Other key parts of the Act include provisions governing the disposal of records, a statutory basis for a right of public access to records more than thirty years old, and the transfer of records required as State archives to the custody and control of NSW State Archives.

For more detail about who the Act applies to and public offices' recordkeeping obligations see Summary of provisions and Key obligations under the State Records Act.

NSW State Archives has developed a suite of products including policies, standards, procedures and guidance for application across Government to assist public offices and officials meet the policy objectives and compliance requirements of the State Records Act.

State Records Regulation 2015

The State Records Act provides a number of means to lawfully dispose of State records. Generally this is through the retention and disposal authorities issued by NSW State Archives. Another means is in accordance with the normal administrative practice provisions of the Act which allow for the disposal of certain types of facilitative and duplicate records. Please see Schedule 2 of the State Records Regulation 2015 for more information on what constitutes normal administrative practice in a public office.

Who is covered by the State Records Act?

The legislation covers a wide range of public sector bodies, including:

• NSW Government agencies
• State owned corporations
• local government
• the public hospital system, and
• universities

In addition, the records of the Governor, Parliament and the courts are subject to Parts 3 & 5 of the Act and can be covered by the remaining parts of the Act by agreement.

The Act refers to all the types of bodies covered as 'public offices' and the records they generate as 'State records'.