At the National Archives

Explore Australia's most valuable government records

Research your family history
Get help with your research

Explore

Discover the unexpected

East Block, Parkes, ACT
Canberra research centre on the move Our research centre in Canberra returns to East Block from Monday 25 November.
Aboriginal art and display
First Australians The National Archives holds many records relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their histories.
Indo-Chinese refugees arrive in Melbourne, 1979.
Citizenship records The National Archives holds a range of record relating to Australian citizenship, including naturalisation certificates and case files.
Stockman with whip droving cattle in the Northern Territory, 1954.
The Northern Territory's pastoral industry Over the past 150 years the stations of the Northern Territory have amassed a rich history. Learn more here.
Board riding at Surfer's Paradise, 1977.
Connect with us online Explore the National Archives' other websites to delve deeper into our extraordinary collection.
Black and white photograph of Lydia Janovska sitting in a chair.
Spy: Espionage in Australia – Coming soon Revealed for the first time at the National Archives: the curious history of espionage in Australia. Developed in partnership with ASIO.

Search the collection

Go to RecordSearch

Connect with

Contemporary conversations and trending topics

Our services

The National Archives of Australia strives for service excellence as we make the collection available to the public.

Visit the National Archives

What's on

  • Black and white photograph: Lydia Janovska sitting in a chair.

    Touring Exhibition

    Spy: Espionage in Australia

    Canberra

    29 Nov 2019 - 27 Apr 2020

    Revealed for the first time at the National Archives: the curious history of espionage in Australia. Developed in partnership with ASIO.

  • A photograph of a large antenna

    Exhibition

    Carnarvon, WA & the Space Race

    Perth

    17 Sep 2019 - 30 May 2020

    What role did a remote north-west town play in NASA’s space program in the 1960s and 1970s?

  • Photograph of a Vickers VIMY Rolls bi-plane.

    Exhibition

    Australian Air Races

    Darwin

    31 Oct 2019 - 31 Jan 2020

    Sharing the stories of aerial contests that captivated audiences across the country.

  • Photograph of a crèche at a large maternity hospital, 1954

    Touring Exhibition

    Without Consent

    Geelong

    08 Nov 2019 - 27 Jan 2020

    Moving experiences of heartbreak and resilience are shared by people affected by Australia's past adoption practices.

  • A modern housewife demonstrates the advantages of a Hills rotary clothes hoist, Photo by G D Internegative.

    Event

    Book Launch: In Living Memory

    Canberra

    05 Dec 2019

    Join author Alasdair McGregor and Australian Geographic editor Chrissie Goldrick in conversation about their new book In Living Memory, a celebration of Australian life in the middle decades of the 20th century.

  • Photograph of children at Scheyville Migrant Centre in 1957.

    Exhibition

    A Place to Call Home?

    Perth

    01 Feb 2020 - 05 Apr 2020

    Rekindle memories with vivid photographs of life in Australia's migrant hostels.

  • A photograph of a lifesaver watching the surf.

    Online Exhibition

    Watching the Waves

    Australia-wide

    A nostalgic look at our mid-century coastal lifestyle.

Plan your visit

Visit the National Archives near you

Help us make records more searchable!

Join the HIVE community and help make our national records easier to find for everyone.

Register