The National Archives collection mainly documents Australian Government activities since Federation in 1901.
Our collection consists of more than 50 million items covering a vast range of subject areas, reflecting the diversity of government activities including immigration, defence, Indigenous people, security and intelligence, and transport. We also hold some 19th-century records dealing with activities that were transferred from the colonies to the Commonwealth in 1901 or later. They include records on customs, patents, defence, lighthouses, shipping, and postal and telegraphic services.
Most records held by the Archives were created by the Australian Government and its agencies. We also hold the papers of many individuals who were prominent and closely connected with the government, such as governors-general, prime ministers, ministers and senior public servants.
Most of our records are files of documents, but our collection includes posters, plans, films, sound recordings, videotapes and electronic records and many photographs.
Under the Archives Act 1983, most Commonwealth records are available for public access once they are more than 30 years old. Before we make records available for public access we examine them to identify sensitive information that is not suitable for public release. You will not be able to see information that is still sensitive. See Fact Sheet 10 – Access to records under the Archives Act.
Most records will be made available to you in their original form, unless they are fragile, in which case a copy can usually be provided.
To view original records, visit the reading room of the office where the records are located. In order to ensure the safety and preservation of the collection, records are not transported between reading rooms.
Our reading rooms are located in each capital city, where reference staff can help you use our research aids to find the records you seek. Our reading rooms are open from 9.00am to at least 4.30pm weekdays, with extended hours in some offices. Opening hours, addresses and contact details are listed in Fact Sheet 1 – Addresses and hours of opening.
In our reading rooms, you can use our computers to access our website, online databases, guides and fact sheets and to view digital images of some records to help you in your research. You will also find indexes and lists that will help you identify records not listed on our databases.
You can order copies of the records you view in a variety of formats, including photocopies, photographic prints, digital images, and audio and video recordings. See Fact Sheet 51 – Copying charges.
If you can’t visit a reading room, you can still make an inquiry or order copies of records through our National Reference Service by telephone, mail, email, fax or online.
National Reference Service
| Tel: 1300 886 881
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We suggest you look at our website before making an inquiry. There you can:
There is no charge to view original records or to use research aids or computers in our reading rooms. We do charge for copies of records from our collection.
We will help you to identify the records from our collection that will answer your inquiries whether you visit in person or contact our National Reference Service. If your inquiry is complex or requires extensive research, we can identify records of likely relevance which you will need to research in detail. We are unable to undertake extensive research for you.
We will respond to your inquiry free of charge, whether you visit us in person or contact the National Reference Service by telephone, mail, email, fax or online.
If you visit one of our reading rooms our reference staff will explain our services, introduce you to archival searching, help you use our databases and other research aids, and explain how to view original records or order copies.
If you have impaired sight or hearing or some other physical disability, or have special language needs, please let us know in advance of your visit.
Comments or other feedback can be sent to archives@naa.gov.au
updated January 2008