Documenting what you do by creating records is a basic requirement for all business. However, the detail of this documentation and the level of management around it should be determined by the risks related to the work.  The higher the risk the more completely the work needs to be documented and the more rigorous the records management regime should be.

The records management requirements listed in this document are a basic minimum that should be applied to all Commonwealth records. This list complements the requirements outlined in the Archives’ self-assessment tool, Check-up. In Check-up you will find a larger set of requirements which can be applied to your agency's high risk records, as well as additional requirements which would lift your level of records management above a minimum standard. These extra requirements are not included in these pages.

The following requirements are divided into those that relate to the strategic management of information and records, and those related to the practical elements of records management.

See also Where to go for help / Other places for Australian Government information for directions to requirements and advice issued by other Commonwealth entities.