Western Australian Museum

What Western Australian Museum does

The Western Australian Museum is the state museum of Western Australia, a government-owned cultural institution founded in 1891 and headquartered in Perth. It operates seven public museum locations across the state — WA Museum Boola Bardip (Perth), WA Maritime Museum and WA Shipwrecks Museum (Fremantle), Museum of Geraldton, Museum of the Goldfields (Kalgoorlie), Museum of the Great Southern (Albany), and Gwoonwardu Mia (Carnarvon) — plus a Collections and Research Centre in Welshpool housing a genetic resources laboratory and conservation facilities. The institution preserves and presents more than 400,000 specimens and artefacts spanning natural sciences, maritime archaeology, Indigenous cultural materials, and Western Australian history, organised across nine research departments. Core operational funding comes from the Western Australian Government, supplemented by a fundraising arm (Foundation for the WA Museum) and diversified earned revenue from admission and exhibition fees, an annual membership subscription program, museum shop retail, venue hire at multiple sites, and education programs for schools. The museum serves general public visitors, the Western Australian education sector, the national and international research community, and government heritage bodies requiring maritime archaeology and shipwreck management services. The museum holds statutory responsibility for administration of the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 (WA) and has proposed amendments to the Act to reflect updated national legislation and international best practice.

Notable technical capabilities include deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) survey technology used to document shipwrecks at depths exceeding 2.5 km, including the 2008 discovery of HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran; advanced forensic geochronology techniques (detrital zircon U-Pb dating) used in collaboration with Curtin University and the Geological Survey of Germany to trace cargo from the 1629 Batavia shipwreck to European quarry sources; and an online collections portal providing public access to specimens, datasets, and research records. Distribution spans physical locations across Western Australia plus global digital reach through online collections, online exhibitions (HMAS Sydney (II), Batavia, Cave megafauna, Dirk Hartog), a museum member mobile app, the Gogo augmented reality app, virtual labs, podcasts, and a direct e-commerce storefront.

Name

Western Australian Museum

Legal name

Western Australian Museum

Website

https://museum.wa.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Western Australian Museum is the state museum of Western Australia, operating seven public museum locations and a research centre to preserve and present more than 400,000 natural history, maritime, and Indigenous cultural specimens for the public, schools, researchers, and government heritage bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Museum and Cultural Heritage Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Historical Sites (71212), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Indigenous & Community Cultural Institutions (THAJADAK), History Museums (THAJADAB)

Keywords

• Museum exhibitions
• Cultural heritage collections
• Maritime archaeology research
• Museum education programs
• Natural history collections

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Admission and Exhibition Fees: Revenue from paid admission to museum locations and special exhibitions, including ticketed events and programs
2. Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions offering unlimited access to all locations, discounted exhibition tickets, pre-sale access, and member-only events. Members receive a digital app for storing member cards and tickets.
3. Museum Shop Sales: Retail sales of merchandise including souvenirs, educational items, and books through the museum's online and physical storefronts
4. Government Funding: Core operational funding from the Western Australian Government, supplemented by support through the Foundation for the WA Museum for special projects and initiatives
5. Venue Hire: Rental of museum spaces and facilities for events, functions, and corporate activities at various museum locations
6. Education Programs: Revenue from professional learning programs, school excursion fees, and educational workshops

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Western Australian Museum is a state government cultural institution that preserves, researches, and exhibits Western Australia's natural and cultural heritage across seven public museum locations and digital channels. It delivers paid and free exhibitions, an annual membership program, school and professional education programs, research and specimen services, maritime archaeology and shipwreck management services, venue hire, and a museum shop, supported by over 400,000 specimens and artefacts spanning nine research disciplines.

Product overview

The Western Australian Museum is a state cultural institution operating seven museum locations across Western Australia: WA Museum Boola Bardip (Perth), WA Maritime Museum (Fremantle), WA Shipwrecks Museum (Fremantle), Museum of Geraldton, Museum of the Goldfields (Kalgoorlie), Museum of the Great Southern (Albany), and Gwoonwardu Mia (Carnarvon). The museum offers physical exhibitions, educational programs, research services, and digital access through online collections, mobile applications (including a member app and Gogo AR app), virtual labs, podcasts, and online exhibitions. Core research areas include Anthropology and Archaeology, Aquatic Zoology, Earth and Planetary Sciences, History, Maritime Heritage, Materials Conservation, Genetic Resources, and Terrestrial Zoology. Digital resources include shipwreck databases, Welcome Walls memorial project, National Anzac Centre, and the HMAS Sydney (II) online exhibition. The museum provides professional resources including the WA Museum Practice Handbook and Collections Care Manual for the museum sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WAnderland: Online exhibition exploring Western Australian stories and experiences
• Boola Bardip
• Welcome Walls

Products and services

• WA Museum Boola Bardip The main museum in the Perth Cultural Centre featuring scientific and cultural collections, special exhibitions, education programs, and venue hire facilities, for general public visitors, tourists, schools, and researchers.
• WA Maritime Museum Maritime museum in Fremantle presenting Western Australia's maritime heritage collections, exhibitions and programs for general public visitors, schools, and corporate event clients.
• WA Shipwrecks Museum Museum in Fremantle dedicated to maritime archaeology and shipwreck heritage of Western Australia, for general public visitors, researchers, and education sector clients.
• Museum of Geraldton Regional museum showcasing the maritime heritage, history and cultural significance of the Geraldton region and Batavia Coast, for general public visitors, schools, and tourists.
• Museum of the Goldfields Regional museum in Kalgoorlie showcasing the mining heritage and goldfields history of Western Australia, for general public visitors, schools, and tourists.
• Museum of the Great Southern Regional museum in Albany featuring exhibitions on southern Western Australian history, Indigenous culture, and natural heritage, including the National Anzac Centre, for general public visitors, schools, and tourists.
• Gwoonwardu Mia Cultural centre in Carnarvon dedicated to preserving and presenting Aboriginal culture and heritage of the Gascoyne region, for general public visitors, schools, Indigenous community members, and tourists.
• Online Collections Digital database providing public access to browse and search the museum's collections including artefacts, specimens, and archival materials, for researchers, general public, and educators.
• WA Museum Apps Mobile applications including the WA Museum member app for storing membership cards, tickets, exclusive content and offers, and the Gogo app featuring augmented reality experiences, for members and general public visitors.
• Virtual Labs Virtual laboratory experiences available at WA Museum Boola Bardip for interactive science education, for school groups, teachers, and general public visitors.
• Podcasts and Live Talks Audio and video content series featuring talks, interviews, and discussions about museum topics, research, and collections, for general public visitors and researchers.
• Field Guides Digital and printed guides to flora, fauna, and natural history developed by the museum, for educators, students, researchers, and general public.
• WA Museum Practice Handbook Online resource providing information and guidance on museum planning, operation, and management as part of the National Conservation Strategy, including a Collections Care Manual with video tutorials, for museum and gallery professionals.
• Welcome Walls Tribute project commemorating migrants who arrived by sea at Fremantle and Albany, with over 400 panels at WA Maritime Museum and panels at Museum of the Great Southern, for general public, descendant families, and community groups.
• National Anzac Centre Immersive museum experience at Albany Heritage Park commemorating Anzacs of the First World War, featuring interactive media, artefacts, photographs, film and audio following 32 Anzac-related characters, for general public visitors, schools, and veterans' families.
• HMAS Sydney (II) Online Exhibition Comprehensive online exhibition documenting the history, discovery, and investigation of HMAS Sydney (II), including the 2015 expedition, the battle with HSK Kormoran, and Cole Inquiry findings, for general public visitors, researchers, and veterans' families.
• Shipwreck Databases Online maritime archaeology databases providing access to shipwreck records and archaeological data, for researchers, maritime archaeologists, and government heritage bodies.
• Membership Program Annual membership program offering unlimited visits to all seven museum locations, discounted exhibition tickets, pre-sale access, and invitations to member-only events, with a dedicated mobile app for storing membership cards and tickets, for individuals and families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Batavia shipwreck research revealed 17th-century global supply chain operated by Dutch East India Company, tracing materials to multiple German quarries using forensic fingerprinting techniques
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Curtin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2026Research partnership with Curtin University researchers for analysis of shipwreck materials using advanced forensic fingerprinting techniques. Partnership involves detrital zircon U-Pb dating to trace origins of materials from historic shipwrecks including the 1629 Batavia shipwreck.
• Geological Survey of GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2026International research partnership for geochemical analysis of stone materials from shipwreck cargo, mapping historical trade networks and quarry sources across Europe.
• Yirra Yaakin Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2012Creative cultural partnership announced by the Minister for Culture and Arts on 23 November 2012. Partnership aims to recognize Aboriginal people as Australia's first people and to honour and celebrate their heritage, culture and creativity. First living Community Cultural Partnership in Australia.
• Australian War MemorialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Australian War Memorial for researching and developing content for the National Anzac Centre at Albany Heritage Park, covering both physical museum and online presence. Focuses on personal stories of 32 Anzac-related characters from the First World War.
• Flinders UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Nullarbor caves expeditions including the 2011 expedition for megafauna research. Partnership involves field paleontology research, fossil collection, and educational game development. WA Museum and Flinders University lead expeditions with original discovery team.
• Collections WAminorOthersPartnership with Collections WA network providing aggregated access to Western Australian museum and gallery collections across the state.
• Culture WAminorOthersCollaboration with Culture WA government portal for promoting Western Australian cultural institutions and collections.
• Foundation for the WA MuseumcoreOthersOfficial fundraising arm of the Western Australian Museum that mobilises and directs public support to increase the museum's cultural, scientific, educational, and social impact.
• Finding Sydney FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Finding Sydney Foundation for HMAS Sydney (II) discovery and documentation. Foundation led search efforts with museum providing maritime archaeology expertise and support, culminating in 2008 discovery of both HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran wrecks.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• National Archives of Australia: Federally-operated archive that complements rather than competes with the WA Museum, providing a comparator for how the museum's library, archival, and digital collection functions could be structured as a state-government service.

Direct peers

• Australian Museum: Australia's largest state museum, operating the iconic Sydney site plus research institutes in natural history and anthropology. Directly comparable to the WA Museum as a state-government cultural institution with multi-disciplinary research collections, education programs, and blockbuster exhibitions.
• Queensland Museum: State museum operating multiple sites including the Museum of Tropical Queensland and a major First Nations cultural centre. Comparable mandate covering natural sciences, Indigenous cultural heritage, and statewide collection stewardship.
• Australian National Maritime Museum: Federally-funded maritime specialty museum in Darling Harbour with collections on trade, naval history, and ocean exploration. Directly overlaps with WA Museum's Maritime Museum, Shipwrecks Museum, and HMAS Sydney research portfolio.
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: State-owned museum and art gallery operating maritime, colonial history, Aboriginal, and natural science collections. Comparable in scope and in serving a geographically dispersed population across regional Tasmania.
• Museums Victoria: Operates Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, and Immigration Museum with comparable scale, multi-site footprint, research collections, and state-government backing. Closest analog in terms of running a portfolio of distinct museum sites under one umbrella.
• South Australian Museum: Adelaide-based state museum housing Aboriginal cultural, natural science, and historical collections with active research departments. Comparable as a mid-sized state peer with strong anthropological and marine science research depth.

Broad incumbents

• Australian War Memorial: National memorial and museum institution responsible for content at the WA Museum's National Anzac Centre in Albany. Comparable in curating military and national heritage content, including travelling exhibitions and online resources.
• National Museum of Australia: National-scale cultural institution covering Australian social history, Indigenous heritage, and significant objects, comparable in curatorial mission but operating federally rather than at state level.
• Powerhouse Museum (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences): Sydney-based applied arts, design, and science museum with multiple sites including Ultimo and Castle Hill. Comparable as a state-scale cultural institution using digital engagement and venue hire to diversify revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wamuseum
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/WesternAustralianMuseum
• Facebookfacebook.com/wamuseum
• LinkedInau.linkedin.com/company/western-australian-museum
• Instagraminstagram.com/wamuseum

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Western Australian Museum