Access conditions for records held by State Records are set by the agency responsible for the records.
For records not held by State Records refer directly to the agency.
Access conditions are determined by the sensitivity and level of personal information contained in a record. This offers protection from general access.
Access conditions and the responsible agencies are identified using ArchivesSearch.
Records containing:
- low level personal information are usually restricted from general access for 30 years. This date is to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
- sensitive personal information or material that is commercially confidential, might be restricted for 60, 80 or 100 years. This date is to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
For more detailed information on how agencies determine access conditions refer to the Public Access Determinations Guideline.
To access the records before they become available for general access, apply to the agency responsible for the records.
- ArchivesSearch shows the agency responsible for the series which contains the records and the period of restriction specified in the access determination.
- Contact the agency responsible for the records to:
- Obtain an Access Authorisation Letter, allowing you to view records at the Research Centre or
- Make a formal application under the Freedom of Information Act.
Records relating to adoptions are restricted from general access. This is to protect the privacy of the individuals involved but does not prevent you from applying to access your own records.
To request permission to access a restricted record about yourself or a family member contact Department for Child Protection, Past Adoption Services.
Find and Connect may also be of interest to Forgotten Australians and British Child Migrants separated by adoption.
Records relating to children in care are restricted from general access for 100 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
This is to protect the privacy of the individuals involved but does not prevent you from applying to access your own records.
To request permission to access a restricted record about yourself or a family member,
and for information about support services for care leavers, contact the Department for Child Protection.
If you are applying for information on an ancestor the Department for Child Protection prefers to process requests for access made using their Freedom of Information Application Form.
Phone (08) 8226 4399 or email DCP.FOI@sa.gov.au.
Many court records are restricted from general access for 100 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record, reflecting conditions applied in the legislation establishing the courts.
This is to protect the privacy of the individuals involved but does not prevent you from applying to access your own records.
If you wish to access restricted records, apply to the Registrar of the relevant court.
If the Court provides you with written permission to view or copy a restricted record, please forward a copy to us and we can advise on how to order and view the record.
Supreme Court
The Registrar
Supreme Court
1 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5001
Ph: (08) 8204 0289
Email: supreme.registry@courts.sa.gov.au or criminal.registry@courts.sa.gov.au
Coroner’s Court
The Registrar
Coroner’s Office
302 King William St. Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (08) 8204 0600
Email: coroner@courts.sa.gov.au
Magistrate’s Court (responsible for Magistrates, District, Local or Police Court records)
The Registrar
Magistrate’s Court of South Australia
PO Box 6115
Halifax Street SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8204 2444
Email: AMCregistry@courts.sa.gov.au
Records containing personal information about prisoners are usually restricted from general access for 100 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
This does not prevent access by a person who has a specific right to know the information contained.
The Department for Correctional Services prefers to process requests for access by using the Freedom of Information Application Form.
Complete the form and submit it to:
Freedom of Information, Department for Correctional Services
GPO Box 1747 Adelaide 5001
400 King William St Adelaide 5000
Email: dcs@sa.gov.au
Records containing personal medical information are generally restricted from general access for at least 60 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
This does not prevent access by a person who has a specific right to know the information.
Apply in writing directly to the Hospital, or to SA Health for permission to access information in these records.
The Freedom of Information Officer, SA Health
PO Box 287 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000
Telephone: (08) 8226 0705
Queen Victoria Hospital, Adelaide Children's Hospital, Women's and Children's Hospital or Estcourt House records
The Freedom of Information Officer, Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Road, North Adelaide SA 5006
Phone: (08) 8161 8145 or (08) 8161 6127
Email: cywhsfoiofficer@health.sa.gov.au
Website: http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/about/foi/foi.html
Glenside Hospital (and previous mental health hospital records)
Records that provide the personal information of patients with mental health conditions are usually restricted from general access for 100 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
This does not prevent access by a person who has a specific right to know the information.
For records about a relative, you may need to include evidence of your relationship to that person such as copies of birth, death or marriage records.
Apply to Glenside Health Services for permission to access information in these records.
The Records Manager, Glenside Health Services
Karrayarta Dr., Glenside SA 5065
Phone: 08 7087 1000
McBride Maternity Hospital (Adelaide Maternity Home) records
The McBride Maternity Hospital records are not open for general access. This is to prevent unauthorised access to entries which relate to cases under the Adoption Act.
This does not prevent access by a person who has a specific right to know the information.
Apply to Department for Child Protection for permission to access information in these records using their Freedom of Information Application Form.
Records relating to police reports and investigations are restricted from general access for up to 100 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
This is to protect the privacy of the individuals involved but does not prevent you from applying to access your own records.
To request access to a restricted record, contact SA Police:
SA Police
Information Services Branch - Freedom of Information Unit
GPO Box 1539
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (08) 7322 3347
Website: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/freedom-of-information
Records providing the personal information of students are restricted from general access for 30 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
Records providing the personal information of teachers are restricted from general access for 60 years to 31 December from the last year noted in the record.
This does not prevent access by a person who has a specific right to know the information.
To request access to a restricted record or to seek records relating to yourself, contact the Department for Education Information Release Unit:
Department for Education
Information Release Unit
GPO Box 1152
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (08) 8226 3231
Email: Education.InformationRelease@sa.gov.au
Website: www.education.sa.gov.au