Tasmanian Government
LINC Tasmania
Tasmania's Heritage

Search Archives Collection

TAO is a searchable catalogue (or database) which provides descriptions of the Government and non-Government archival records held in TAHO, and functional and administrative contextual information about them, to help you evaluate what records might be relevant to your search.

The catalogue is structured in a hierarchical manner, providing links between different levels of documentation.

Select an option to search

  • Search by Function - a major area of responsibility, authority or jurisdiction assigned to or assumed by an agency. Functions derive from mandates usually given in legislation and they consitute the principal business for any agency. Functions are the activities of record creators that give rise to records.
  • Search by Series - a collective name for a group of records that have the same origin
  • Search by Item - single records such as files, volumes, photographs, plans etc. Here you will find:

  • The access restriction that will apply to the item 
  • The location of the item - HOB (Hobart), BER (Berriedale Repository), LAU (Launceston Manuscript Collection)
  • A microfilm reference if applicable
  • A link to the digitised copy of the item if available
  • A link to an advance request form to use items located at Berriedale or Hobart in the History Room
There are separate search modules for each of these elements and the Basic search is a facility to search across them all.

It is added to and modified on a continuing basis.

We strongly encourage first time users to consult the following instructions:

Related items

Tasmanian film and video database

Provides descriptive information about films and videos produced by or for Tasmanian government organisations and some private individuals.

Government Recordkeeping

Supporting the Tasmanian Government with records management guidelines and advice.

National Archives of Australia

Other items

Depositing organisational records

TAHO is the repository for all Tasmanian government records which are of permanent or long-term value, and the Office also collects records of community organisations, businesses, societies, and churches which operate in Tasmania.

Depositing private papers

TAHO collects records of individuals and families who have lived in Tasmania or contributed to Tasmanian life. We do this because letters, diaries, photos and other records give unique information about the heritage of Tasmania.