It is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia. Located adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the eastern fringe of the Sydney central business district, the Conservatorium is a faculty of the University of Sydney and incorporates the community-based Conservatorium Open Academy and the Conservatorium High School. In addition to its secondary, undergraduate, post-graduate, and community education teaching and learning functions, the Conservatorium undertakes research in various fields of music. The building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 14 January 2011.