Collection and heritage

We are a living museum of Australian political and social history.

Our collection captures the ideas, movements, people and events of Australian democracy. Our heritage collection includes the Old Parliament House building itself, as well as objects used here when it was the home of Australia's government. We care for all the objects in the collection and share their stories with our visitors and the nation.

Our collection

From the building itself to the furniture, oral histories and political ephemera, every part of our collection tells a story about the ideas, movements, individuals and events of Australian democracy.

We collect objects that help us understand and learn about democracy. We focus on objects relating to:

democracy and government
prime ministers
political movements, and
Old Parliament House.

A selection of rail tickets with hand written cursive text and a blue leather wallet.

A close up of a rainbow flag covered in signatures.

A black bean wooden desk with a glass cover in a room with an Australian flag, leather chair and grey curtins.

Collection Development Plan

2021-26

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Donate to our collection

We welcome new objects and stories for our collection. If you have something you think belongs at MoAD, we'd love to hear from you.

Donate to collection

Heritage

Old Parliament House is valued as part of Australia's architectural history and for its place in the history of Australian democracy. The building and the objects housed inside tell the stories of the Australian parliament and the nation it shaped between 1927 and 1988.

A view from across a lake looking over to Old Parliament House, a long white building with a flag on top of it. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is in front of this.

Old Parliament House is a listed heritage site, recognised and protected on the National Heritage List, the Commonwealth Heritage List, and the Australian Institute of Architects' Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture.

A close up of a white ceiling with ornate detailing, art-deco style pendant lighting and a timber gallery for the press to look down onto the floor of the House of Representatives.

Close up of a red velvet curtin falling to a red carpeted floor with a timber furniture panel next to it.

Looking in to the House of Representatives chamber from the Kings Hall entry.

Heritage management plan

Heritage Management Plan

2021-26

How we conserve Old Parliament House and its heritage collection.

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------------------------- Anchor id : Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan - Invitation for Public Comment-------------------------

Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan – Invitation for Public Comment

In accordance with the heritage provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) has commenced its 5-yearly review of the Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2021-26 (OPH HMP).

MoAD is seeking comments on the current OPH HMP from members of the public, First Nations people with rights and interests in the place, any ACT Government agency responsible for the site, organisations or other groups with interests in the place.

MoAD is seeking comments on:

whether the plan is consistent with the National and Commonwealth Heritage management principles; and
the effectiveness of the plan in protecting and conserving the National and Commonwealth Heritage values of the place.

Comments received will assist us in the review of the OPH HMP.

How to participate:

The consultation period is open from Monday 20 April to Friday 15 May 2026. During this period, you can view a copy of the OPH HMP above this notice. Alternatively, you can request to view a hard copy draft by corresponding with the contact officer below.

Comments should be submitted via post or e-mail by Friday 15 May 2026 to:

Manager, Strategic Policy Development
MoAD
PO Box 3934
Manuka ACT 2603

Ph: (02) 6270 8255
E-mail: facilities@moadoph.gov.au