ARCHIVES

Introduction

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Archives aim to ensure that valuable Bank records are preserved for both official and public use. Records held in the Archives document the Bank's corporate memory and include information on our origins, functions and operations.

The Bank's records generally date from its foundation in 1912 (as the Commonwealth Bank of Australia) and include material on:

• central banking
• the economy and monetary policy
• financial markets
• financial system surveillance
• banking and note design/printing/issue functions (some of which are displayed in our Museum)
• stamp design/printing

The Archives are in a variety of media and formats which include files, volumes, an extensive photographic collection, audio/video tapes, films, plans, posters, note and stamp printing items. The Archives also has a collection of records of savings banks that amalgamated with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, dating from 1832.

Access Policy

The RBA's general policy is that records created by the Bank are open to the public 15 years from the date of their creation. The RBA also complies with the provisions of the Archives Act 1983.

Entry to the Archives is by appointment only. Researchers must complete an Application for Registration as a Public User prior to visiting the Archives. The Bank's Archivist can be contacted on:

Phone: +61 2 9551 9762 or +61 2 9551 9765
Fax:     +61 2 9551 8000
E-mail: archives@rba.gov.au

Alternatively, written enquiries may be directed to:

The Manager
Document Management Division
Information Department
Reserve Bank of Australia
GPO Box 3947
SYDNEY NSW 2001

After receiving a request via a completed on-line application form or written application to the Bank, the RBA Archives staff assess whether there is appropriate material to meet the request.

If so, the researcher is contacted to arrange a time to visit the Archives. Generally, the RBA Archives are available for study between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm on weekdays, excluding Public and NSW Bank holidays. They are located in its Head Office at 65 Martin Place, Sydney (map of area). The building is easily accessible by either bus (closest, Macquarie & Elizabeth Streets) or train (closest, Martin Place Station).

RBA Archives staff act as intermediaries between researchers and the records, locating and providing records as appropriate and supervising the use of the records. An archival research room is provided within the Bank's Information Department.

Links to Other Australian Archives Sites

Archives of Australia

Directory of Archives in Australia (ASA)

National Archives of Australia