National Archives of Australia

NSW State Archives and Records update

NSW State Archives and Records has recently released a new Regulatory Framework for the State Records Act 1998 and a Records Management Assessment Tool (RMAT).

The Regulatory Framework describes NSW State Archives and Records’ approach to regulating records management and recordkeeping, and how the powers of the State Records Act 1998 will be used to support regulatory activities. The focus for 2021 – 2024 will be on: • Assisting public offices to be compliant by o making it easier for a public office to know what it needs to do in order to comply with the State Records Act and the standards issued under the Act o providing clear information on requirements, and o providing information to enable organisations to value good records management. • Monitoring the state of records management and recordkeeping in public offices so that we have a clear view of performance and can effectively regulate and respond to emerging issues, risks and challenges, and report to the

Minister and Parliament on the state of records management and recordkeeping in NSW. • Promoting excellence in records management and recordkeeping and how this contributes to achieving the outcomes of the State

Records Act and promoting trust in the public record and Government.

At the heart of the Regulatory Framework is a responsive regulatory approach which enables us to use coordinated, responsive and risk-informed practices to improve compliance through cooperative and collaborative engagement with public offices.

The Records Management Assessment Tool is an important component of the new Framework. It is a self-assessment tool that enables public offices to conduct maturity assessments against recordkeeping requirements.

The results can be used to:

• Manage risk and plan for investments in improving an organisation’s practices and processes in managing records, information and data. • Understand the current performance of the records and information governance programs. • Measure progress in capability and maturity in meeting requirements of the State Records Act 1998.

While the RMAT focuses on the management of records, the Tool also highlights the links between records management and requirements for cyber security, privacy, data sharing, open data and information access (GIPAA).

The Regulatory Framework and Records Management Assessment Tool are available from www.records. nsw.gov.au/recordkeeping

NEXT EDITION: DECEMBER 2021

Recognise, Reflect and Reset: The Year that Was

THIS EDITION WILL COVER: • What significant changes have surfaced as a practitioner in response to the pandemic? • The fast track to digital workspaces and places and the affect it has had on operations. • The increasing and ever-growing need for workplaces to implement mental health strategies that move beyond traditional methods to establish work, life, balance. • Recognizing automation for what it is and how best to adapt to it, live with it manage it? • Data vulnerability and the consequences faced to necessitate improved data security.

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COPY DUE: 17 OCTOBER, 2021