Archiving

Archiving is just the first step in a complex series of processes to ensure long-term access to government information in electronic formats. Preservation strategies must also be put in place so that electronic information will still be accessible into the future after multiple changes to hardware and software technology platforms have occurred.

Why Must I?

Under s. 24 of the Archives Act 1983 Australian Government agencies must retain or dispose of their records in accordance with instructions issued by the National Archives of Australia. The Act also establishes that the public generally has a right of access to Commonwealth records.

Under the 2000 Government Online Strategy departments and agencies are required to follow the principles outlined in Archiving Web Resources - A policy for keeping records of web-based activity in the Commonwealth Government (National Archives of Australia).

Related requirements

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 extends the right of every person to access to information in the possession of the Australian Government and its authorities.

Commonwealth agencies are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 to handle personal information in accordance with the Act's Information Privacy Principles.

The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 enables business and the community to use electronic communications in their dealings with government.

The Evidence Act 1995 requires that all agencies need to take account of evidence legislation. A court may need to examine records as evidence of an organisation's decisions and actions.