by the University since 1953. These works of art include paintings, sculptures, murals, with a focus on the collection of Australian art created from 1949 onwards, the date of the founding of UNSW.
Collection
i) A coherent group of items that have historic, educational, aesthetic, scientific, research or social significance to the University or its teaching program, where ownership is clearly vested in the University. For this policy, this term refers to a curated body of materials (physical or digital), acquired by the University for teaching, research, cultural, historical or educational purposes. This includes diverse formats such as physical items, digital items, archives, artworks and data.
Or
ii) The gathering of naturally occurring or cultivated specimens.
Collection development
The process of building a collection according to defined criteria of selection, with the aim of meeting the needs of the University and its users accessing collections.
Collection Manager
The person/s responsible for an individual collection held within a Faculty, School, Library, Museum, Archives, divisional or administrative area.
Conservation
The profession and practice of safeguarding cultural, historical, or scientific materials for the future by maintaining its integrity, minimising deterioration and managing risks to the materials, with limited intervention.
Cultural Gifts Program
The program administered by the Commonwealth Government that offers tax
incentives to encourage people to donate cultural items to Australian public collections and which is managed under the gift provisions in Australia's income tax law.
Deaccessioning
The process of permanently removing accessioned materials from a collection's
holdings.
Disposal
The physical removal of an item from a collection, after it has been formally de-accessioned following specified steps as defined in the relevant museum or collection’s local instruction.
Documentation
Information about items in a collection used to identify them and track their movement and use.
Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) means the tangible and intangible aspects of the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples of Australia passed down through generations of Indigenous communities as part of their cultural identity and includes:
(a) traditional knowledge including scientific, agricultural, technical, ecological and spiritual knowledge;
(b) traditional cultural expression including stories, art, designs, symbols, literature and languages;
(c) performances including ceremonies, dance and song;
(d) cultural objects including artworks, engravings, crafts, jewellery and tools;
(e) ancestral remains and human genetic material;
(f) secret and sacred heritage including restricted knowledge, significant sites and burial grounds;
(g) cultural environment resources including significant species, minerals, places, water and landform integral to the identity of Indigenous peoples; and
(h) documentation and records of the heritage of Indigenous peoples including film, photography, books, reports, sound recordings and digital materials.
The UNSW ICIP Protocol references UNSW to follow the Guidelines for First Nations Description.
Loan
The temporary physical transfer of an item for a specified period, from one institution to another, between units within the University, or from individuals to the University, where there is no transfer of ownership.
Loan agreement
A formal legal agreement between the University and institutions to record details about the lending of University items for temporary purposes, such as exhibition or research; or between the University and individuals, where the University borrows items for temporary purposes.
Local Instruction
Developed for each Collection or Museum to govern the focus, content and management processes specific to each Collection and Museum. Local instructions must be consistent with the UNSW Collections Policy.
Museum
That part of the University which:
- acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits items for the purposes of study, education and enjoyment;
- displays some or all its collection in a purpose-specific space open to the public at regular times; and
- may exhibit material from other sources from time to time.
Preservation
Practices to maintain objects in their existing condition no matter the format. Preservation involves minimising the rate of change, slowing down further deterioration and preventing further damage.
Provenance
The historical background of ownership for collections and collection objects.
Sensitive collections
Collections that require additional governance, documentation, handling, access, display, storage, or disposal considerations due to their legal, ethical, health and safety, privacy, or community significance. This may include, but is not limited to, human tissue, anatomical specimens, human remains, restricted-access material, or other collections subject to specific legislative requirements.
Special collections
A curated collection which houses unique, rare, fragile, or high-value materials requiring specialised security, handling and preservation. Special collections will often include manuscripts, rare books, photographs, archival records and letters that specialised staff manage ensure long-term, accessibility for research. They are valued and capitalised (accounting treatment).
Teaching collection
A collection maintained for the purposes of teaching and in-school research and reference purposes only.
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The UNSW Collections Register will capture collections at a specific point in time. UNSW recognises that the nature, type and number of collections will change and develop over time. Last updated May 2026.
Collection Description Website Accessibility Academy Library, Canberra
The Academy Library is a university research library, operating as part of the UNSW Library system. It provides access to exceptional print and electronic scholarly resources. This includes excellent military history and defence studies collections in addition to scholarly resources supporting teaching, learning and research at UNSW Canberra.
General Public to view
General Public (with membership) to borrow physical items
zID to access all items – physical & digital
Museum of Human Disease
The museum houses over 1,500 preserved human tissues, generously donated for education. The collection highlights a wide range of diseases and conditions including HIV/AIDS, cancer, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, genetic disorders and the effects of substance use.
General Public, UNSW staff and students.
Digital access to collection with zID log in
School of Biomedical Sciences Anatomy Museum
The UNSW Anatomy Collection, housed within the School of Biomedical Sciences, features extensive cadaveric specimens, plastinated models and digital resources for studying human structure.
Faculty/School Staff & Students currently enrolled in School of Biomedical Sciences courses at UNSW
Surveying Instrument Museum
The collection contains valuable instruments from the 19th and 20th centuries grouped into four categories:
Scientific and Mathematical Instruments, Theodolites, Levelling Instruments and Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) Instruments. This virtual museum has historical instruments such as the first commercial electro-optical distance meter (AGA Model NASM-2A Geodimeter), the Geodetic Micrometer Theodolite used for setting-out of the Sydney Harbour bridge and a number of instruments donated by the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority (SMHEA). These instruments are not publicly accessible. However, from time to time, they are loaned to museums to display at public exhibitions.
Virtual Access
The John T. Waterhouse Herbarium
The John T. Waterhouse Herbarium is internationally registered and holds over 61,000 specimens, including vascular plants and fungi, algae, lichens and non-vascular plants. Most specimens are Australian, with the majority from New South Wales and a smaller collection from other states and countries.
https://www.unsw.edu.au/science/our-schools/bees/about-us/facilities/john-t-waterhouse-herbarium
UNSW Staff, students, visitors and external visitors (with supervision as applicable) by appointment.
Rocks & Minerals Collection
A collection of rocks and minerals used for teaching and learning in the school of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Comprises approximately 3,000 specimens.
Biosciences staff & students
Some specimens on public display
Animal Specimens Collection
Comprising preserved animal specimens used for teaching. Preservation types are mostly bones and skeletons, and fluid preserved specimens with some dried study skins. These items can be used for research upon request. The collection comprises approximately 3,000 items across 3 labs in the BEES building
Access controlled by school of BEES, sometimes include schools, researchers, technical staff. Access during classes which use the collection. School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences and School of Biomedical Sciences access will be forthcoming. Not open to the general public except for items on display in the front window.
UNSW Art Collection
The UNSW Art Collection is a leading collection of Australian art, from the mid-twentieth century to the present, collected from a university perspective for the enrichment of campus life. The UNSW Art Collection began in 1955 and has grown steadily through purchase and donation to number over 1,300 works of Australian art dated since the mid-twentieth century.
Access via display throughout the University
UNSW Canberra Special Collections
This collection contains unique manuscripts, rare books, photographs, maps, posters, oral histories, objects and audiovisual collections. Also Included are the archival collections of The Howard Library – including both private and official papers – which has now been devolved. These collections (comprising the archives of former Prime Minister John Howard and several of his Cabinet Ministers), are now transferred to UNSW Canberra Special Collections’ Custody.
Private papers of the Howard Library are now owned by UNSW Canberra Special Collections, with the National Archives of Australia (NAA) retaining ownership of the official papers (NAA 001). Special Collections has custody of the first tranche of official papers under a Section 64 Arrangement with NAA.
https://www.unsw.edu.au/canberra/our-research/our-facilities/special-collections
Virtual Access to General Public
Special Collections is open to all internal and external to UNSW. UNSW/Defence requests are prioritised but enquiries from external researchers are also welcomed
UNSW Sydney Library Collections
The Library’s collections are spread across three sites: the Main Library in Kensington, Upper Campus; the Law Library in Kensington, Lower Campus; and UNSW Paddington Library.The Library’s collections include approximately 1 million owned electronic collection titles and approximately 485,000 physical mongraphs (print books) plus approximately 11,000 print journal titles. The Library subscribes electronically to multiple journals, eBooks, and databases but these are out of scope for this register as they are not owned by UNSW.
General Public to view
General Public (with membership) to borrow physical items
zID to access all items – physical & digital
UNSW Library and Records & Archives Digital Collections
UNSW's unique digital collections – a joint site between UNSW Library and Records & Archives – showcase curated special collections, research activities, communities, culture and history of the University. These collections cover both UNSW Archives and UNSW Library material.
Archives Hosted Collections
University Archives Photographs
Annual Reports
Handbooks, Calendars and Guides
Ivan Dougherty Gallery
Magazines and Newsletters
Library Hosted Collections
Rare Books Collection
Precarious Movements: Choreography & the Museum
The Reel Dance Archive
Dialogues With Real Time
Archives/Library Co-Hosted Collections
Uniken: UNSW Magazine
Tharunka
https://digitalcollections.library.unsw.edu.au/
Virtual Access
UNSW Psychology Test Library
The School of Psychology has a very well-resourced Test Library, which is available to all Psychology Master coursework and PhD students as well as to qualified staff in the School of Psychology. Please note that the Test Library is not part of the UNSW Library and is only accessible to the School of Psychology students and staff.
https://www.unsw.edu.au/science/our-schools/psychology/our-research/research-resources/test-library
Psychology Master coursework and PhD students
Qualified staff in the School of Psychology
UNSW Records & Archives
The University's records are its corporate memory, providing evidence of actions and decisions and representing a vital asset to support its daily functions and operations. They protect the interests of UNSW and the rights of staff, graduates, students and citizens and help UNSW to deliver its services in consistent and equitable ways.
https://www.unsw.edu.au/assurance-integrity/records-archives
Virtual Access to digital items
Access to physical items by appointment
UNSW theBox
theBox is UNSW's online media management tool which allows you to organise media and share them in Moodle courses and on websites. theBox was developed specifically for UNSW and integrates closely with Moodle via the Media Collection activity and the Moodle file picker.
zID login only
Collections identified by UNSW Schools
Collection Description Website Accessibility Aviation
Model planes and framed photographs of aircraft once flown by School of Aviation
Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences
Patient blood samples
Waste water (sewage water) to search for viruses.
Samples of bacteria from patients
Samples of bacteria. Fungi from the environment,
mud and water samples from the environment
Chemistry
Scientific Instrument Collection. A collection of instruments dating from the early 19th century to the recent past
School of Chemistry Staff & Students Only. The collection is in the process of being regathered and inventoried
Optometry & Vision Science
Portrait Collection of all previous Heads of School. Collection of various materials, archives, objects & artefacts in display cabinets in the UNSW Optometry Clinic.
School of Optometry & Vision Science
Computer Science & Engineering
Historical computing equipment is displayed on the ground floor and level 1 of Building K17.
Computer Science & Engineering
Minerals & Energy Resources Engineering
Historical collection of lamps used in underground mines, collection of minerals, rocks and other artefacts
Minerals & Energy Resources Engineering