How to become an archivist or records manager

Curate and manage historical documents, corporate records, and cultural artefacts for the preservation of information.

Pathways to this career

  1. Complete an undergraduate degree in a related field.
  2. Further your career with postgraduate study. Common degrees include records management, information studies, information science or information services.
  3. Register with the Australian Society of Archivists to stay up-to-date with industry news.

What does an archivist or records manager do?

Archivists, curators, and records managers work for institutions including museums, libraries, and historical societies. They are responsible for collecting and maintaining collections of significance, preserving the past so others can rediscover it.

Duties and tasks

  • Advance new methods for record keeping and classification systems to ensure effective organisation and navigation through the systems.
  • Apply security codes and software to protect classified information and grant access only to authorised individuals.
  • Develop and maintain organisation's record keeping systems, updating them periodically and analysing operations to modify systems for optimal results.
  • Identify the condition of historical documents, objects or artefacts and coordinate or perform restoration and preservation efforts.
  • Implement procedures for archiving documents or data and create classification systems, indexes and guides for locating them.
  • Interpret a variety of records and preserve or archive them for future use.
  • Organise artefacts and verify authenticity, consulting with specialists when necessary.

Industry bodies

Related jobs

  • Archive executive
  • Archivist
  • Information officer
  • Librarian
  • Records officer

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