Public Record Office Victoria

Public Record Office Victoria Public Record Office Victoria is the archives of the State Government of Victoria.

We hold approximately 100kms of records from the mid 1830s to today, which we manage for use by the government and people of Victoria. The collection includes memories of events and decisions great and small that have shaped the history of the Colony and State of Victoria, as well as records of immigration and shipping, criminal trials and prisons, premiers and governors, royal commissions, boards

of inquiry, wills and probates and more. Established under the Public Records Act 1973, Public Record Office Victoria’s objectives as set out in the Act are to:

- issue standards regulating the creation, maintenance and security of public records including the selection and disposal of public records not worthy of preservation
- advise and assist agencies in achieving compliance with issued standards
- preserve public records of permanent value as the state archives
- ensure that the archives are accessible to the government and the people of Victoria. The Public Records Act 1973 also established the Public Records Advisory Council to advise the Minister on administration of the Act and to promote co-operation between Public Record Office Victoria and other government agencies. Public Record Office Victoria is an agency of the Department of Government Services.

01/09/2026

The Victorian Seniors Festival calendar is live! 🙌

Explore thousands of free and low-cost events across Victoria this October.

The festival's theme invites older people to Connect, Create, Celebrate.

🧡Connect or re-connect with your interests, skills and hobbies.
🎨Create your own path and remain curious as you age.
🎉 Celebrate positive ageing.

And you can do it with ease. Seniors Card holders can enjoy free public transport from 3 to 11 October 2026.

Find events near you at the Seniors Online website: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival

Or check Seniors Online to know which Coles, public library and neighbourhood house you can collect a guide from.

27/08/2026
Do you recognise these streets? A lot has changed since these photos were taken in Gardenvale circa 1920s-1930s. They we...
23/08/2026

Do you recognise these streets?

A lot has changed since these photos were taken in Gardenvale circa 1920s-1930s.

They were snapped by a Victorian Railways photographer travelling up Gardenvale Road to Martin Street. The photographer was likely tasked with photographing the railway bridges.

The photos reveal much about the area, capturing everything from political graffiti and advertising billboards to shop fronts and cars at the time.

You can explore these photographs in detail and even see the fanfare when the nearby station opened by searching ‘Gardenvale’ in our collection: https://go.vic.gov.au/4g6UxUf

21/08/2026
17/08/2026
Did you know at PROV we receive more than 10,000 orders for wills and probates every year?If you’re starting your family...
16/08/2026

Did you know at PROV we receive more than 10,000 orders for wills and probates every year?

If you’re starting your family history journey this Family History Month, wills and probates are a great place to start. They can reveal family relationships, occupations, residences, and other fascinating details that help bring your ancestors’ stories to life.

Start exploring wills and probates on our website: https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates

📜 Sarah Deborah Broyer's will VPRS 28 P3 Unit 4189.

For International Youth Day we reflect on the history of hands-on technical education in Victoria. Our 2022 Victorian A...
12/08/2026

For International Youth Day we reflect on the history of hands-on technical education in Victoria.

Our 2022 Victorian Archives Centre ‘Tech School’ exhibition is available online.

It features photographs from the state collection, video interviews and personal memories of Victoria’s tech schools from 1873 through to the 1990s.

From the Working Men’s College to the School of Mines and even Collingwood Tech.

Let’s take a look back…
https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/online-galleries-and-exhibitions/tech-school

📸 Collingwood Technical School boot making class, VPRS 14517/P1/42, P831.

Address

Victorian Archives Centre, 99 Shiel Street
North Melbourne, VIC
3051

Telephone

+61393485600

Website

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