On 1 July 1971, the Department of Foreign Affairs International Public Affairs Branch (formerly the Australian Overseas Information Service Pictorial Library) changed the method of classification of its black and white negatives/prints from a single number with an 'L' (Library) prefix (CRS A1200) to a daily single number without a prefix (CRS A6180). The change was initiated because the single number system had become too cumbersome and the new system was able to incorporate the age of the transparency.
 
The daily single number incorporated the day, month, year and a single number which starts from 1 each day.
 
The largest size of the negatives/prints is 10 x 13cm, although there is much variation in the smaller sizes. These negatives/prints are covered in protective plastic sleeves.
 
On the protective plastic sleeves are three labels:
 
  1. primary heading and number of negative/print;
  2. specific title of negative/print; and
  3. secondary heading.
 
The primary and secondary headings on the negatives/prints are entries in the subject index (A1201) which facilitates retrieval of the items. 

The negatives/prints cover a wide range of subjects and assignments on the political, economic and social life of all states of Australia; for example, agricultural shows, geographical sights, educational institutions and migrant activities.

The International Public Affairs Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade assumed control of this series following the abolition of CA 6785, Australian Overseas Information Service on 7 March 1994.