The State Records Office of Western Australia provides archival and records management services to State and Local Government agencies. These services are undertaken by two teams: the Archival Services Team and the State Information Management Services Team.
The Archival Services Team co-ordinates the transfer of archival and intermediate records into the custody of the State Records Office. This Team is responsible for the documentation and preservation of archival records, and for facilitating access to the State's archives collection by the public and by government agencies.
The State Information Management Services Team provides a consultative and advisory service for Records Managers throughout the public sector. This Team aims to promote best practice recordkeeping, and to this end endorses compliance with current recordkeeping standards.
Services:
Advice and Consultancy
The State Information Management Services Team provides a consultancy service to government agencies on any aspect of managing the records created, received or controlled by the organisation. This comprises the provision of advice via telephone or email and on-site agency-specific advice as required.
Policies and Standards
The State Records Office formulates policies, standards and guidelines as required for inclusion in the Policies and Standards Manual. These are developed to assist agencies with changes in recordkeeping that result from changing practices within Government. Issues addressed to date include recordkeeping aspects of the amalgamation or corporatisation of agencies, microfilming of State records, and the management of electronic records.
Publications
In addition to the development of policies and standards, the State Records Office produces a number of publications for Records Management officers.
Training Courses
The State Records Office provides training courses for records management staff. These courses cover topics such as introduction to records management practices, management of electronic records, disaster planning, and retention and disposal authority planning.
Records management officers across all levels of government, as well as students and private sector personnel, are encouraged to attend the courses.
Disposal of State Records
The State Records Office advises agencies on the legislative requirements governing State records and the process of gaining approval to transfer or destroy State records. Under the State Records Act every government agency is required to develop a recordkeeping plan to be approved by the State Records Commission. State Records Office staff will guide agency staff through this process. Further information is available from the State Information Management Services Team on 9427 3661 or email sro@sro.wa.gov.au.
Intermediate Records Repository
The Intermediate Records Repository is available for the storage of the intermediate, or semi-active, records of Western Australian State Government agencies.
Transfers
The Archival Services Team is able to offer guidance through the transfer of archival and intermediate records into the custody of the State Records Office.
Government Loans
A loans service is available to government agencies wishing to access their own records or those of their predecessor agencies.
Preservation Advice
The State Records Office is able to provide advice on a range of preservation and conservation matters, including information on microfilming of State records, and offers a service to State and Local Government agencies to microfilm archival records to approved ISO and Australian Standards.
Further Information
The State Records Office is here to help with recordkeeping in the public sector. If you require assistance, please contact us.