University of New South Wales

Records and Archives Office

The Records and Archives Office was formed in May 2006 by the amalgamation of the University Archives and the Records Administration Section. The amalgamation of the two units reflects the emphasis placed by UNSW on compliance with its legal obligations. The office now forms part of Legal and Compliance Services within the Division of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Records and Archives Office is responsible for:

• The development and maintenance of the UNSW Recordkeeping Program, including the development, monitoring and review of policies, procedures and guidelines
• The provision of advice, support and training in recordkeeping to the university community
• The provision of a central recordkeeping facility for the central university administration
• Support for faculties, schools and units that use TRIM, the university’s central recordkeeping system, as the basis of their own recordkeeping systems
• Monitoring and reporting on recordkeeping throughout UNSW
• Ensuring the legal disposal of State records in the custody of UNSW
• The management of and provision of access to State archives in accordance with the requirements of State Records NSW
• The management of an archival program for collecting, managing and providing access to private records relating to UNSW
• The conduct of an oral history program to document aspects of the history of the UNSW

When the university was founded in 1949 and for some years immediately afterwards the Correspondence and Records Branch of the Department of Technical Education undertook recordkeeping responsibilities on behalf of the university. In May 1954 the Division of the Bursar was established and from then on the recordkeeping function steadily moved across from the department to the university. In 1987 the unit responsible for UNSW current recordkeeping was named the Records Administration Section which reflected the introduction of a more systematic approach to recordkeeping within the university.

The University Archives was established in 1980 and the first professional archivist appointed. A University Archives Advisory Committee was also established at this time to advise the Vice Chancellor on matters relating to the development and operation of the University Archives. The Committee meets twice a year.

The University Archives was assigned responsibility for an archival program including the collection and preservation of the archival records of the university, and for the provision of access to these records. The Archives also collects private papers of former staff and students and of UNSW-related organisations. It further conducts the university’s oral history program which records individual histories of past and present members of the university community. As well as adding to the history of UNSW, the interviews cover a range of other topics: scholarly contributions within a number of disciplines including the sciences, engineering, economics and the arts; discussions of political, social and religious issues; student experience and protest; women's scholarship; and the 'idea of the university' in modern society. Also included are the life histories of some eminent Australians who, at certain stages of their career, have been at UNSW.

UNSW uses its archival records to meet current business needs and accountability requirements. As custodian of UNSW’s archival records we ensure compliance with statutory and other legal obligations, including the New South Wales State Records Act. The archival collections are an important information resource, which contribute to the university’s research function and also to its teaching function through classes and professional attachments for students.

Link to UNSW Records and Archives Office pages