Australia in focus: photographs in the National Archives
This guide is an essential reference for anyone wanting to access and use our rich photographic collection.
Immigration and citizenship
The National Archives’ collection includes thousands of records documenting Australia’s rich migrant history.
Halloween at the Archives
Join us on a spine-tingling journey as we unearth eerie tales from Western Australia’s history, hidden in the national archival collection.
Annie Maas O'Keefe
Annie Maas O'Keefe's successful fight against deportation in 1949 was a significant event in the dismantling of the White Australia Policy.
Activism
Activism is an important part of the democratic process. Individuals and communities have the power to shape government policy and society by campaigning for change.
British and European servicemen and children encouraged as postwar migrants
Newspaper article: Federal Government policy to promote the migration of British Servicemen and selected children from the United Kingdom and Europe.
Volunteer
Become a volunteer to help us preserve our collection, improve access for others, enhance our records online and promote the National Archives.
Search for people
Find documents and records detailing the interactions between people and the Australian Government by searching our collection.
The war's last drama: Japan's surrender in the Second World War
2020 marked the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender, ending the Second World War. Australia's perspective on these events is captured in our collection.
The role of the Prime Minister in shaping Australia
Since Federation, prime ministers have played a critical role in the debate, development and implementation of government policies that have shaped Australia.
History
Explore the experiences of First Australians since 1901, from discriminatory policies and inequality to campaigns for reconciliation, constitutional recognition and land rights.
Lentil soup – or bloater paste?
Many records in the National Archives’ collection show how Australian society has changed over the years – including a cookbook published in Adelaide in 1936.
Commonwealth Government records about South Australia
This guide describes the main records in the National Archives collection that relate to South Australian issues, people and events.
Health and welfare
Explore the development of Australia’s approach to health and social welfare since settlement, and the changes in attitudes and government policy that occurred during challenging times.
Research guides
The National Archives has 2 series of guides to help you find relevant records in our collection. We also have several books on finding records.
Research centres
We have a research centre in each capital city where you can access documents, maps and audio-visual material from our collection.
Records Authority 2007/00105946
Agency Records Authority 2007/00105946 Statistical collections abridged version. Complete Records authority available for download.
Sinking of the HMAS Sydney – secret minute to Prime Minister John Curtin
This is a folio extracted from an item in the National Archives collection that relates to the sinking of the German Raider Kormoran and HMAS Sydney.
Army – Second World War: 1939-45
Find and view army service records for Australian servicemen and women from the Second World War in our collection.
Sound recordings in the National Archives
The National Archives holds a fascinating collection of sound recordings including interviews, speeches, plays, documentaries, music and sports broadcasts.