Document Destruction Requirements for Government Agencies

Government Records: Enhanced Requirements

Government agencies at all levels—local, state, and federal—operate under specific records management frameworks. Document destruction must comply with these requirements alongside general privacy obligations.

State Records Act Requirements

Western Australian Requirements:

The State Records Act 2000 governs WA Government agencies:

• Records must not be destroyed without authorisation
• General Disposal Authorities prescribe retention periods
• State Records Office approval for destruction schedules
• Audit trail requirements for all disposals

Local Government

Local Government Act 1995:

Councils must maintain records according to State Records requirements plus:

• Council meeting records: Permanent
• Financial records: 7 years minimum
• Correspondence: As per disposal authority
• Development applications: Often permanent

Federal Agencies

Archives Act 1983:

Commonwealth agencies must:

• Follow National Archives disposal authorities
• Seek approval before destruction
• Maintain destruction documentation
• Transfer permanent records to Archives

What Cannot Be Destroyed

Protected Categories:

• Cabinet documents
• Royal Commission evidence
• Documents subject to litigation hold
• Records under investigation
• Items identified as State archives

Approved Destruction Methods

Government agencies must use:

• NAID certified providers
• Documented chain of custody
• Cross-cut shredding (minimum DIN Level 3)
• Certificates of destruction

Documentation Requirements

Before Destruction:

• Authorisation from records manager
• Verification against retention schedule
• Legal hold check
• Documentation of items for destruction

After Destruction:

• Certificate of destruction
• Retention for audit purposes
• Update to records inventory
• Compliance reporting

WEST SHRED Government Services

We understand government requirements:

• NAID AAA Certification
• Compliance with State Records requirements
• Secure chain of custody documentation
• Detailed destruction certificates
• Audit-ready record keeping
• Security cleared personnel available