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A push to build Australia’s first national spy museum is gaining traction, with former intelligence chief Rachel Noble joining the project’s founding board.
Noble, a former director-general of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) as well as a former head of ASD’s Australian Cyber Security Centre, is supporting the proposed National Spy Museum Australia, to be based in Canberra, which aims to reveal the country’s largely hidden intelligence history through curated artefacts, declassified material and interactive exhibits.
The campaign has launched with a $150,000 seed funding goal and has already raised $8,000 in its first week through word of mouth alone. Organisers said the early response reflects strong public interest in the intelligence community’s role in national security.
Noble said the museum would recognise the service of intelligence personnel and help Australians better understand how agencies operate to protect the nation. The project will work with government bodies to ensure any displayed material is appropriately declassified.
Modelled on institutions like the International Spy Museum and the German Spy Museum, the NSMA aims to become a major cultural attraction. Plans include immersive exhibitions, education programs for up to 30,000 students annually, and a national forum for collaboration across government, academia and industry.
The museum is targeting $30 million in total funding over five years and is expected to open in December 2027, with projected annual attendance of 200,000 visitors.
The founding board also includes former senior officials such as David Fricker and Chris Angus.
Organisers are encouraging public and corporate contributions, offering permanent recognition to early donors. They argue the museum will preserve a significant but largely unseen part of Australia’s history while inspiring future generations to engage with intelligence and national security.
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