Transparency and media
Archives Act 1983
06 June 1984
This law safeguards Government records and makes them accessible to Australians.
The National Archives of Australia stores, preserves and makes available millions of documents, photographs, films, artworks, sound recordings, maps and digital files created by and in the possession of the Australian Government and government departments. The National Archives plays an important role in recording the history of Australia and the Australian political process, helping to ensure the accountability of government.
Although the first Archives Officer was appointed in 1944 in response to the huge increase in government activity during World War II, it was not until 1961 that the Archives Division – now the National Archives of Australia – became an independent organisation. The Archives Act 1983 created the legal structure for government record-keeping and for public access to these documents.
In 1966 Cabinet introduced a rule that made records accessible after 50 years. The rule has since changed and Australians can now view most records, including Cabinet records, after 20 years. Census records are accessible after 99 years.
Investigating the value of Commonwealth records: a self-help appraisal handbook for Commonwealth agencies
National Library of Australia, Np354.9400714 I62. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia
Investigating the value of Commonwealth records: a self-help appraisal handbook for Commonwealth agencies
National Library of Australia, Np354.9400714 I62. Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia
Description
This handbook was produced by the Australian Archives in 1987. The Australian Archives is now known as the National Archives of Australia. The National Archives of Australia collects, preserves and makes Australian Government records available to the public.