State Records have Aboriginal Access Officers who provide services for Aboriginal people.

We support the spirit of Reconciliation and the recognition of individuals’ right of access to their own personal information.

Our records can help members of the Stolen Generations identify and become reunited with members of their families.

Some records are restricted from general public access to protect sensitive information about individuals. To view restricted records you must apply to the agency responsible for approval.

Contact us for help from our Aboriginal Access Officers with:

  • searching for records on behalf of researchers
  • advice on the process for seeking permission to access records which are usually restricted from general public access
  • the development of resources to enable quicker and easier access to records relating to Aboriginal people
  • coordinating visits by groups of researchers to our repository and Research Centre (by appointment), and
  • referring researchers to other sources of records relating to Aboriginal people.

For SA Link-Up (Nunkuwarrin Yunti) clients who were previously separated from family members and are seeking information for reunification purposes, we can also assist with providing copies of relevant records free of charge.

We have also produced a range of guides to Aboriginal history which may help with your research.

Bringing Them Home Report

Bringing Them Home - Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families (April 1997) recognised the crucial role records play in the process of reconciliation. Key recommendations in the Report include:

Recommendation 21

That no records relating to Aboriginal individuals, families or community or to children, Aboriginal or otherwise, removed from their families for any reason, whether held by Government or non-Government agencies, be destroyed.

Recommendation 22a

That all Government record agencies be funded as a matter of urgency by the relevant Government to preserve and index records relating to Aboriginal individuals, families, and/or communities and records relating to all children, Aboriginal or otherwise, removed from their families for any reason.

Recommendation 22b

That indexes and other finding aids be developed and managed in a way that protects the privacy of individuals and prevents the compilation of dossiers.

Recommendation 23

That the Commonwealth and each State and Territory Government establish and fund a Records Task Force constituted by representatives from Government and Church and other non-government agencies and Aboriginal user services.

Page last updated: 5 September 2022