Australian civil administration
Three levels of government: local or municipal; state and territory; and national or federal.
Local or municipal records
Historically, local government has taken several forms:
Local government is responsible for matters including:
Surviving local government records are sometimes held by the current local authority and sometimes at the state archives. This varies on a case by case basis so researchers should check both options.
- market commission
- district road board
- borough
- shire
- town
- city
Local government is responsible for matters including:
- property rates
- building construction
- traffic regulation
- public health programs
Surviving local government records are sometimes held by the current local authority and sometimes at the state archives. This varies on a case by case basis so researchers should check both options.
State and territory records
Australia's state administration districts have changed over time. Some understanding of the administrative history could help you find the records you want.
New South Wales was initially a vast colony that even encompassed New Zealand. Various districts separated from New South Wales to form separate colonies, e.g the district of Port Phillip became the colony of Victoria. After Australian federation in 1901 the colonies became states. Australia now comprises eight states and territories.
State government records created after separation would be held at the relevant state archives. Records created before separation could be held at the original state archives but were sometimes transferred to the new area. So for records of Port Phillip in the 1840s, look at the archives of both New South Wales and Victoria.
New South Wales was initially a vast colony that even encompassed New Zealand. Various districts separated from New South Wales to form separate colonies, e.g the district of Port Phillip became the colony of Victoria. After Australian federation in 1901 the colonies became states. Australia now comprises eight states and territories.
- Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) separated from New South Wales in 1825.
- South Australia separated from New South Wales in 1836.
- New Zealand separated from New South Wales on 1 July 1841.
- Victoria (Port Phillip) separated from New South Wales on 1 July 1851.
- Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859.
- Northern Territory was transferred to South Australia from New South Wales in 1863 and separated from South Australia in 1911.
- Australian Capital Territory separated from New South Wales in 1911.
- Western Australia had separate administration from the start.
State government records created after separation would be held at the relevant state archives. Records created before separation could be held at the original state archives but were sometimes transferred to the new area. So for records of Port Phillip in the 1840s, look at the archives of both New South Wales and Victoria.
National or federal records
National records made after Australian federation in 1901 are usually held at the National Archives of Australia, which has reading rooms in each of the Australian capital cities. However the change-over often differed between states and was not always immediate.
For example, naturalisation records from 1904 are held at the National Archives in Canberra. But before 1904:
So, after 1901 check both state and national archives.
Note that if records are held in one state, you cannot ask to see them in the reading room of another state but you might be able to order copies. Some records, like World War 1 service records, have already been digitised and can be freely viewed online.
For example, naturalisation records from 1904 are held at the National Archives in Canberra. But before 1904:
- Victorian naturalisation records are held at the National Archives in Canberra
- South Australian naturalisation records are held at the National Archives in Adelaide
- Other state naturalisation records are held at the relevant state archives.
So, after 1901 check both state and national archives.
Note that if records are held in one state, you cannot ask to see them in the reading room of another state but you might be able to order copies. Some records, like World War 1 service records, have already been digitised and can be freely viewed online.
Australian government archives
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National Archives of Australia
Territory Records Office Canberra New South Wales State Records Northern Territory Archives Service Queensland State Archives State Records of South Australia Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office Public Record Office Victoria State Records Office of Western Australia |
Australian family history records
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