Normal Administrative Practice (NAP)

NAP provides for the destruction without the need for further approval, of records that are ephemeral or facilitative, do not have continuing value and so can be destroyed.

These records, that may be destroyed without the need for further approval, include those that are:

Drafts

Any version prior to the final version of a record that does not document significant decisions, discussions, reasons and actions or any significant information that is not contained in the final captured version of the record.

Working papers and records

Papers, background notes and reference materials that are used to prepare or complete other record that do not document significant decisions, discussions, reasons and actions or contain significant information that is not contained in the final version of the record

Duplicates

Copies of records that have already been captured within a recordkeeping system and that are generally held only for reference purposes.

Solicited and unsolicited advertising material (Including junk mail and spam)

Any records that hold continuing value to the University, being those that have administrative, business, fiscal, legal, evidential or historic value should not be destroyed using NAP.

Tape backups  

Tape backups are considered to be facilitative records only. The NSW State Records Authority specifically advises against backups being relied upon as official records of business. They should be destroyed when no longer required under the provisions of Normal Administrative Practice (NAP) with no additional steps required.  

Have a question?

Contact the Records Team on 02 9385 2861 or email records@unsw.edu.au / Contact the Archives Team on 02 9385 2906 or email archives@unsw.edu.au

View the Online Archives Search