Our Role
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Responsibility under the State Records Act 1997
The State Records Act, 1997 came into effect on 31 October 1997. It is designed to: - establish State Records as the principal repository for official records no longer required by Government for current administrative purposes
- ensure the ongoing preservation of official records of enduring evidential or informational value
- promote observance of best practice records management by government agencies within South Australia
- ensure the public and agencies have ready access to official records held in the custody of State Records.
All agencies of the South Australian Government, both State and Local, are within the scope of the Act. To fulfil its obligations under the Act State Records: - stores and preserves official records of permanent value in a secure repository
- determines the disposal of official records with the approval of the State Records Council
- publishes indexes, guides and other finding aids for official records
- administers a public access regime determined by agencies for records held in its custody
- provides reference and access services for the public and agencies through such means as its website and two Research Centres located in the city and Gepps Cross
- issues Across-Government records management standards and guidelines
- assists agencies in observing best practice records management by providing advice, delivering a training and education program, conducting audits of agencies and reporting inadequate practices to the Minister.
The State Records Act also requires State Records to perform other functions it is assigned by the Minister. As a result State Records administers the Freedom of Information Act, 1991, supports the Privacy Committee of South Australia and administers the State's copyright agreements.
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What type of records do you hold?
We hold records covering almost every facet of public administration within South Australia. The records include maps, plans, correspondence, files, volumes, audiotapes, videotapes, film, photographs and microfiche/microfilm. These resources can be used for researching: - cultural diversity within South Australia
- family history
- government policies and programs and their impact on the South Australian community
- historical events within South Australia
- immigration, emigration and shipping
- issues relating to Aboriginal people
- law enforcement
- public employees such as police, teachers and railways workers.
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How can I access records?
Two Research Centres are open to the public and government agencies. The City Research Centre is centrally located at 26-28 Leigh Street in the Adelaide CBD. The Gepps Cross Research Centre is 10km north of the city at 115 Cavan Road, Gepps Cross. The records in the Collection are housed at the Gepps Cross Repository with some of the most precious items being preserved in environmentally-controlled storage. In South Australia, many government records that are 20 years and over are available for access by the public but records that are less than 20 years old are usually, though not always, restricted. For privacy or other sensitivity reasons, some records are restricted for longer than 20 years. We welcome visitors to both Research Centres, where you will find modern facilities for searching, viewing and ordering records. At both facilities, staff are available to assist you.
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How do I start my research?
To familiarise yourself with the records in our Collection and the services provided, we recommend you begin with the related information links below, from the Discovering our Past section of our website. When visiting a Research Centre you will find a reading and search room area, where you can use specialised finding aids to undertake your research. Most of the time you will be able to view the original record though in some cases access may be restricted. When you request original records for viewing you will need to be registered as a researcher. You can register on-line from our website (via ArchivesSearch) or when visiting a Research Centre. Finding aids available to assist in searching the Collection include: - publications
- catalogues
- indexes
- gazettes
- microfiche/microfilm
- ArchivesSearch, our on-line catalogue.
ArchivesSearch allows you to request and order records on-line for viewing at either Research Centre. However, for preservation or occupational health and safety reasons it may be that certain records can only be viewed at our Gepps Cross Research Centre.
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What else does State Records have to offer?
The City Research Centre is situated in the unique Leigh Street heritage Bickford North building, in the west end of Adelaide. The building has been renovated to preserve its heritage features and at the same time provide modern facilities for visitors and staff. There is always an Exhibition for the public to visit on the lower ground floor of our city location that tells a story of our State's history using records held within the Collection. Our Collection Management Services team provides expert management of the archives within our Collection to ensure that they are available to our customers now and in the future. Our Aboriginal Access team assists clients to access their personal information or conduct research into family and community history, native title, Aboriginal heritage and reconciliation. Our Records Management Services team develops programs and tools that support government agencies to apply standards, guidelines and policies within the South Australian Government's Adequate Records Management framework (ARM). Our Freedom of Information and Privacy team administers and provides advice about the Freedom of Information Act, 1991 and Information Privacy Principles. Our Training and Education program covers all aspects of records and information management. Awareness sessions are provided on-line via our website whilst our qualified trainers deliver operational courses and tertiary accredited courses through a classroom environment.
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