Sustainable file formats in recordkeeping

File formats become outdated when the software needed to open them is no longer available. This can make it hard or impossible to access important information. By taking simple steps, agencies can make sure they can still access their records in the future.

This document provides guidance for Australian government agencies on lowering the risk of losing information because the format in which it is stored has become unreadable. This occurs when the format has become obsolete and it is no longer possible to obtain software to read it.

This guidance is created by the Australasian Digital Recordkeeping Initiative (ADRI) which is composed of representatives from all state and national archival authorities in Australia and New Zealand. ADRI is a Working Group of the Council of Australasian Archives and Records Authorities (CAARA).

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Sustainable digital file formats for creating and using records PDF 4.7MB File last updated on: 21 February 2025.

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Type: Guide
Author: State Records NSW
Publication Date: 01 April 2020

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