Research data is always supported by other records, such as those documenting ethics committee processes, intellectual property rights, and research project administration and reporting.
The following guide outlines the minimum legal retention periods for research data and records.
These periods of retention have been determined by comparing retention periods required under the NSW State Records Act 1998 through the NSW State Archives & Records Authority’s General Retention and Disposal Authority ‐ Higher and Further Education Records (GA47) and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Where there is a conflict between retention periods from these authorities the longer retention period has been applied.
For more in-depth information about these retention requirements in relation to research, refer to the this complete Guide.
This information should be read in conjunction with the UNSW Research Code of Conduct, the UNSW Procedure for Handling Research Material and Data and UNSW guidance on records disposal.