The National Archives' collection contains records about key events and decisions that have shaped Australian history.
With more than 45 million items, our collection mainly includes Australian Government records from Federation in 1901 to now.
Records come from Australian Government:
departments
statutory authorities
royal commissions
military units
security and intelligence agencies
diplomatic posts
law enforcement agencies
Cabinet
We hold some key records that document Australia's journey to Federation.
We have records about:
statutory authorities
royal commissions
military units
security and intelligence agencies
diplomatic posts
law enforcement agencies
Cabinet
We hold some key records that document Australia's journey to Federation.
We have records about:
immigration
military service
transport
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
the environment
communications
security and intelligence
foreign affairs
the arts
many other topics
We also hold some important 19th-century records about colonial activities that were transferred to the Australian Government. These include:
military service
transport
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
the environment
communications
security and intelligence
foreign affairs
the arts
many other topics
We also hold some important 19th-century records about colonial activities that were transferred to the Australian Government. These include:
customs
patents
defense
lighthouses
naturalization
shipping
postal and telegraphic services
We hold some High Court of Australia records and papers from high profile Australians.
Governors-general, prime ministers, ministers, High Court judges and senior public servants have sent records to the National Archives.
While most of our records are paper files, we also have:
patents
defense
lighthouses
naturalization
shipping
postal and telegraphic services
We hold some High Court of Australia records and papers from high profile Australians.
Governors-general, prime ministers, ministers, High Court judges and senior public servants have sent records to the National Archives.
While most of our records are paper files, we also have:
photographs
audiovisual records
sound recordings
maps and plans
posters
objects
digital records
Our collection is unique and cannot be replaced.
audiovisual records
sound recordings
maps and plans
posters
objects
digital records
Our collection is unique and cannot be replaced.