Recording Government

Assessment and Audit

On This Page

• Online Assessment of Records Management Practices
• Assessment Reports
• Records Management Improvement Tools
• Further information

Online Assessment of Records Management Practices

Between December 2009 and April 2010 State Records conducted an assessment survey of agency records management practices.

The aim of the survey was to enable agencies to benchmark themselves against the 11 outcomes established in the Adequate Records Management Standard as well as to enable State Records to determine trends across government. Results of the assessment would then be used by agencies and State Records to progressively improve recordkeeping practices across government.

State Records has now analysed State Government agency responses and prepared individual Records Management Assessment Survey Reports.

Agencies' responses to the survey questions has enabled State Records to determine a current performance level for each of the outcomes.

• Performance Level 1: Baseline
• Performance Level 2: Awareness
• Performance Level 3: Defining and documenting good practice
• Performance Level 4: Establishing consistent good practice
• Performance Level 5: Breaking through to best practice.

Related Information:

• Assessment and audit records management practices
• Adequate Records Management Standard

Assessment Reports

Records Management Assessment Survey Reports summarise agency results, outline what areas need improvement and how these can be achieved.

Reports have been provided to agency executives.

Upon receipt of the assessment report from State Records, agencies are requested to investigate and determine activities that they will undertake over the subsequent two years to progressively improve their records management programs.

It is expected that the actions outlined in reports form the basis of individual agency Records Management Action Plans. The Action Plan is to be signed by the agency executive (or delegate) and forwarded to State Records by 30 November 2011.

To assist agencies, an Action Plan template has been developed - see link below.

State Government Agencies and Local Government Authorities should save a copy of the relevant template and then remove, add or alter the actions listed to produce an Action Plan that specifically addresses that agency's issues.

The development of the Action Plan should not be done in isolation and should, where appropriate, take into account work being undertaken at a department level. Report recipients should consult with their department's records manager during the development of their action plan.

Records Management Action Plan Template for State Government State Government Action Plan Template (400 KB DOC File)
Records Management Action Plan Template for Local Government Local Government Action Plan Template (419 KB DOC File)

Records Management Improvement Tools

To assist agencies improve their records management practices and to fulfil the requirements of their Action Plan, State Records has a number of resources available. These include a number of Records Management Improvement Tools.

List of Records Management Improvement Tools to assist Government Agencies. Records Management Improvement Tools (101 KB PDF File)

Further information

If you require assistance in developing your agency action plan, please contact your department's records manager in the first instance.

If you have any further queries, please email Records Management Enquiries.

Related Information:

• Adequate Records Management Standard