Recordkeeping training resources
Information, guidance and training to help you meet your recordkeeping responsibilities in government.
Introduction to good recordkeeping
This short animation introduces employees in NSW public offices, (public sector bodies such as NSW Government agencies, local councils, local health districts, State owned corporations and universities) to the importance of good recordkeeping.
Public office employees at all levels should watch it to understand their roles and responsibilities as public office recordkeepers.

Introduction to Good Recordkeeping
Read transcriptOnline training modules
You can access our free online training modules on records management and recordkeeping in the NSW public sector at our Learning Portal.
State Records NSW Learning Portal
The table below outlines the intended audience for each module and the time required to complete the module (mostly around 20 minutes).
The State Records NSW Learning Portal User Guide has been developed to assist NSW public office employees in all roles to participate in the training on recordkeeping available from the State Records NSW Learning Portal.
State Records NSW is currently testing a distributed SCORM file solution. The State Records NSW SCORM Dispatch Guide has been developed to assist NSW public offices in the test cohort to access SCORM files for the modules. A demonstration session on downloading SCORM files from the State Records NSW Learning Portal can be viewed on YouTube.
If you have any difficulties in accessing the modules, have suggestions for further online courses, or would like assistance with embedding these modules in your organisation’s learning management system, please contact us.
Course name | Audience | Time required | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Recordkeeping concepts | All public office employees | 30 minutes | This module assists all staff of public offices who create, receive or manage records in the course of their daily duties to understand key records management concepts. These concepts provide an essential foundation for managing records in the NSW public sector. |
Recordkeeping and you | All public office employees | 20 minutes | This module assists all staff in the organisation to understand their broad responsibilities for making and managing records when working for the NSW government. Note: The module is largely based on the National Archives of Australia's Keeping the Knowledge module. Copyright for this material is held by the National Archives of Australia |
Email management | All public office employees | 20 minutes | This module assists all staff who send or receive emails in the course of their duties when working for public offices to understand requirements in relation to the creation, capture, management, storage and disposal of email. |
Digital recordkeeping concepts | All public office employees | 30 minutes | This module assists all staff of public offices to understand digital recordkeeping concepts and frameworks. These concepts provide an essential foundation for managing records in the NSW public sector. |
Recordkeeping and you: supervisors and managers | Supervisors and managers of public officer employees, and records and information managers | 20 minutes | This module assists all supervisors and managers in the organisation to understand their recordkeeping responsibilities when working in NSW government. |
Framework for records and information management in NSW | Records and information managers | 20 minutes | This module assists records and information managers understand the legislative, policy and business frameworks for records and information management in the NSW public sector. |
How to dispose of records | Records and information managers and all public office employees who need to know how to dispose of records | 20 minutes | This module assists records and information managers and employees involved in the disposal of records understand the legislative framework and processes for disposing of records when working in a public office in NSW |
Role of the Senior Responsible Officer | Senior responsible officers | 15 minutes | The senor responsible officer (SRO) is the person in an organisation who has been assigned strategic responsibility and oversight of records and information management. This module explains in detail what a SRO is, what is expected of them and why the role is important. It also provides guidance to assist the SRO to perform their role. |
Briefing sessions
State Records NSW regularly offers briefing sessions on various topics, such as recordkeeping and business systems.
Those interested in briefings are encouraged to subscribe to our newsletter, For the Record, or to attend our Records Managers’ Forums. These are two ways we regularly communicate with public offices regarding new developments and training opportunities.
Education and career development opportunities in records and archives
Education and training in records and information management is relevant to all records and archives professionals in the NSW public sector. Undertaking further education is a means to advance your position, improve your skills and learn more about recordkeeping in today's rapidly evolving business and technological environment. Whether you have learnt 'on-the-job' or already hold a formal qualification, there are a range of opportunities available for furthering your knowledge or obtaining additional qualifications.
A number of Australian universities offer information management courses that include records management. Please refer to the ASA website and the RIMPA Global courses web page for more information on accredited universities.
Some private sector organisations also offer records management training. See the Your Career website for details of courses and training and education providers.
The Council of Australasian Archives and Records Authorities (CAARA) has compiled an Index of Records and Archives Education Resources to support records and information management professionals across jurisdictions.
Professional associations
The Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) and the Records and Information Management Practitioners Alliance (RIMPA Global) offer a number of resources and opportunities that contribute to ongoing professional development.
Please note: Course and contact details may be subject to change. Please check with the institution or organisation named for up-to-date information.
The ASA has a suite of six online self-directed courses available based on the Keeping Archives textbook.
These courses are available from the ASA website. The courses include:
- Introduction to Records and Archives
- Appraisal
- Context Control and Documentation
- Physical Management and Preservation
- Access
- Digital Records and Archives
The ASA also hosts a range of professional development events, including its annual conference, special interest group meetings, seminars and state and territory based monthly branch meetings. The society also issues three issues of its journal, Archives and Manuscripts, each year and a monthly e-newsletter Archives Matter. See the ASA website for more information.
RIMPA Global hosts a range of professional development events, including its annual conference, seminars and state and territory based monthly branch meetings. RIMPA Global also publishes the Marketplace directory on its website. A number of the consultants listed in this directory provide short course records management training. See the RIMPA Global website for more information.
Informaa Quarterly
Informaa Quarterly is a publication of RIMPA Global. Informaa is distributed four times a year to all members of RIMPA Global. It features in-depth articles on records management issues and keeps members up to date with the activities of the association.
Each November, Informaa Quarterly focusses on education and training opportunities for records managers. See the RIMPA Global website for more information about joining RIMPA Global and obtaining Informaa Quarterly.