Digitisation of records

Learn how to plan and manage digitisation projects, choose the right records for back-capture, and meet technical and compliance requirements. Explore best practices, costs, risks, and staffing considerations to ensure a successful transition to digital records.

Cloud computer graphic

Digitisation is the process of converting physical records into digital formats. This can be done by photographing or scanning the original documents. Access details about digitisation in the following pages. Also see our policies, procedures, standards and benchmarks and quality assurance.

Planning and requirements

Before you start digitising records, you need to understand what your organisation needs, what it will cost, and what risks are involved. Good planning helps make the process easier and ensures you get the most value from going digital.

Determining requirements

This guidance provides steps for digitisation programs, including preparation, quality assurance, and managing records.

Planning for business process digitisation

This guide helps organisations plan digitisation projects effectively.

Benefits, costs, risks

Understand the benefits, costs and risks involved, when planning business process digitisation programs.

Digitisation FAQs

This page describes the conditions under which original paper records can be destroyed after digitisation, provided they meet the requirements of GA45.

Managing digitsation projects

Graphic of people in puzzle

Back-capture digitsation

Back-capture digitisation means turning existing paper records into digital files.

It can make records easier to find and keep safe for the future. 

Knowing which records to digitise, how much it will cost, and following a clear process can help make the project a success.

Why back-capture digitisation?

This section explains the purpose and considerations behind back-capture digitisation. 

Back-capture digitisation checklist

The digitisation checklist is designed to be a quick reference source for information about inclusions in a back-capture digitisation project.

Costs of back-capture

This section of the guidelines discusses the costs and risks associated with back-capture digitisation projects, along with ways to mitigate the risks.

Right records for back-capture

Make informed decisions when selecting records for back-capture digitisation projects.

Records and compliance

Not all records need to be digitised, and some have rules about how they must be stored or managed. Understanding which records are official and how to handle paper records in public offices helps meet legal requirements.

What are the 'official' records?

Digitisation specifications for digital records 

Technical considerations

To digitise records properly, you need the right equipment, file formats, and metadata (information about the records). 

Whether you are working with documents, audio, or video, following best practices helps keep digital records useful and accessible in the long run.

Last updated:
Top of page