The chief of the National Archives of Australia says public servants should keep records of WhatsApp conversations with ministers.

Archives' director-general David Fricker says he has “absolute certainty” that ministers and their advisers communicate with bureaucrats through WhatsApp or other encrypted messaging services. But, he says, his agency has not received any records of such conversations from the public service for storage. 

This means some crucial conversations about government and policy will be closed to scrutiny, keeping deliberations and public service advice off the historical record.

The archives act prevents public servants from destroying Commonwealth records, but does not cover encrypted messages - which are property of the messaging services - unless there is a screenshot.

Mr Fricker says he wants to send a “clear message” to federal bureaucrats to record their encrypted conversations about government business, or otherwise not use the services. 

He said the legislation should be amended to include a “more 21st century definition” of Commonwealth records that includes encrypted messages.

“It is a pressing issue for us. The increasing use of third party, non-government, non-Australian platforms for the Commonwealth government's business does present a challenge,” he said. 

The National Archives is discussing changes with the Attorney-General's office, including a new definition covering Commonwealth records.