On 3 May 1999 the Council of the University of Melbourne declared the formation of the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre (Austehc). It is associated with the Department of History and Philosophy of Science in the Faculty of Arts. ASAP's popular online information resources, notably Bright Sparcs, form the key focus of the Centre's activities.

ASAP's 14 years experience at the local, national and international levels provided a solid foundation for the Centre's success. The important network of associations with academic, government and private organisations, and individuals was maintained and developed to further enhance the Centre's crucial role. Austehc goals included: establishing the infrastructure, through research, development and implementation, to undertake collaborative projects and activities relating to the history and heritage of science, technology and medicine, within the University of Melbourne and with external organisations and individuals; Creating and providing access to authoritative information resources dealing with the history and heritage of science, technology and medicine, primarily with an Australian focus, to support academic scholarship, secondary and primary education, and general community awareness; Advancing the pursuit of knowledge in the history, archival, museum, heritage studies and information management disciplines through teaching, research and development.