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Please see our Agency Retrieval page. Since 1st October 2018 all archive retrievals are delivered digitally. If your agency is not an existing GRR web user there may be a small delay in servicing your request while we set up new accounts. 

There is no one place where you can find out how long records should be kept. The statutory requirements for how long records need to be kept are set out in retention and disposal authorities approved by our Board. These can be found on our website.

NSW State Archives and Records only has jurisdiction over organisations covered by the State Records Act 1998 (e.g. NSW Government departments and agencies, State-owned corporations, local health districts, local government councils, and universities) in relation to the disposal of records.

Private organisations and individuals should consult any legislation, regulations and standards that are relevant to them, and can choose to be guided by our retention and disposal authorities if it is helpful. More common records such as finance and personnel records are covered by one of our general authorities. 

We would also suggest confirming retention and disposal requirements with your legal provider.

Please note: if the private sector organisation is contracted to provide services for NSW Government, the contract or agreement with the NSW Government will contain requirements for the creation, management, access to, and disposal of records.

The majority of records can be destroyed after scanning or digitisation, provided that quality assurance has been carried out and that the digital versions are retained for the minimum retention periods set out in our approved retention and disposal authorities. Organisations covered by the State Records Act 1998 (e.g. NSW Government departments and agencies, and State-owned corporations, local health districts, local government councils, and universities), should consult the General retention and disposal authority: original or source records that have been copied for further advice, including specific exclusions for State archives created prior to 1980, audio-visual records required as State archives, and records of high importance to individuals such as care leavers. As mentioned above, our retention and disposal authorities do not apply to private organisations and individual

For detailed advice on managing these types of disasters please see:

• Dealing with Wet Records (Conservation Tip No. 6)
• Dealing with Mouldy Records (Conservation Tip No. 5)