Main Content
Retention and Disposal Schedules (R&D)
What is a Retention and Disposal Schedule?
"A Retention and Disposal (R&D) schedule is a range of processes associated with the authorised retention and disposal of records based upon the value of the records to the organisation, legislation and organisational accountability and community expectations. It is a systematic listing of RECORDS SERIES created by an organisation, which plans the life of these records from the time of their creation to their disposal, either by destruction or transfer to archives."
Gail E Murphy, Information Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd.
A retention and disposal schedule should reflect the classification applied to the records. The supporting notes and guidelines should clearly outline the organisation’s need for access as well as the legislative requirement for the retention and protection of the records. Schedules and guidelines will detail the format, location and period of retention as well as the need for duplication in the case of vital records.
The purpose a Retention and Disposal Schedule is:
. To destroy records which are no longer useful to the organisation or which may be a commercial burden to the organisation to retain.
. To ensure that records required for operational, legislative or legal purposes are retained for the appropriate period of time.
. To identify and preserve records which may be of historical or evidential importance.
Why do you need to develop a Retention and Disposal Schedule?
. To fulfill the objectives of a retention and disposal programme.
. To ensure consistency across departments and organisations.
. To fulfill requirements of the State Records Act 2000 if you belong to a public sector agency.
Information Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd (IEA) owns and publishes the Australian Record Retention Manual (ARRM) which was developed for the private sector. Sample pages are provided for your information. The ARRM includes a Retention and Disposal Schedule for administrative records which you can use as the basis for creating your own Retention and Disposal (R&D) Schedule.
If you would like more information on creating a Retention and Disposal (R&D) Schedule for your organisation please contact our offices on 08 9335 2533 or email consulting@iea.com.au.
Tags: Records Management Consulting Perth | RM | RIM | Consulting Services | Information Management | Records Management Consultants Perth | Library Management Consultants | Records Management Reviews | Records Management Audits | Western Australia | WA | Records Management Consultancy | Information Management Consulting | Australian Record Retention Manual | ARRM | Retention and Disposal of Business Records | Retention and Disposal Schedule | R&D Schedule
