The measurement and assessment of the museum’s performance in the reporting period in achieving its purposes are set out below.

The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected several aspects of the museum’s performance in 2019–20. The museum was only open for eight days in the fourth quarter, temporarily closing on 24 March 2020 and reopening to the general public on 22 June 2020 with social distancing, hygiene and other public health measures. The adverse impact extended beyond our site. The circumnavigation of Australia by the museum’s Endeavour replica as part of the Encounters 2020 program did not proceed, and various other major events, such as the Classic & Wooden Boat Festival and VIVID, were cancelled or deferred. Several of our touring exhibitions were also affected by the temporary closure of partner institutions.