Background
The AM has been inspiring exploration of nature and culture for more than 198 years. Since we were founded in 1827, the AM has continually evolved and adapted to the world in which we live.
The AM’s mission is to be the leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth, and culture in Australia and the Pacific, and our vision is to ignite wonder, inspire debate, and drive change.
We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation, to prioritise First Nations cultures, and to continue to develop world leading science, collections, exhibitions, and education programs.
The Australian Museum (AM) is Australia's first museum, located at 1 William Street, Sydney NSW 2010. As the Museum approaches its bicentenary in 2027, its Events & Programming and Corporate Hire divisions together deliver a rich and varied calendar of activations — spanning large-scale public programming, cultural celebrations, education events, weddings, conferences, corporate dinners, and private functions.
The Museum seeks to engage a suitably qualified and experienced Audio Visual (AV) services provider — supplying both equipment and skilled crew — to support delivery across this full range of event types and venue spaces.
The AM is a dynamic, multi-use environment and no two events are the same. While this document outlines the core scope and typical requirements, respondents should be prepared to work flexibly and creatively with the Museum's internal teams to meet bespoke and evolving needs that may not be fully captured here. The ability to adapt, problem-solve, and bring solutions to the table is as important as any specific technical capability listed in this document.
Introduction
The Australian Museum (AM) invites you to provide a tender for Audio Visual Services (Services) for a term of up to three years, which may be extended for up to 2 years by way of 2 x 1 year options which may each be exercised separately at the sole discretion of the Australian Museum Trust under the Terms and Conditions of the AM Independent Contractor Agreement.
AM proposes to enter into a contract with a Supplier for a term of up to three years, which may be extended for up to 2 years by way of 2 x 1 year options which may each be exercised separately at the sole discretion of the Australian Museum Trust.
AM may establish a panel of suppliers for the Goods/Services.
In the event a panel is established, it is envisaged that the panel will be in place for a term of up to three years, which may be extended for up to 2 years by way of 2 x 1 year options which may each be exercised separately at the sole discretion of the Australian Museum Trust.
The Scope of Services includes:
Scope of Services
Core AV & Production Services
The provider shall supply equipment, crew, and end-to-end production support across the full event lifecycle, including:
Production management – Overall technical production oversight and coordination for complex events
Pre-production planning – Technical recces, rider preparation, briefing with the AM representative, and advance logistics coordination
Bump-in & bump-out – Efficient, professional setup and pack-down within the Museum's operational constraints
Ad hoc spaces – Various other gallery, circulation, and outdoor spaces around the building as required by specific activations
The Museum regularly activates multiple spaces concurrently, particularly on busy event weekends, and the provider must demonstrate the crew depth and logistics capability to staff these events simultaneously without any compromise to quality or service.
Event Typologies
The provider must demonstrate capacity and experience across the full breadth of the Museum's event calendar. This encompasses two broad streams:
Public Programming & Community Events
| Event | Notes |
| Jurassic Lounge | Large-scale public activation; multi-activity; Hintze Hall overhead rig |
| Nights at the Museum | Recurring programmed activation; potential for semi-permanent infrastructure |
| Dinosaur Festival | Multi-activity public programming |
| Sydney Science Trail Community Day | Large community event; multi-activity |
| Climate Solutions Saturday | Public programming |
| Talbot Oration | Prestige lecture / keynote event |
| Ngalu Warrawi Marri | Cultural community event |
| Wansolmoana Community Night | Cultural community event |
| Environmental Film Festival | Film screening and associated programming |
Corporate & Private Hire Events
| Event Type | Typical Scale | Notes |
| Weddings (ceremony & reception) | 50–300 guests | Ceremony audio, celebrant mic, atmospheric lighting, music playback |
| Corporate dinners & gala events | 100–800 guests | Full production; often in Hintze Hall, Minerals Gallery, or WLG |
| Conferences & seminars | 50–400 delegates | Multi-screen, hybrid capability, breakout rooms |
| Cocktail receptions & private hire | 50–500 guests | Variable AV requirements |
| Product launches & brand activations | 100–400 guests | Often require bespoke creative AV solutions |
| Award ceremonies | 100–600 guests | Staging, vision switching, entertainment integration |
The scale and specific technical requirements of each event will be confirmed at briefing stage. Respondents should note that the above tables are indicative, not exhaustive. The Museum's programming and events calendar is dynamic and will regularly include activations with bespoke or unusual requirements beyond what is listed here.
Tenderer Briefing
A tenderer briefing will be held on the date, time, and place, indicated below. The contact officer/s of AM Museum – will be available at that time to answer any queries regarding this RFT and the tender process generally. Names of persons attending the tenderer briefing must be provided to Tenderbox tenderbox@australian.museum at least 3 working days prior to the date. No more than 2 persons from each tenderer will be permitted to attend the tenderer briefing. Persons attending the tender briefing may be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement before commencement of the briefing.
Location: Australian Museum, 1 Wiliam Street Sydney (enter corner of College Street and congregate at main entrance to the Museum)
Date: 01/06/2026
Time: 11am – 1pm