Requirements (Must haves)

When starting any communications or marketing project, there are some key principles and legislative requirements that must be considered and applied to all Tasmanian Government communications:

Legal requirements

The Tasmanian Government has a responsibility to ensure information about its policies, programs and services is readily available and in accessible formats.

In addition to legal obligations, information produced must be catalogued, easily retrievable, secure and maintained.

The public has a right to request Tasmanian Government information and the Tasmanian Government is legally obliged to ensure the information it produces is readily available. To do this, there are formal processes that must be complied with.

Important legislation:

Additional requirements

Tasmanian Government agencies must:

  • maintain a register or record of all publications (including digital publications such as electronic direct mail) for publishing each year in their annual reports or made available on each agency’s website
  • archive or record website content before it is retired or removed
  • maintain a current, comprehensive, and well-structured identification or classification records system that provides an effective means for organising, locating and retrieving published information
  • ensure all publications feature:
    • contact details for the originating agency and unit so questions, comments, feedback, requests for information or complaints can be received and dealt with promptly by the responsible people
    • acknowledgement of copyright
    • the title of the publication
    • the date of publication
  • ensure information about an agency's mission, structure, programs, and services is publicly accessible through the agency’s website or www.tas.gov.au
  • provide one copy of a publication to Libraries Tasmania within one month of its publication, as in the Libraries Act 1984
  • within one month of its publication, deliver one copy of the publication to the National Library of Australia under the legal deposit provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). This includes depositing copies of all electronic publications in the National edeposit (NED).
Recommendations

It is recommended that, where applicable, agencies include the following in publications:

  • authoring names (the name of the department, not the names of employees)
  • volume/issue number and International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or International Standard Series Number (ISSN).

Check with your agency’s communications manager if you have any questions.

Summary of relevant legislation

Legislation referenced in the Tasmanian Government Corporate Brand Identity and Communications Policy includes: