The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia last week published a tender for proposals to complete sandstone, waterproofing and conservation works at its Acton headquarters.

In February, Fairfax Media reported a desire to re-locate the institution to attract more visitors.

However, NFSA chief executive Jan Müller said plans to construct a purpose-built building in Canberra were in progress, but it was a long-term vision, and the tender would ensure the protection of the current home.

“In the meantime, we will continue to protect this important Canberra heritage site,” he said.

"Since its creation in 1984, the NFSA has been the custodian of a beautiful 1930 art deco building and we follow the highest standards in order to preserve this heritage site."

Offices inside the heritage-listed building had been plagued by leaks due a faulty waterproof membrane on the roof, tender documents reveal.

Concerns about water penetration and subsequent damage in the courtyard cloisters were also mentioned in the tender.

The Stripped Classical building was constructed in 1931 to house the Australian Institute of Anatomy and Canberra's first morgue.

The building's facade is grey-white sandstone from the Hawkesbury River District, and has a number of nationalistic decorative details, including carvings of goannas, frill-necked lizards, Aboriginal art, and frieze panels.

The archive has called the building home since 1984.

Tender documents said the works would "maintain and conserve the sandstone facade elements and the buildings heritage, replace the roof waterproofing membrane and eliminate the ongoing water penetration issues affecting the office area below, and restore the courtyard cloisters roof membrane to prevent water penetration and gradual degradation".

"The works are separated into five parts: 1. Sandstone facade works; 2. Main roof waterproofing; 3. Cloister waterproofing 4. Rendered wall repairs; and 5. HVAC works."

A list of work to be completed on the stonework included resetting and replacement of stone blocks, repointing of joints, the replacement of two cracked glass panels, repainting courtyard windows, cleaning and hydrophobic coating of 1800 square metres of sandstone.

Tenders close on July 5.

While the future of the building now appears to have been secured, the National Film and Sound Archive itself could soon be on the move.

In January, the archive's incoming chief executive Jan Müller announced plans to move the institution as part of his "First 90 days" presentation to staff.

The archive has had to battle funding and staff cuts, with exhibition and film screening programs axed and the courtyard cafe closed in the past four years.

Mr Müller said the institution needed to improve its public profile, as visitor engagement and numbers dwindled.

A new location and purpose built building would make the archive relevant and achieve its purpose as the country's repository of audio-visual heritage, he said.

Mr Müller said a move to a vacant site on the Acton peninsula - near the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Studies - would put the archive in a precinct frequented by visitors.

He said such a building could be at least partly funded by selling the current premises, owned by the archive.

“One of the priorities in the NFSA's Strategic Vision for a Digital Archive is to redefine our physical presence," Mr Müller said.

“Pursuing the construction of a new facility is part of the plan, but this is a major project that will take time and resources.

“In the meantime the NFSA will continue its ongoing work in Acton, including the development of our public spaces and programs, and maintenance of the building."