Unlocking the Secrets of the National Archives of Australia: Your 60‑Second Guide to a Government Career 🏛️
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the National Archives of Australia? We’ve done the heavy lifting and dissected their latest annual report, so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you'll discover everything you need to know about this department, from key functions and financials to the top skills and qualifications they’re seeking in new recruits. Whether you’re an experienced public servant or a fresh graduate, this guide will equip you with the insights to navigate your path to a fulfilling government career.
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department: National Archives of Australia
Location: Headquartered in Canberra, with offices in every Australian state and territory
CEO: Director-General, Mr. Simon Froude
Total Revenue: Approximately $96.65 million in 2023–24
Total Number of Employees: 410 (as at 30 June 2024)
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited:
Information Management or Records Management – Helps preserve, organise, and provide public access to key government records, both digital and paper.
History or Heritage Studies – Equips you to research, curate, and contextualise Australia’s historical documents and narratives.
Information Technology or Computer Science – Critical for building digital archives, ensuring cybersecurity, and streamlining data retrieval processes.
Archives or Library Science – Provides the core principles of archival theory, appraisal, and public service.
Business Administration or Public Administration – Essential for coordinating large-scale projects, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.
Top 5 certifications most suited:
Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP) – Ensures large-scale digitisation and preservation projects are delivered on time and budget.
Information Security (e.g., CISM, CISSP) – Protects sensitive archival content and maintains strong cybersecurity standards.
Digital Preservation/Archiving – Demonstrates your ability to safeguard at-risk and born-digital materials.
Data Analytics – Leverages archival data to inform policy decisions and enrich historical research.
Records Compliance and Governance – Addresses regulatory obligations under the Archives Act 1983 and beyond.
Top 5 trades / professions most suited:
Conservation Technicians – Maintain and restore fragile documents, photographs, and other items to museum-grade standards.
IT Specialists (Systems/Network Administrators) – Ensure uninterrupted and secure digital infrastructure for records management.
Archival Technologists – Oversee digitisation hardware and software to produce high-quality digital copies.
Digital Content Creators / Editors – Transform archival materials into captivating exhibitions, blogs, and online displays.
Facilities / Property Management Professionals – Manage climate-controlled storage, specialised vaults, and visitor-friendly spaces.
Top 5 skills most suited:
Attention to Detail – Prevents errors in catalogue entries and ensures accurate preservation.
Research and Analytical Skills – Enables in-depth exploration of historical documents to shape government policy and community knowledge.
Communication Skills – Explains intricate archival processes clearly to public stakeholders and other agencies.
Collaboration – Encourages teamwork across digitisation projects, exhibitions, and nation-wide programs.
Problem-Solving – Essential for tackling digital obsolescence or scaling up high-priority preservation projects.
Top 5 work experiences most suited:
Government Policy Work – Deepens understanding of the role archives play in shaping legislative and policy outcomes.
Museum or Library Roles – Familiarity with cataloguing, preserving, and providing public engagement with heritage collections.
Digital Transformation Projects – Demonstrates the ability to modernise processes through emerging technologies.
Project Coordination / Management – Supports swift, efficient project delivery and robust compliance.
Customer Service or Public-Facing Roles – Ideal for reference and community outreach, building strong relationships with diverse audiences.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: National Archives of Australia
Name of CEO: Director-General, Mr. Simon Froude
Location: Australia-wide (offices in each state and territory)
Year Founded: 1961 (originally the Commonwealth Archives Office; modern role defined under the Archives Act 1983)
Main mission and purpose of the department:
To secure, preserve, and make publicly accessible the Australian Government’s most significant records.
Real-World Example: By digitising military service records and immigration documents, the Archives helps veterans and their families reconnect with important historical details, such as wartime contributions or migration journeys.
Main duties of the department:
Identifying, appraising, and transferring vital documents to the national archival collection.
Offering research services and digitisation-on-demand for public requests.
Real-World Example: A local historian needing Cabinet papers for environmental policy research can request them; if approved, the Archives will digitise and provide them—saving hours or days of on-site searching.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives:
Digitisation of At-Risk Collections: Protecting magnetic tapes, film reels, and fragile paper records.
Defend the Past, Protect the Future Program: Focuses on high-priority preservation, greater digital access, and best-practice archival management.
Digital First Program: Upgrading technology platforms for an end-to-end digital archive solution.
Cybersecurity Enhancements: Safeguarding government records in an evolving digital landscape.
Did you know? The National Archives houses over 52 million items, equivalent to 375 kilometres of analogue records, plus 9.1 petabytes of digital content!
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 410 (as at 30 June 2024)
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
Senior Executive Service (SES): Around 5 employees
Non-SES: Around 405 employees
(These figures reflect APS Act employees under the enterprise agreement or individual determinations.)
Salary Bands:
APS 1 starts at around $52,152
SES 1 can go up to approximately $303,850
(Data inferred from relevant enterprise agreements; see Table 32 in the annual report.)
Average Salary in the Department:
There’s no official published average, but salaries range from $52,152 to $303,850.
Total Revenue: $96.65 million in 2023–24
Average Revenue per Employee: Approximately $236,951
GETTING A JOB AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Business Administration – For supportive roles handling daily administrative tasks.
Information, Digital Media, and Technology – Beneficial for digitisation efforts and basic IT tasks.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Records Management / Archival Studies – A solid grounding in the principles of managing and preserving official records.
Information Systems or Computer Science – Helps build robust digital archives and manage cybersecurity.
PhDs:
History, Heritage, or Cultural Studies – Powers deeper archival research and advanced policy exploration.
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after?
Preservation Technicians, IT Officers, Archivists, Museum Specialists, Project Officers
All contribute to the Archives’ major digitisation initiatives, hands-on preservation, and user-focused service enhancements.
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after?
Project Management in government or cultural institutions
Research or Policy Development in academia or government
IT Systems Management with emphasis on data security
Hands-On Conservation in galleries, libraries, archives, or museums
Customer-Facing Roles for reference, outreach, and community support
Which skills are likely to be most sought after and of value?
Soft Skills:
Collaboration – For cross-branch teamwork on exhibitions and digitisation projects.
Adaptability – To stay effective in a fast-evolving digital archiving environment.
Technical Skills:
Database Management – Cataloguing and retrieving millions of records.
Digital Archiving – Preserving high-volume electronic files with minimal deterioration.
General Skills:
Critical Thinking – Appraising records for lasting significance.
Written Communication – Writing concise, clear summaries and public explanations.
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
Family History / Genealogy – Helps understand the motivations of archives users.
Photography / Photo Restoration – Particularly useful when digitising or restoring older visual formats.
Collecting and Curating – Shows a natural inclination towards preserving culturally significant items.
Tech Enthusiasm – Ideal for staying current with software and hardware for digital preservation.
Want more information on this department?
Contact the department:
Address: Kings Avenue, Parkes ACT 2600
Telephone: +61 2 6212 3600
Email: coordination@naa.gov.au
Website: www.naa.gov.au
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.