The Trendall Research Centre has the following objectives:

• To maintain and extend both the library and the archive through the acquisition of books and periodicals relating to the general area of Greek and Roman culture, and of photographs of South Italian red-figure vases.
• To make available, at the Director's discretion, the resources of the Centre to all scholars and graduate students, whether from Australia or overseas, who wish to use the library and archive.
• To promote research in the general area of Ancient Mediterranean studies, particularly in the archaeology of South Italy and Sicily during the Classical period.
• To disseminate within the general community in Australia the results of the latest research in Greek and Roman art and archaeology through the sponsorship of conferences, lectures and seminars.