Council of Australasian
Archives and Records Authorities  

1998 Australian Archival Statistics

Introduction

The Australian Council of Archives conducts an annual survey of all members, as well as some other institutions that have archives management programs, as part of the Council’s ongoing endeavour to maintain and make available a database of information about archives in Australia.

The statistical database is a valuable source of comparative information for individual Archives to make use of, and it provides data to support applications for funding to governments and other resource-allocating bodies. If you have ever wanted to know, for example, how institutions with similar-sized holdings fare in terms of staffing levels and funding, then the statistical database will be a vital tool.  The statistics for 1988 cover 46 archival institutions representing holdings of over 1,136,809 linear metres and an annual budget of over $247 million.

In 1996, the Council published a five year summary, Australian Archival Statistics 1991-95.  This year, in addition to the annual statistics, summary statistics for the period 1996-98 are being published on the Internet.  Together these summaries give a good picture of our industry over an eight year period.

This years survey form was the same as last year with the exception of the “uses of archives” section.  This section was introduced last year.  However, it proved difficult to define categories that were universally applicable.  Consequently the results were unreliable.  This year only two categories of use, business and research, have been nominated.  Because of these changes,  this section has not been included in the three year summary statistics.

The survey forms for 1998 were sent out in late February 1999.  Of the 68 forms despatched, 46 were completed and returned.  This represents a return rate of 68%, a slight decline on last years return rate of 71%.

My thanks to all those ACA members who have taken the time to complete the forms and to provide feedback.

Ms L McGregor
Convenor, Statistics Subcommittee

Contents

• National Archives

• State and Territory Archives

• Local Government 

• Universities

• Commercial and others

• Collecting Institutions