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Digital images, audio and video

Discover your recordkeeping requirements when capturing, managing, preserving, storing and destroying images, audio and video.

Find out how to manage images, audio or video captured for surveillance and monitoring purposes.

Which records to capture

As with other formats, you must capture records that document a decision or action taken, or records that are created, received or kept for other business and community requirements.

You don't need to capture records that are purely personal or transitory (e.g. copies, drafts).

Consider:

  • which images or recordings provide the best evidence or best serve the business purpose–you should only capture those that provide the best evidence of business activity
  • if images relate to or enhance existing collections
  • if capturing the images adds value–they may be available elsewhere or the resolution/quality may be too low to be useful.

How to capture

First, transfer images or recordings you need to keep from the device. You will need to complete these steps:

  • save a 'master copy' as your record
  • create working copies for other business requirements, particularly if enhancements or alterations of the original image are required (e.g. compression, filtering, cropping)
  • save as much context as you can about the image or video as part of the metadata (basic metadata like file size and date taken will be automatically captured)–additional metadata should include a meaningful title and description (e.g. who or what is featured, what the image or video is documenting, and how this relates to customers)
  • save the file in an accessible format
  • use policy and procedures to detail how saved images should be named, used and stored (including security).

Resolution for images and digitised documents

If necessary, choose the most appropriate resolution and bit depth for images and digitised records based on:

  • the level of detail included in the image or document (e.g. photo of general landscape vs specific details, text document vs text and images)
  • the nature of the document or image (e.g. image, document, black and white vs colour)
  • how the image or document will be used and accessed
  • the purpose of the image or document (e.g. publication, website, evidence of business activity)
  • storage requirements and restrictions (e.g. file sizes, storage media, file format)
  • if colours need to be captured accurately (e.g. where colour forms part of the record vs colour header on a digitised document)

Note: You can't increase resolution and bit depth beyond what was used when it was captured.

File size should not be the sole determinant of the resolution, bit depth or any other technical specifications.

See the recommended technical specifications for long-term storage and preservation .

Editing: Primary, original and working versions

When extracting footage and images from the original device, there is a distinction between primary, original and working images.

Primary version

Primary versions are the image, file or recording on the device itself. The primary version must be exported in its native format without compression or alterations.

Original version

Original versions are the 'master', and the official record. Their integrity must be maintained for the required retention period.

Originals are preserved as exact copies of the primary, with appropriate audit trails. They should not be subjected to processes that cause permanent alteration.

The original version can be at the highest required quality for preservation and quality purposes, and to maintain the authenticity and completeness of the record. A working version can then be created for general use.

Working version

Working versions are copies of the primary or original. Working versions are created if enhancements or alterations of the primary or original are required (e.g. compression, filtering, cropping).

Working versions can also be used for general use, especially if original versions are higher resolution or quality and therefore larger files.

A working version can be lower quality, compressed, a different file type, or a smaller file size.

The potential quality of working versions will depend on the quality of the primary version.

You may also need procedures and processes in place for what edits are allowed and when. This will help ensure the authenticity and completeness of the records is not at risk of being challenged.

If working versions are created, consider how the primary and working versions will be stored and managed, including system requirements. You may need to ensure the system is capable of managing multiple copies or versions.

Consider also how you will ensure the primary remains the official public record and not the working versions.

Management and storage

Once images and recordings have been captured, they must be managed and preserved for their retention period.

Digital images, audio and video must be:

  • stored securely and in appropriate storage media
  • preserved so they remain accessible and usable for as long as they must be kept
  • in a format suitable for their use and retention period
  • fit for purpose–content is clear, appropriate resolution and quality, file size, accessibility.

Create a working copy if images are to be edited, made publicly available or used on websites or social media.

It is recommended that agencies avoid storing records in a proprietary, non-standard format.

You can include information about the management of images, audio and videos in your agency's policies and procedures, especially if they are captured by staff in the field to document or provide evidence of business activities.

Find out about managing records created and stored on mobile and smart devices.

Copyright, security and privacy

Copyright

You should apply appropriate licences when making images available. Each licence provides a range of options with increasing levels of restriction.

Moral rights

Moral rights relate to the author's or creator's right to be attributed or acknowledged as the creator or author.

Moral rights cannot be transferred, however they can be waived.

Find out more about moral rights.

Watermarks

A watermark can be used to reduce misuse or unauthorised distribution of images, or include copyright information or branding with an image.

Watermarks can obscure image content and degrade the image when layered on top.

Watermarks should only be applied to working versions, not to the original version that is to be kept as the official record.

Electronic or invisible watermarks can be used as an alternative to visible watermarks.

Alternatively, control the use of the image by creating working copies and limiting the quality and size, or use digital rights management technology to restrict how the image can be used and modified.

Privacy

Images and video may contain personal information if the identity of the individual captured is apparent or can be reasonably ascertained.

The Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland provides guidelines on the Information Privacy Principles relating to the disclosure of personal information, including photographs.

When taking photos or video, you may need provide a collection notice or ask people to fill out a photo consent form.

Check if your agency or parent department has additional requirements–this may depend on the purpose of the photo or video.

Any records containing personal information should be stored securely and have appropriate access controls in place.

Find out more about the collection of information under the Information Privacy Act 2009, the Information Privacy Principles, and National Privacy Principle 1 .

How long to keep them

Retention periods for images, audio and video will depend on why they are needed.

Images, audio and video that document or provide evidence of a business activity, or are used as part of a specific business activity, should be sentenced using the record class under which all records documenting that activity would be sentenced.

If images are used for multiple business activities and therefore multiple record classes apply, they should be kept for the longest applicable retention period.

Photo consent forms can be sentenced using the General Retention and Disposal Schedule.

Find out how to destroy records or transfer records to QSA.

Legal obligations

All public records must be managed according to the Public Records Act 2002, Information Privacy Act 2009 and the Right to Information Act 2009.

Certain digital images may be subject to other legislation specific to your agency as well as the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). You need to be aware of other legislation and requirements that apply to images captured by your agency (e.g. Corrective Services Act 2006, Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 , Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995).

More information

Find out more about capturing and managing digital images, audio and video:

Contact the Government Recordkeeping team

Last updated:
9 July 2021