Implementing Consistent User Experience
Common Navigation Elements & Legal Statements
The use of consistent branding, common utility (structural, not content specific) navigational elements, and a logical approach to the location of these elements within a page will begin to create a consistent interface, confirming for users that they are interacting with an Australian Government body.
The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) recommends that the following common utility navigation elements and legal statements be incorporated into all Australian Government websites within the gov.au domain.
The common utility navigation elements to include are: Home, About, Contact us and Search. These should be displayed at the head of each page.
There are a range of legal statements all government web sites should display, as part of their accountability and governance structure. These include a Privacy Statement, a Copyright Notice and Disclaimer. These should be displayed at the foot of each page.
These elements should appear on all pages.
Utility navigation elements and description
| Home | Links back to primary (home) page of the site. |
|---|---|
| About | Links to either information about the agency, or the product/program. To ensure accountability and transparency, users of each site should be able to determine who is responsible for the information presented on each site. |
| Contact us | Links to information to assist clients to contact the agency responsible for the resource (telephone and facsimile numbers, street and post office box addresses, e-mail address, etc.) as required in the Online Content Requirements. For product and program sites, this link can generate the facility to send e-mail or fill in an online feedback form. |
| Search | This will either be accompanied by a search box or provide a link to the site's search page. It may also incorporate an advanced search option. Search is one of the important elements of a site; it is helpful to users to be able to find information easily. |
| Privacy | This will link to the site's privacy statement. Further information about Privacy Statements is contained in Privacy and Privacy Statements. |
| Copyright | This will link to the site's copyright statement. Further information about Commonwealth copyright and wording of copyright notices is contained in Copyright and Copyright Notices. |
| Disclaimer | This will link to the site's disclaimer. Further information about disclaimers is contained in Disclaimers. |
Page Structure
All elements appearing on a page should present a clearly defined hierarchy of information, both in structure and presentation. This approach is essential in presenting content that is both visually appealing and structurally accessible.
A logically structured approach to page content
| Masthead | Contains the appropriate Design and site name. |
|---|---|
| Common navigation | Includes (but is not limited to): Home, About, Contact us and Search navigation links. This element should ideally be presented as an HTML list, incorporating a 'skip navigation' function to allow users to navigate to the next logical point in the page's structure. |
| Content | Contains the page's title, textual content and content-specific navigation. Content-specific navigation should ideally be presented as an HTML list, incorporating a 'skip navigation' function to allow users to navigate to the next logical point in the page's structure. |
| Foot | Includes (but is not limited to): Privacy, Copyright and Disclaimer navigation links. This element should ideally be presented as an HTML list. |
Placement of Elements
Ideally the following elements are to be incorporated into the masthead of all pages with the brand Design, site title or site specific logo (if required) and common navigation elements (Home, About, Contact us, Search).
The Australian Government branding Design is to be the most prominent element in the masthead (top left hand side). Secondary, in the hierarchy is the site title or site specific logo (if required). All elements must be legible.
The placement of other elements has a degree of flexibility. Ideally common navigational elements should be presented in the masthead, but in a manner that does not compromise the hierarchy of the Government Design.
Site specific navigation elements may also be incorporated into the masthead, but in a manner that does not compromise the hierarchy of the Design.
The elements can be presented in any colour, and on any colour of background - photographic or textural.
The following legal statements and navigational elements should be incorporated into the foot of all pages: Copyright, Disclaimer, Privacy. All elements must be legible.
The placement of these elements has a degree of flexibility. The elements can be presented in any colour, and on any colour of background - photographic or textural.
