Publications

Corporate publications

Our corporate publications give detailed information about us.

Strategy 2030: a transformed and trusted National Archives 

Strategy 2030 sets out the vision for a transformed and trusted National Archives: a world-leading archive empowered and resourced to ensure that authentic government information is created, secured, preserved and accessible to government and the community.

Annual Reports

Our Annual Reports set out our activities and performance for the relevant financial year.

Corporate Plan

Our latest Corporate Plan outlines our priorities, operations, governance and policy framework over the next 4 years.

Our way: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols

The Our way: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols aim to build a culturally competent organisation that will facilitate trust between the National Archives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations.  

Reconciliation Action Plan

We hold important records documenting the individual and collective histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their contribution to the history of this nation.

Building relationships with Indigenous Australians and their communities is vital to the management of these records. It is important we show respect to Indigenous culture, land and history to provide culturally appropriate services to Indigenous Australians.

The National Archives’ Reconciliation Action Plan aims to broaden and strengthen our capacity to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and with all Australians.

Other corporate publications

You can find more corporate publications, including governance and strategic plans and policies in Accountability and Reporting.

Information management publications

We support data and information managers in Australian Government agencies.

GAIN Australia

Government Agencies Information Network or GAIN Australia is a national network supporting agency data and information managers in the Australian Government.

Register with GAIN to receive monthly GAIN Australia e-bulletins keeping you up to date with information and records management news and initiatives.

Tools and resources

Visit information management for quick and easy access to key resources to help you manage your agency information.

You'll find:

  • information and records management policies and standards
  • guidance on information governance
  • e-learning resources

General publications

The National Archives holds a wealth of information to help you research your family history or better understand archival practice.

You can browse books and other publications available in our online shop.

Here's a taste of what we have available.

Books on archival practice

Keep it for the future!
This book will help aspiring archivists to set up small community archives. It offers advice on deciding which records to keep, and how to organise, store, preserve, promote and provide access.

Books on history

The Whitlam Years

In 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 the National Archives released Cabinet documents from the Whitlam governments. This book consolidates essays written by historians Ian Hancock and Kellie Abbott for the exclusive, embargoed media briefings at that time.

War Child

A true story that spans 100 years. It's a tale of Nazi Germany, the lingering effects of war, the 1950s Australian migration experience and a modern-day search.

NAA Magazine

The NAA Magazine is the National Archives’ leading annual publication. It features unique stories from our collection of irreplaceable treasures.

Want to know more about what was in Harold Holt's briefcase, including the aspirin that was tested for stronger drugs? Or perhaps you are interested in the rare and unusual gifts that have been bestowed on Australian prime ministers in their travels? You can read all about these and more in the NAA Magazine.

Grab a cuppa and a comfy chair and lose yourself in the real life tales and beautiful imagery of individual Australians captured in letters, official files and artefacts. And if you want to delve deeper, the magazine contains links to further resources.

This free publication is available at all of our research centres.

Research guides

The National Archives has two series of guides to help you search our collection. The six guides in the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers series provide short biographies and extensive archival listings on 11 former prime ministers.

Other research guides cover a broad range of topics. These include guides on immigration, foreign relations, military history and various other topics.

Some guides are available in hardcopy in our online shop, and all of them can be downloaded for free from our website.