The University Archives holds permanent UNSW records that are retained because they are valuable for legal, administrative or historical reasons. In addition to UNSW’s own institutional records, the Archives also holds records from organisations or prominent people who have been associated with UNSW.

The Archives include the official administrative records of the university and private records of former officers, university-related organisations, such as clubs and societies, as well as oral histories, photographs and audio-visual recordings. Resources in the Archives have been used for UNSW event publicity, alumni reunions, school and faculty histories, biographies, exhibitions, student assignments and much more.

They also have a range of reference material available for consultation in their Reading Room.