AFDA publication notes
AFDA is available in a number of other formats
For more information see AFDA in alternative formats.
AFDA revision program
AFDA is currently under review. For more information see AFDA revision program.
When to use AFDA
To understand when to use the AFDA to sentence a record, ask yourself the question, 'Is this activity something that only my agency does, or is it something that most agencies do?' If the record documents a function that is core or unique to your agency, then you should use a more specific records authority. If the record documents an administrative activity that many agencies do, then the AFDA is likely to be an appropriate tool for sentencing your records.
Print and electronic versions
AFDA was first published in February 2000.
It was reprinted in August 2000 with minor revisions to the introduction and index. This included the replacement of the original first paragraph under the introductory section ‘Addition to and alteration of records over 25 years old’ (page 20) with the following:
In accordance with Section 26(2)(b) of the Archives Act 1983, this Authority authorises the addition of such registry annotations as file markings, re-classification stamps, additions of disposal classes used to sentence an item and similar markings to records over 25 years old located with the agency.
Functions, activities and classes remain unchanged between the original publication and the reprint.
Barcodes representing entry numbers were excluded from the reprint due to technical difficulties. Barcodes are included in the PDF version (February 2000) available online.
References to the Australian Standard
AFDA includes references to Australian Standard AS 4390 – 1996, Records Management. This Standard has been superseded by the Australian Standard for Records Management AS ISO 15489 – 2002 which is based on AS 4390. References to AS 4390 will be updated when AFDA is next reviewed.