What it does
The National Library of Australia’s Pictures collection includes photographs and other pictorial material. Its guide explains picture-only catalogue searches, digital previews, high-resolution orders and publication requests.
Set the catalogue’s format filter to Picture. For a digitised result, open the image or View online, select the Download icon, choose an available format or page range, then Start download. The Pictures guide describes these direct copies as low resolution, at 72 dpi.
For a higher-resolution file, use the record’s Order a copy route to Copies Direct. A standard high-quality TIFF or JPEG from the Pictures collection costs AUD 52 per image, GST-free. The Library lists 30 business days for routine picture orders, subject to rights and access checks. The order asks how you will use the image; the Library checks rights before supplying the file and emails when the download is ready.
Publication is a separate decision from obtaining a copy. Submit an Intention to Publish for use beyond research or study. The Fairfax glass-plate archive has a particular arrangement: the Library’s access is for non-commercial use, while publication or commercial licensing goes through Fairfax Syndication.
Strengths
- The catalogue guide gives the exact steps for downloading a low-resolution copy.
- Copies Direct offers TIFF or JPEG files with a published picture-copy rate.
Watch out for
- The Library lists 30 business days for routine picture copies; rights and access checks can affect delivery.
- A supplied file may still need publication permission or separate rights clearance.
Best for
- Editors researching Australian photographs and pictorial history
Sources
- Using the Pictures collection: National Library of Australia (Oct 27, 2026)
- Copies Direct: National Library of Australia (Oct 27, 2026)
- Rights and the Pictures Collection (Oct 27, 2026)