Subject Search Guides
About Public Record Office Victoria
Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is the archive of State and Local Governments in Victoria. We hold over 100 km of digital and physical records from 1836 to the present day. Many records are accessible to the public either online or for viewing in our Reading Rooms. PROV also sets mandatory recordkeeping standards for state and local government agencies and provides advice on recordkeeping to government.
Celebrating 50 years
The 17th of April 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Public Records Act 1973 and establishment of Public Record Office Victoria as the State Archives.
Look history in the eye
In this award-winning podcast series by Public Record Office Victoria we interview the people who delve into public archives and uncover interesting truths about Melbourne and Victoria's past. Hear about the amazing monuments that were never built, Victoria's queer history, Pentridge Prison escapes, how Melbourne went from deadtown to musictown and more!
Moorabbin Hospital records 1948-2011
Records recently added to our collection include more than one hundred records from Moorabbin Hospital transferred to us from Monash Health including Annual Reports, newsletters and photographs among other fascinating records dating back to 1948.
Researching teacher and author Olga Ernst
"While I accepted the anecdotes relayed to me as truth, I was aware that bias, time, memory and even retellings may change any narrative or family story..." On our blog, Robyn Floyd discusses the value of PROV's primary sources to confirm first person memory and flesh out details such as dates, locations and perspectives. Anyone with a teacher in their family tree will find this article particularly enlightening.
Delve into the archives
Stay up to date with the latest records and interesting stories uncovered from the collection. This blog will offer you a snapshot into the world of historical research featuring the extraordinary tales of Victorian people captured within Victorian Government archives.
Records management
Personal information is at risk when agencies do not have an effective disposal program in place and continue to hold public records for longer than the required minimum legal retention period. See our advice for managing personal information in records.
Visit us
Monday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm and every second and last Saturday of the month. Closed public holidays. Visit
Upcoming closures: Friday 29 September, Tuesday 7 November, closed for Christmas/New Year period from Monday 25 December reopening 10am Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Monday to Thursday 10am to 4:30pm. Closed public holidays. Visit
Upcoming closures: Tuesday 7 November, closing Thursday 21 December at 4pm, reopening 10am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 4pm. Closed public holidays. Visit
Upcoming closures: Wednesday 1 November, Wednesday 27 December and Thursday 28 December 2023.
Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Closed weekends, Mondays and public holidays. Visit
What's On
An evening of mystery in the Eastern Arcade
Collective City
