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The Archives of the Australian Museum are the records created by the Museum, or related records, that are preserved permanently because of their enduring value. The Australian Museum was founded in 1827, and the archives, which provide evidence of the history and development of the Museum, date from soon after. The earliest records held by the Archives include the Minutes of the Committee of Superintendence meetings (first meeting on 7 June 1836) and the Outward Letters books, which begin in 1837.

The Australian Museum Archives is primarily an in-house institutional archives, holding the Museum's own records. These unique records include manuscript and printed material, letters, minute books, files, financial ledgers, exhibition files, field diaries, research notes, photographs, maps, plans, drawings and illustrations, newscuttings, audio-visual material, and computer records.

As well as the Museum's own records, the Archives also holds some acquired papers of people who have worked at, or been associated with, the Museum. These include the papers of scientific staff and other people whose papers provide further information on the Museum's collections or research. Access to these acquired papers is in accordance with any conditions set by the donor.