What Are the National Archives of Australia?

The National Archives of Australia was formerly known as the Commonwealth Archives office. This agency is in charge of collecting and preserving vital Commonwealth government records. It is part of Australian Government Agencies that has dedicated itself to serving the country, encouraging the general public to gain access to valuable government records. Accordingly, it promotes its use by organizing exhibitions, publishing books, and educational programs.

1. The Main Role of The National Archives of Australia

Under the Archives Act of 1983, Australian government records can be made available to the public. The Act governs all access to government records about the commonwealth.

Visitors to the Archives are encouraged either online or in-person to explore the vast collection of records of events and decisions that have built the Nation and lives of the Australian people.

Another vital role of this institution is to help the Australian Government and its departments be effective and accountable to its people.

2. The Archives Act of 1983

The Archives Act of 1983 imposes record-keeping obligations on Commonwealth institutions. To fulfil an essential aspect of preserving Australia’s valuable government records and encourage their use, the National Archives of Australia ensures that all Australians have access to the archives.

Citizens of Australia are encouraged to interact with government departments to fulfil the need to preserve their history for future generations. Through this process, the agency helps family historians, academics, and other researchers gain information.

By encouraging government agencies to have authentic record management, this organisation renders invaluable support to Australia’s cultural heritage.

3. The National Office of Archives in Canberra

The National Archives was created as a part of the National Library of Australia, or the Commonwealth National Library, and developed into an independent agency in 1963.

The East Block building was constructed between 1926 and 1927 and is in the parliamentary triangle next to the Provisional Parliament House. The East Block had government offices, such as the Post Office of Canberra and the Telephone Department.

The agency formally inaugurated its National Archives Preservation Facility in Canberra on 9th June 2017. It was a separate office with a room designated for reading and different from the galleries.

4. The National Archives Collection of Australia

The NAA collection has more than 45 million items that represent the records belonging to the Australian Government. The most popular records are the ones that specifically relate to the Department of Defense and documents relating to immigration, which are important to trace family background and history.

The public cannot access some Archives repositories. However, you can view them digitally on request.

Some of the noteworthy collections found herein are:

1. The founding documents, such as the Royal Commission of Assent to the Commonwealth of Australia, The Constitution, and all the records of the colonies that created the Commonwealth of Australia
2. Some of the service records of the World Wars are digitized, too, and can be viewed online at “Discovering Anzacs.”
3. The Drawings of Griffin – The Prizing winning entry of the Design Competition to design Australia’s Federal Capital.
4. Jack Mildenhall’s Canberra images taken in the early 20th century- Photographs taken using a special glass plate negative.
5. Immigration Photographs
6. All copyright registrations.

5. Topics To Explore at the Archives

The Archives give access to some of the most significant and crucial Australian government records to understand the Nation’s past, present, and future.

The collection traces events relating to military service, immigration, first Australians, and much more.

Some of the most popular topics that are generally researched in Australia are as follows:

5.1. The Immigration and Citizenship

National Archives Collection has over a thousand records documenting Australia’s migrant history. To know more about a family’s migration details to Australia, one can research the topic “Immigration and Citizenship.” It covers the following:

• Passenger Arrival Records – This collection traces events relating to ship and aircraft arrival records. These help you understand how people migrated in and out of Australia.
• Immigration Restriction Act 1901 – This was famously known as White Australia Policy. It restricted or limited non-white immigration from 1901 to the 1958.
• Wartime Internment Camps – The Australian Government set up internment camps during World War I and II to shelter prisoners of war and enemy aliens.
• Citizenship Records – This agency has citizenship records from 1904 onwards.
• Migrant Accommodation Camps – The camps were known as training centres and helped migrants learn the English language and look for employment.
• Alien Registration Records – All documentation about non-British immigrants is recorded here.

5.2. Defense and War Service Record

WWI and WWII service records are in the National Archives of Australia. The collection of war service records would give helpful insight if you want to learn more about a family’s war history, to do academic research, or to commemorate ex-service members.

You can research the following:

• War Service – Learn about a person’s war service to the Nation.
• Conflicts – The Archival Collection records every conflict from the Boer War to Vietnam.
• Discovering Anzacs -Government records relating to Australians and New Zealanders in World War 1 and II.
• The entire collection of WWI and II Australian servicemen and women. Some of the most intriguing stories can be found on these pages.
• Royal Australian Navy Ship and Crew.
• Royal Australian Airforce records since its establishment in the year 1921.

5.3. First Australians

The Archives have an immense collection of records about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
All records about individual indigenous people and the Australian government policies on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be available under this heading.

5.4. Australia’s Prime Ministers

The official records of each Prime Minister’s period in office are available for public access. These documents will also have records of their personal lives.

5.5. Intelligence and Security

This contains all official information relating to Australia’s security services. One can analyze the shadowy world of intelligence and espionage. You can research on:

• Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO).
• History of Australian Intelligence and Security.

5.6. Cabinet

The Prime Minister and senior government ministers make up the Australian Cabinet. The Archives will provide insight into the issues and decisions taken by the Government over the past several years, which include:

• Latest Cabinet Release – All decisions taken by Prime Minister John Howard’s second and third terms can be found here.
• Cabinet notebooks – Notebooks of senior public servants can be found here.

6. Archival Research

The main role of the National Archives is to promote archival research in Australia. Australia is a great place to complete higher education. Many students would be glad to know that there are great higher education loan programs. The Archives has awarded the following research grants:

1. Ian Maclean Award- For professionals and archivists interested in archival issues.
2. Frederick Watson Fellowship – Given to established scholars.
3. Margaret George Award – Given to Talented and Emerging Scholars.

Wrapping Up

The National Archives of Australia has an active program that includes touring exhibitions, learning, and outreach programs. The agency continues to be of great help to the Australian Government. It helps to improve data creation, collection, management, and use. The Australian Government, in turn, can protect and serve the people of Australia with the outstanding support of the National Archives of Australia.