Archive Specialists in Australia
The History Company helps organisations turn complex archiving rules into clear, working systems. From compliance to conservation, we make sure your records are protected, discoverable, and built to last.
Making Sense of Archiving
Every organisation knows archiving is required — but most aren’t sure how to do it properly. Which records must be kept? For how long? What can be safely destroyed? And how should paper and digital files fit together?
We provide a practical pathway that answers all of those questions. With clear retention schedules, structured access, and documentation aligned to your state’s disposal authority and AS ISO 15489, the recognised records management standard in Australia, you’ll have a dependable system you can trust. No jargon. No guesswork.
Who We Work With
Our clients all share the same challenge: they know they need an archive, they just don’t know how to build one that works.
Enterprises & Organisations
We keep businesses audit-ready with schedules, access systems, and preservation practices that protect intellectual property and reduce compliance risk.
Schools & Education
From student files to alumni archives, we align with Department of Education and PROV policies so schools stay compliant and safeguard their history.
Churches & Religious Orders
We care for sacramental registers, parish minutes, and heritage collections with respectful, standards-based practices that preserve community memory.
Associations & Not-for-Profits
We design volunteer-friendly systems that protect governance records, preserve community history, and support smooth leadership transitions.
Estates & Private Collections
We conserve family papers, legal documents, and personal collections so they remain secure, accessible, and able to be handed down.
How We Work
Getting started is simple. We begin with a short briefing to understand your goals and current records. From there we prepare a tailored plan, mapped to Australian standards and your state’s rules.
Implementation may include arranging physical files, setting up retention and disposal, digitising where appropriate, or building metadata so records can be found quickly. And because archives are not “set and forget,” we offer ongoing reviews to keep your system up to date and effective.
Why The History Company
We started The History Company because too many Australian organisations were struggling with archives that were incomplete, unsafe, or misunderstood. Leaders would say: “We know we need to archive, but we don’t know how to do it properly.”
With decades of experience in records management, digitisation, and preservation, we’ve supported organisations across Australia — from schools in Melbourne to associations in Sydney and families in regional towns. Over the years, we’ve helped schools pass audits, associations safeguard governance records, and families protect irreplaceable collections.
Clients trust us because we make a complex requirement simple, and deliver systems that work in practice, not just on paper.
FAQs
So… what does an archivist actually do?
We take scattered records — boxes, files, drives — and turn them into something organised and reliable. That includes deciding what to keep, what to dispose of, and how to make the rest safe and discoverable.
Isn’t archiving just the same as records management?
Not quite. Records management deals with active, day-to-day documents. Archiving takes over when records are no longer in daily use but still carry legal, historical, or cultural importance.
How long do we really need to keep records?
Yes. We follow the standards set by the National Archives and state authorities so your records are reliable, compliant, and built to last.
Do you work to official standards?
Yes. We follow the standards set by the National Archives and state authorities so your records are reliable, compliant, and built to last.
Our files are a mess — can you still help?
Absolutely. Most of our clients start with mixed boxes, old scans, and scattered folders. We sort it out, fill in the gaps, and create a system that works from day one.
Will you set up retention schedules for us?
Yes. We create retention schedules tailored to your state’s rules so you’re never left second-guessing.
What happens if some records are damaged?
We assess their condition and, where possible, stabilise or digitise them to prevent further loss. Even fragile items can usually be preserved with the right care.
Can you manage confidential or sensitive material?
Yes. We follow strict Australian privacy and data standards to ensure sensitive records remain secure and access is controlled.
