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Standards for accessible content

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The standards that all Victorian Government staff must follow or adhere to are:

Victorian Government style guide

The Victorian Government has a style guide to make sure all departments write and create content in the same way. The Victorian Government style guide sets out the way we speak with our audience including:

The Victorian Government style guide mostly follows the Australian Government Style Manual. It also provides guidance on common style queries unique to the Victoria Government.

All activities listed under the ‘scope’ section must be created according to the style guide.

Sticking to the style guide means our content will be consistent. This means people will know what to expect from us.

Plain language standard

Plain language is a system of writing that is clear, direct and easy to understand. It has no ambiguity or unnecessarily difficult words. Writing in this way makes it easier for everyone to understand. This is especially important for:

The International Organization for Standardization published the international plain language standard (ISO 24495-1:2023) in June 2023.

All Victorian Public Service and Special bodies will adopt the international plain language standard. This means all content must meet the plain language rules set out in the standard.

The standard only applies to printed or digital information in text form. However, creators of other types of communication (podcasts and videos) will find the standard useful.

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All information must be below a readability level of Year 8, as far as practically possible.

Some content may be technical and therefore hard to achieve a readability level of Year 8. In this instance, you can remove technical terms and then check the readability level.

There are tools available that measure readability. Free tools available include:

Plain language is different from Easy Read. Easy Read uses further simplified language and layout, in combination with images or symbols. It is a format created for people who are not familiar with English, or who have low literacy, or those with a learning or intellectual disability. The Australian Government Style Manual gives a good overview of Easy Read.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The WCAG guidelines are the most used guidelines for accessible web development. They make digital content universally accessible.

There are three levels of WCAG:

In Victoria, all digital content and websites must, at a minimum, meet the current WCAG version Level AA. As of January 2025, this is WCAG 2.2. We encourage people to aim for Level AAA where possible

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Some departments can only add to, remove or edit the on-page content. The site-wide design and functionality are the responsibility of the single digital presence team at the Department of Government Services.

If you have a suggestion about how the functionality or site-wide design could be made more accessible contact the Department of Government Services single digital presence team.

For departments and agencies not using single digital presence, contact your department digital, communications or IT teams.

There are site analysis and improvement tools to help monitor and maintain website accessibility standards. Some of the tools available include Acquia Optimize (formerly Monsido) and Siteimprove.

Every department and agency should consider using a site analysis and improvement tool.

This policy and the requirement to meet the current WCAG version Level AA extends to all suppliers and vendors developing digital materials for a Victoria Public Sector or Special body.

It is the responsibility of staff to ensure contracts include this requirement for deliverables and that the final products are compliant.

Brand

All Victorian Government communication and advertising must follow the guidelines set out in Brand Victoria.

Brand Victoria is the look and feel (graphics, typography and navigation) for the Victorian Government. If you produce anything for the State Government of Victoria – including an agency or statutory body – you must follow these brand guidelines.

It provides an overview of how the combination of brand elements has an important role in accessibility. It also has detailed information on the accessibility colour palette, with recommended font sizes.

By following the Brand Victoria guidelines and picking colours from the approved palette and themes you can ensure content will be ‘accessible by design’.

Updated 27 August 2025

Victorian Government accessible communications policydocx657.28 KB

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