Information, Records, Archives

The Australian Society of Archivists Inc. (ASA) is Australia's peak professional body for archivists and records managers. We advocate on behalf of archivists, and the archival and records management profession, and seek to promote the value of archives and records as well as support best practice standards and services.

Please note that the ASA is a not for profit organisation and only holds records that pertain directly to the Society.

Objects of the Society

In order to achieve its objects, the Society will: 

1. Inform, engage and support its members; 
2. Provide and facilitate education and training for archivists and recordkeeping practitioners; 
3. Establish and maintain archival and recordkeeping professional standards; Promote and advance the value and understanding of archives and records in society; 
4. Govern and manage the Society well; and 
5. do anything ancillary or incidental to achieve its main objects.  

Mission, Goals and Values

ASA Mission

The Australian Society of Archivists advocates for and supports archives, archivists and recordkeeping in Australia by providing leadership, creating current, relevant, accessible member services, and promoting the diversity and value of archives and archivists. 

Read The Archivist's Mission approved at the Council meeting on 26-27 July 1996.

Goals

In order to achieve our Mission, we will:

• Govern and manage the organisation well
• Inform, engage and support our members
• Promote the value of archives and records in society
• Provide and facilitate education and training for archivists and recordkeepers
• Establish and maintain archival and recordkeeping professional standards.

Values

The ASA values:

• an open, inclusive and diverse archival profession
• efficient management of records as evidence, memory and history of our democracy, business, and cultures
• social and organisational accountability through preservation, availability and use of records and archives
• research into archival and recordkeeping theory and practice, including digital recordkeeping, to stay ahead in a digital and disruptive society
• standards of recordkeeping and archival education, practice and conduct.

ASA Strategic Priorities 2020-2025

1. Sustainability: support member services with appropriate staffing and systems.
   We recognise the need to diversify the income stream through online learning, publications, sponsorship and training opportunities to ensure we can deliver quality member benefits and ongoing initiatives that support the archival profession. The ASA business model will prioritise ethical and informed decisions particularly with regard to limiting our impact on climate change.
2. Mentoring: foster new and emerging professionals. We will provide scholarships, awards, programs and funds to recognise and support the renewal and diversification of our membership; create ways to make opportunities more accessible, and foster new and existing special interest groups.
3. Advocacy: strength in alliances.
   We will lead the profession and Australian archivists on the local, national and international stage through advocacy, partnerships and communication opportunities, as well as honouring our long-standing members as we work towards the 50th Anniversary of the ASA in 2025.
4. Continuing Education: building professional capabilities. We will foster and build professionalisation through the accreditation of higher education courses, and continue the development of new training and educational opportunities through online learning courses, workshops and publications.
5. Professional Standards: skills, knowledge and experience. We will promote the importance of professional standards and capabilities in our work and professional recognition of our membership in order to foster relevant and strong archival skills and knowledge. We will review the management of our Journal Archives & Manuscripts and publish a fourth edition of Keeping Archives.