What we do at State Records NSW
Learn about how State Records NSW promotes good recordkeeping, helps monitor recordkeeping in government and how we authorise the disposal of records.
The role of State Records NSW
State Records NSW is the NSW Government’s records management authority.
Our core role is to support transparent and accountable government. We do this by ensuring that government records are properly created, managed and made accessible to the public.
Good government recordkeeping
We foster excellent recordkeeping practices across the NSW public sector. Our mission is to support effective and efficient recordkeeping by:
- setting and promoting standards and codes of best practice in records management
- helping public offices comply with the requirements of the State Records Act 1998
- promoting good recordkeeping through guidance and resources
- identifying records that hold significant enduring value to the State.
Issuing retention and disposal authorities
A crucial aspect of managing State records is regulating minimum retention periods for records, and identifying records required to be retained permanently as State archives. We do this by working with public offices to review and develop retention and disposal authorities.
Find out more about retention and disposal authorities.
Monitoring compliance
Each public office is required to report on how its recordkeeping processes and records management program meet the requirements of the State Records Act.
We have developed the Record Management Assessment Tool (RMAT) to help agencies monitor compliance with the State Records Act.
As a regulatory body, we assess and report on how well public offices adhere to recordkeeping practices and standards, and identify ways to improve performance.
Learn more about how we monitor compliance or read our 2024 State of Recordkeeping report.