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Recordkeeping Advice No. 5

Australian Standard AS ISO 15489 - Records Management

Issued: 13 July 2005   (download the formal issued MS Word version 75KB)

Recordkeeping Advices issued by the State Archivist provide advice on the management of records of State and local government organisations and support or explain recordkeeping requirements set out in formal State records guidelines.

Ian Pearce
State Archivist


Introduction

AS ISO 15489 provides a common international standard for recordkeeping in any medium or format or in any combination of media. AS ISO 15489 also supports other ISO standards with specific recordkeeping requirements. 

The standard enables government organisations to develop policies, strategies and programs, which will ensure that State records have the essential characteristics of accuracy, integrity and reliability.

The standard comprises two Parts: 

Part 1 includes:

  • definitions to clarify meanings and significance of terms commonly misunderstood
  • a summary of the benefits of records management
  • the need for, and ways to establish policies, procedures and practices to ensure that business needs for evidence, accountability and information are met
  • the fundamental principles of records management and how these are realised through a comprehensive program
  • the design and implementation of a recordkeeping system and the characteristics of recorded information
  • monitoring, auditing and training

Part 2 expands on the design and implementation methodology suggested in Part 1 and gives an overview of the processes and factors to consider in order to comply with Part 1.

Endorsement

The State Archivist has endorsed the Australian Standard AS ISO 15489 and promotes this standard as a model for best practice recordkeeping in Tasmanian State and local government organisations in conjunction with the State records guidelines and recordkeeping advices issued through the Archives Office.

Copies of AS ISO 15489 can be purchased from:

SAI Global Business
Publishing"GPO Box 5420 
Sydney NSW 2001 
ph: 1300 65 46 46 
fax: 1300 65 49 49
email: sales@sai-global.com
website: www.standards.com.au