Public sector organisations in NSW have records management obligations under the State Records Act 1998 (the Act) and the Standard on records management. Understanding these obligations is an essential part of your role as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO).
Your organisation's size, resources and function will influence how the SRO role is allocated and implemented. The SRO is a senior role designated to have corporate responsibility or oversight of records and information management within the organisation.
The SRO:
- works with the chief executive and/or senior management to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Act
- oversees the organisation's records management program, including developing and implementing governance frameworks, strategies, policies and procedures
- champions the value and importance of records, information and data, and their effective management
- leads records, information and data management initiatives
- collaborates and/or builds partnerships with relevant business stakeholders to ensure that good recordkeeping practices are considered and embedded across the organisation
- keeps abreast of compliance requirements as issued by State Records NSW
- advises State Records NSW of changes or incidents impacting records and information management within the organisation. This includes changes to personnel undertaking this role.
The table below provides information on the key resources you will need to be aware of, consider and understand to help your organisation comply with the Act.
| Resource | How it will help you and your organisation |
|---|---|
| State Records Act 1998 |
This sets the mandatory requirements or key obligations for creation, management and protection of records of NSW public offices. An overview has been developed to help you understand the key sections of the Act. |
| Regulatory Framework | This describes State Records NSW approach to regulating records management in public offices. |
| Standards and policies |
This page provides links to:
|
| Records and information management policy checklist |
Use this checklist to:
|
| Identifying and managing high-value and high-risk records, information and data | This provides information on how to identify and prioritise records of high-value and high-risk. The approach provided matches up with the approaches taken in cybersecurity to protect the most critical information and data assets of an organisation. |
Note: For any changes to to your organisation's chief executive, SRO or records management contact, please email govrec@staterecords.nsw.gov.au with the following information:
- Name
- Email address
- Position
- Telephone number
- Role: CEO / SRO / Records management contact
- Name of the organisation.