Aust Museum to get $7m facelift

The nation's oldest museum will undergo a multimillion-dollar transformation as gallery space at Sydney's Australian Museum is increased for the first time in decades.

The NSW state budget will include $7.2 million earmarked for the redevelopment, Arts Minister Troy Grant announced on Sunday.

The historic museum, which is one of the nation's most important scientific research and education institutions, will receive $4.7 million over two years to develop the master plan for the Yurong Street end of the current museum site, Mr Grant said.

The sandstone museum in Sydney's CBD will get another $2.5 million to move its main entrance to William Street, and to establish a new permanent exhibition space and a rooftop brasserie.

Museum director Kim McKay said the transformation could begin immediately.

"Our permanent gallery space will be added to for the first time in more than 30 years with the creation of 632 square metres of exhibition space on biodiversity, featuring more than 400 animals," Ms McKay said.

"This is our first step in a visionary long-term master plan for the entire Australian Museum site."