Members FAQ

Through the support of the NSW Government, we can welcome more people to experience our museums and houses. At this stage, the new pricing will be from 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2023.

Members receive exclusive benefits year-round

• Exclusive Member experiences including curator up close access, behind the scenes tours and more
• Unlimited free entry to Hyde Park Barracks and Susannah Place
• 20% discount on events* including school holiday programs
• Member-only previews
• Pre-sale and priority access to tickets, including Sydney Open
• Regular eNews with exclusive giveaways and offers
• 10% discount at all our cafes and restaurants
• 10% discount at all our retail shops and online
• Partnership Benefits

Plus much more special offers and benefits announced throughout the year.

^{* excludes Sydney Open Focus Tours.}

Member + One is the perfect choice for families or those looking to share their museum experience with others. You can bring your favourite person every time, or a different person with each visit.
You’ll be issued with one member card that allows entry for the card-holder (the member) and one additional adult.

With a Member + One card you can take a loved-one to Hyde Park Barracks one day or explore Susannah Place Museum with a friend the next.. You choose your +One!

Membership begins on the date of purchase and is valid for 12 months. If you are renewing, your membership will carry on from the day your current membership ends or when when you renew, if you renew after your expiry date.

Every Member will be able to choose to receive a membership pack shortly containing a membership card. All Members can digitally access their membership card and details, which can be used as their membership confirmation.

You will receive a welcome email within 24 hours of your membership purchase containing your membership details and member benefits.

For renewing memberships, your renewal take effect when the existing membership expire.

For Gift Memberships, it will take effect when they are activated.

Member includes one adult and up to four children.

Member + One includes two adults and up to four children.

Children must be accompanied by the Members. Your membership type is identified on your membership card, receipt and Member emails.

Auto Renewal is a secure, simple and time-saving way to renew your membership annually using your credit card. Simply choose your preferred membership level with Auto Renewal, and when your membership is ready for renewal you’ll be notified via email about your upcoming payment, which will be processed automatically.
If you wish to cancel your automatic renewal payment or change your membership level, please contact the Membership Office at least 10 days in advance of the payment due date.

Members enjoy discounted tickets to MHNSW events and free entry to Hyde Park Barracks and Susannah Place. Events are notified online and in regular member eNews. Bookings can be made online.

When booking tickets online you will need to Login. If you have a membership your discount will be applied after you have logged in. If you have not previously created an online password, or have forgotten your password, please use the Forgotten Password function (located under the Password field). Do not register a new account as this will not be linked to your membership account.

To log in Login, you’ll need to enter your email and password. If you have not previously created an online password, or have forgotten your password, please use the Forgotten Password function. Do not register a new account as this will not be linked to your membership.

Under Account Information you will be able to update your contact details including postal address, phone and email.

If you have any difficulty logging in, it could be that your membership is registered under a different email. Please contact the Membership or Bookings Office for assistance.

For special and popular events, members receive access to tickets before they go on sale to the public. Members will be notified of upcoming events via email. Members wishing to purchase tickets in the pre-release period can do so via the MHNSW website.

Yes. You can upgrade to a membership on the day of your visit to any of our museums, the entry fee will be deducted from the membership price. See our museum staff for assistance.

Members enjoy a 10% discount in our cafes and restaurants and our retail shops. The discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

The cafes and restaurants discount is available for groups of 6 people or fewer, includes at least one member. The discount will be applied to the total bill and will not apply to split transactions.

When shopping via the MHNSW Online Shop use the membership discount code that was provided in your welcome email (and letter). It is also listed in your Members eNews. The MHNSW Online Shop uses a separate system to our membership and ticketing system, so you may need to create a new account when purchasing items online.

When shopping in person, simply show proof of membership.

In the event, of lost cards Members can use any of their Member eNews or eMails as their membership confirmation.

If you lose your membership card and would like a replacement, please contact the Membership Office to arrange a replacement card. Email the Members Team here. Replacement cards may incur a cost.

When your membership is due for renewal you will be notified via email with instructions on how to renew online. You can also renew in person at any MHNSW museum or over the phone on +61 2 8072 4515.

MHNSW Memberships are non-refundable.

No.

If you would like the flexibility of sharing the museum experience with others, the Member + One option will be perfect for you.

Yes. A Gift Membership makes a unique gift that provides year-round benefits.

When you purchase a Gift Membership online you will be asked to provide the recipient’s name and, if desired, a personal message. The Gift Membership confirmation will be emailed only to you (the purchaser), but is designed for you to forward to the gift recipient as an email; it can also be printed out if you prefer. The email will contain information on how the recipient can redeem their membership online or over the phone.

The membership will not commence until it is redeemed by the recipient. This allows you to purchase a Gift Membership today but only send it to them on the day when you want to surprise them.

Please note that you will also receive an emailed receipt. This is not the Gift Membership and should not be forwarded to the gift recipient.

The person who gifted you a membership will provide you with a gift membership email that identifies the level of your membership (Member or Member + One), and a redemption code. We have not collected any of your information at this point, so you will need to provide this to us during the redemption process below.

Redeeming a gift membership is just like buying a membership, but you’ll use your redemption code to ‘pay’ for the membership.

To begin, visit the membership purchase page here.

Select the membership level you’ve been gifted and progress as though you are going to purchase the membership. This will either be Member or Member + One. Do not select the auto renewal membership level. Select proceed and check out.

You’ll now be asked to register your details. This is where you will enter your contact details to enable us to post your membership card to you. Once you have completed this step, you will be returned to your shopping cart. Enter your redemption code in the Gift Membership Redemption box and Redeem, and Process Order to finalise.

Complimentary Member Guest Passes are no longer provided to each member. The Member + One membership level will suit those wanting to bring a guest and share their museum experience.

Funds raised from MHNSW Membership go towards supporting the important work of MHNSW in preserving 12 of the state’s most significant heritage properties. This includes the physical restoration and preservation of the sites, the maintenance and acquisition of our collections, and the public-programs and activities that make the sites accessible.

Yes. You can donate online at mhnsw.au/donate or in person at any of our museums. Your donation will help us to preserve and conserve our 12 historic sites, ensuring our significant history will be shared for generations to come. If you would like to discuss making a donation please contact donate@mhsnw.au

Together, we’re making the future of history more accessible, and exciting, than ever. We will have more opportunity for sharing the stories and histories of the state, and for production of content such as exhibitions, education, and events, which will build MHNSW a prominent place in the State’s cultural programming.

As one of Australia’s pre-eminent archives and records authorities, SARA’s vast collection of government records and archives pre-dates European settlement in 1788. And as the custodian of 12 of the most important NSW historic houses, gardens and their collections; SLM opens the doors to the past in engaging, creative ways – virtually and in person.

By unifying our vast expertise, knowledge, assets and collections, we’re creating a new cultural institution – the one entry point for everyone to engage with. Providing our audiences with greater access to a broader range of stories about our social, historical, and cultural identity.

Alongside the creation of MHNSW, the current State Archives and Records Authority of NSW will be changed with the creation of a dedicated public office, State Records NSW (SRNSW). This entity will be separate to Museums of History NSW and will focus on record keeping standards, regulation, advice, education and policy.

As with all brand-naming exploration, a set of criteria was put in place for the new institution. Our new name needed to:

be unique
position us within the cultural institution
highlight our core mandate of history
communicate the state-wide focus of institution
be clearly understood by a diverse range of audiences
position the new entity alongside other NSW cultural institutions
allow enough flexibility to embrace everything that we do.

From here, a range of names were put forward as part of some preliminary brand positioning undertaken with Sydney-based agency, The Royals following consultation with staff and key external stakeholders.

While a number of names were proposed, ultimately, Museums of History NSW was selected as the preferred name. It most closely fits the naming criteria, and has been endorsed by the Hon Ben Franklin, Minister for the Arts. It also highlights our role in promoting the state’s history, with the ‘flex’ to make it discoverable, compelling, and relevant for our diverse audiences.

Yes, you can. We will be phasing out the current physical SLM branded Membership card and replacing this with a MHNSW digital card you can show from your mobile device on entry. Alternatively, your Membership details are included in your monthly Member eNews and emails and can be shown at our museums and historic houses for our friendly museum staff to look you up in our systems. Physical Membership cards can be requested, either while purchasing a Membership or via contacting our Membership Team.

Yes! We’re working on new benefits and member-only experiences including behind the scenes access to the latest developments of MHNSW and great access to the NSW State Archives Collection.