The National Centre of Biography was established at the Australian National University in June 2008, in line with the recommendations of the Gregory Review of the Australian Dictionary of Biography.  

The aim of the Centre is to: 

• act as a focus for the study of biography in Australia, maintaining that study in line with the highest and most innovative biographical work internationally.
   
• develop expertise in the study of, and co-ordinate the activities of biographers working on, individuals important in Australian history.
   
• produce the Australian Dictionary of Biography as a continuing resource and add thematic essays and other resources.
   
• co-ordinate the activities of biographers throughout the College of Arts and Social Sciences and the ANU. 
   
• conduct public lectures, seminars, symposia, and other forms of academic and scholarly exchange in the field of biography.
   
• attract outstanding scholars nationally and internationally to the Centre as NCB Visitors and other short-term appointments.
   
• train the next generation of biographers through MA and PhD programs.