Works have been collected since 1974 and exhibited in the William Wilkins Gallery in the Bridge Street Office of the Department of Education. They are also highly sought after to enhance the working environments of many government departments.

The Department of Education purchases approximately 10 new bodies of work from students exhibiting in ARTEXPRESS (the annual exhibition of Higher School Certificate Visual Arts bodies of work).

The Arts Unit coordinates the purchase of works for the Wilkins Collection. Works by significant young Australian artists such as Jasper Knight and Benitta Bob are included in the collection.