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The State Records Act 1998 is designed to:

• ensure the better management of Government records throughout their existence
• promote more efficient and accountable government through improved recordkeeping, and
• provide better protection for an important part of the State's cultural heritage.

The Act replaced the Archives Act 1960 and established the State Archives and Records Authority of New South Wales, known as NSW State Archives and Records, and its Board.

The State Records Act 1998 came into effect in 1999, replacing the Archives Act 1960.

Key records management provisions of the Act require public offices to:

• make and keep records that fully and accurately document their operations and administration
• establish and maintain a records management program in conformity with standards and codes of best practice approved by NSW State Archives and Records
• ensure that records are stored in conditions appropriate to their format and preservation requirements
• ensure that records held in digital or other technology dependent formats are accessible for as long as they required.

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 and Records.

 This guidance discusses:  

• admissibility of born digital records and digital images of records as evidence
• proving the credibility of digital images
• the types of documents that are still created or received in physical formats.

Local Land Services are responsible for providing advice and services to landholders and the community to improve biosecurity, agricultural production, emergency management, and natural resource management. They are responsible for creating and managing records relating to the administration of these functions, and for the legacy records they have inherited from their predecessor agencies, the Catchment Management and Livestock Health and Pest Authorities, and also the former Rural Lands and Pastures Protection Boards.

This page contains links to rules and guidance that will assist Local Land Services in making and keeping records appropriately.