Access to University records

Access to official Australian National University records for research purposes is granted in accordance with the provisions of the Archives Act 1983. This means that the generality of records over 30 years old may be made available for research, except for records deemed to be exempt under section 33 of the Act. Exemptions that are most likely to apply to University records are:

• an unreasonable disclosure of information relating to the personal affairs of a person
• information relating to trade secrets or other information having a commercial value that could be destroyed or diminished through disclosure
• information where disclosure could have a substantial adverse effect on financial or property interests of the University and where disclosure would, on balance, not be in the public interest.

Specific access restrictions may apply to some collections of personal papers held by the Archives.

Researchers using University records are asked to sign an access agreement, which sets out conditions of access to the records. Under these conditions:

• researchers are to handle records carefully and not disturb or rearrange the records;
• any copying of the records is subject to their physical condition and to copyright requirements;
• appropriate acknowledgment and citation of records held by the ANU University archives is given in theses and published works;
• and the permission of the University Archivist is to be sought for publication of research based substantially on the Universityâs records.

You will be asked to sign an access agreement when you visit the Archives to use University records.