Endorse guidelines and standards
Ask your digital governance committee of senior executives to review, agree and endorse guidelines and standards.
Publish the guidelines and standards on your intranet to use throughout the content lifecycle. They will help teams to know what to do and what not to do.
Everyone should be clear about your agency’s expectations for using them and for consistent and quality content. You also send a clear message of accountability and ownership.
Guidelines and standards checklist
Review the types of guidance your agency needs to endorse. Use the guidance throughout the content lifecycle. This will help ensure your agency meets government standards.
Guidelines
These are the types of guidance to apply throughout the content lifecycle:
| Accessibility, inclusivity and diversity | Writing for accessibility and inclusivity. This helps content authors to know how to apply WCAG 2.0. |
| Branding and style guide | How your agency maintains its online brand values. Includes narrative, visuals and tone of voice. |
| Content strategy | Outlines the goals of your agency's content strategy. For example, reducing outdated content and producing content based on user needs |
| Style Manual | The Australian Government Style Manual helps Australian Government teams design simple, clear and fast content. |
| Search engine optimisation (SEO) | How to Writing for search engines. Help to help users find and understand your information. Why SEO strategy is important, how to apply a strategy, and drive better results. |
Standards
These are government standards you'll need to meet:
| Accessibility | How you make content available for everyone. This includes people from non-English speaking backgrounds. |
| Copyright | What you permit users to do with your information. |
| Digital Service Standard | Your agency must assess its services against the Digital Service Standard. This applies to any service designed or redesigned after 6 May 2016. |
| Domain names | How you manage the purchase, registration and use of internet domain names. |
| Freedom of Information | What you need to do to comply with the Freedom of Information Act |
| Language | How you ensure content is available for everyone. This includes people from non-English speaking backgrounds. |
| Privacy | How your agency collects and uses personal information. This must comply with the Privacy Act. |
| Records and information management | This refers to the process and the people involved in recording and removing content in a responsible way. |
| Security | What security measures are in place for your online information? |
| Social media | Social media standards of use for employees. To apply when they engage in conversations or interact for official, professional or personal use. |
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