Figure B1 provides an overview of Victoria's records management standards and their respective specifications.

Figure B1

Records management standards and specifications

We have professionally engaged with the Public Record Office Victoria, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Health and Human Services throughout the course of the audit. In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 we provided a copy of this report or relevant extracts to those agencies, and requested their submissions and comments.

Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows:

The Public Record Office Victoria's (PROV) records management standards set out how agencies must make and manage records, so they can be trusted as a true reflection of an agency's activities.

The standards cover all records in all formats, media and business systems, and consist of:

The Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is Victoria's primary authority on how to ensure that the evidence of government business is trustworthy—specifically, that it has integrity and is authentic, reliable and usable.

PROV is also responsible under the Public Records Act 1973 (the Act) for assisting agencies to meet the Act's requirements for effective records management programs.

A transparent and accountable government depends on the accessibility and reliability of its records. Effective records management requires a robust framework of legislation, centralised governance and oversight, monitoring, and disincentives for noncompliance.

There are four well‑documented barriers to achieving fully effective records management in Victoria:

1.1.1 Victoria's Public Records Act 1973

The Public Records Act 1973 (the Act) is the foundation of Victoria's legislative framework for managing government information. The Act regulates how government records must be captured and managed.

Many of Victoria's other laws—such as freedom of information, privacy and even the Audit Act 1994—can operate effectively only when agencies comply with the Act and manage their records effectively.

Good records management is the foundation of government accountability. In Victoria, accountability is enshrined in the Public Administration Act 2004, which requires public servants to submit themselves to appropriate scrutiny. This typically includes scrutiny of the records they make or receive in the course of their duties. These records are known as 'public records'.

Well-managed public records enable governments to make informed decisions, to deliver services, and to demonstrate performance, transparency and accountability.

Ordered to be published

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER MARCH 2017

PP No 249, Session 2014–17

This Appendix provides information about recent major changes within the public sector in relation to information technology (IT).