Important: This page is an independent reference summary. Verify classification decisions against the official ABS source before using them for tax, licensing, immigration or compliance purposes.

Role overview

Archivists in Australia are professionals who specialise in preserving and managing records of enduring value. They work with diverse materials including historical documents, government records, digital files, and cultural artefacts. Their primary role involves ensuring these materials remain accessible, authentic, and preserved for future generations while maintaining their contextual integrity.

These professionals operate across various Australian sectors including government departments, cultural institutions, universities, and corporate organisations. They develop and implement systems that balance preservation needs with accessibility requirements, often working within legal frameworks governing record retention and information privacy. The occupation requires careful attention to detail and specialised knowledge of preservation techniques and information management principles.

Key tasks in practice

Archivists perform several critical functions in their daily work:

  • Evaluating records to determine their historical, administrative, or legal significance and developing appropriate preservation strategies
  • Conducting examinations and authentication processes to verify the condition and genuineness of documents and artefacts
  • Designing and maintaining archival systems, including classification schemes, finding aids, and retrieval tools for researchers
  • Developing and implementing policies covering records retention, disposal, and access in accordance with Australian standards and legislation
  • Managing digitisation projects to convert physical records to digital formats while preserving metadata and contextual information

Skill level explanation

Archivists are classified at Skill Level 1 under the Australian OSCA classification system. This indicates the occupation typically requires a bachelor degree or higher qualification in a relevant field such as information management, history, or archival studies. Some positions may require postgraduate qualifications, particularly for specialised roles or senior positions.

Skill Level 1 occupations involve high-level specialist expertise and typically include professional roles requiring theoretical knowledge and analytical skills. For archivists, this includes understanding preservation science, information governance frameworks, and research methodologies. The skill level reflects the complex decision-making required in appraising records' value and managing them through technological changes.

Industry context

Archivists in Australia work across multiple industry sectors as reflected in the related ANZSIC codes. They are commonly employed in government administration (ANZSIC 6910), particularly in national and state archives, as well as in cultural institutions falling under other interest group services (ANZSIC 9559).

Educational institutions (ANZSIC 8219) including universities and schools employ archivists to manage institutional records and special collections. Additionally, archivists work in various other service industries (ANZSIC 8609), including corporate archives, religious organisations, and community groups. The digital transformation across these sectors has created growing demand for professionals skilled in digital preservation and electronic records management.