Graduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management
PostgraduateCUR-ARM-GDI2025
Become an archivist or records manager
Preserve information and keep it safe for years to come. You’ll work on the core skills and techniques used in today’s professional settings. Explore the importance of records in organisations and communities. Includes industry experience.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 21 May 2025,
- 20 Aug 2025,
- 19 Nov 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management
About this degree
On successful completion of this program the learner will be able to:
- apply knowledge of the theory, principles and practices in archival science and records management
- generate creative and innovative solutions to complex issues facing archives and records management professionals
- access, adapt, and create information and technologies to communicate with diverse stakeholders
- engage in ethical and culturally capable information practices within local, regional and international contexts
- recognise, respect and support diverse cultures and knowledges with particular awareness of Indigenous perspectives
- demonstrate personal autonomy, accountability and collaboration in professional archives and records management practice that reflects high ethical and moral standards
Graduate Diplomas prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.
This program is designed to enhance technical skill and to provide an understanding of the ways in which the field of archives and records management is developing. It will provide graduates with a professional qualification in archives and records management or an avenue to upgrade previous qualifications.
Recommended study pattern
The degree consists of six core subjects including one fieldwork-focused subject and two subjects that must be selected from a specified list. Fieldwork placements are arranged for all students. Exemptions may be possible for students with required levels of work experience in archives or records management.
Please refer to the Enrolment Guide below for more information:
Enrolment Guide (PDF)
See the enrolment planner below.
Graduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management enrolment planner (XLS)
Award requirements
Students must complete 8 subjects in the structure, meeting the following requirements:
- Complete six compulsory core subjects
- Complete two compulsory option subjects from a specified selection of subjects
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $21,880
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
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- 14
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Applicants require a minimum of a three-year bachelor's degree from a recognised tertiary education provider. The course relies on technology skills, so applicants must be competent in word processing and the use of the internet, including web browsing software, before starting the course.
Applicants for a Graduate Diploma are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at Study at Curtin. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
Applications for credit towards a program are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the program and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at Study at Curtin.
Study method requirements
Fieldwork placements are arranged for all students. Exemptions may be possible for students with required levels of work experience in archives or records management.
Students may be required to pay for additional expenses whilst on fieldwork/clinical placements.
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students may be required to pay for additional expenses whilst on fieldwork/clinical placements.
Career opportunities
This program provides students with the skills to acquire, design, manage, access, curate and preserve information, as well as the ability to contextualise information so it is used ethically and meaningfully. The ever-growing volume of information and data requires professionals with these skills to take on responsibilities that include community and stakeholder engagement, program development, metadata and classification, information systems design and digital record keeping.
You may decide to work in in a range of information-related careers including those in:
- Corporate and government records management
- Local, state and national archives
- Community archives
- Family and local history
- Museum archives
- Digital preservation
Professional recognition
This program has met the conditions for preliminary accreditation by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Archivists, Curators and Records Managers | $93K to $120K | Up 12% |
| Librarians | $75K to $93K | Up 17.7% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
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