What sorts of records does the National Archives hold?
The National Archives holds mainly 20th-century records created by the federal government since Federation in 1901. We also hold some 19th-century records that were transferred from the colonies after Federation (eg records about defence, customs, patents, lighthouses, naturalisation, shipping, and postal and telegraphic services). We also hold papers of governors-general, prime ministers and ministers, and other Commonwealth persons such as departmental secretaries whose records complement the official record. Usually, records are only available for public access once they enter the open access period, although photographs and some private records of Commonwealth persons may be available sooner. For more information, see Fact sheet 10 – Access to records under the Archives Act.
