Australian Defence Force

Use the correct title and style to refer to members of the armed services. This guidance is intended primarily for users outside the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force.

Use terminology correctly

Use the term ‘Defence’ when you mean both the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). ‘Defence’ is used to represent the organisation as a whole.

‘Defence’ has an initial capital when it is part of a formal name or title. Use lower case for generic references.

Royalty, vice-royalty and nobility

Royalty and representatives of the royal family should be addressed with their correct title.

Always capitalise the titles of current royals

Always use capitals for the title of the current Australian monarch.

The full title of the current monarch of Australia is ‘Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth’.

Diplomats

Use the correct term when referring to ambassadors, high commissioners, nuncios and other diplomatic staff.

Use the correct term when referring to diplomats

The title for diplomats depends on what they represent:

  • High commissioners represent Commonwealth countries.
  • Ambassadors represent non-Commonwealth countries.
  • Nuncios represent the Holy See, the governing body of the Roman Catholic Church.

Use initial capitals for the titles of high commissioners, ambassadors and nuncios

Use initial capitals when writing to ambassadors, high commissioners and nuncios.

Academics and professionals

Follow these rules to address and title academics and professionals correctly. The guidance focuses on academics, medical practitioners, dentists and veterinarians. Apply the rules when writing about individuals in other professions.

Use initial capitals for the titles of individual academics and professionals

The academic and professional titles held by individuals usually have initial capitals. This includes honorary titles.

Use lower case if you use a title generically.

Parliaments and councils

Refer to members of Australian parliaments and councils in the correct style. Follow these rules to address and title people correctly.

Capitalise the titles of the current prime minister and treasurer

Capitalise the titles of the current holders of the positions of:

  • Prime Minister
  • Treasurer.

Do this even when the titles are abbreviated.

If referencing prime ministers or treasurers generically, use lower case.

Measurement and units

Standard units of measurement support readability and accuracy. Express precise values for users by combining numerals with the correct unit symbol.

Use the standard units of measurement

Australia uses the metric system for most quantities:

Mathematical relationships

A mathematical relationship is the connection between sets of numbers or variables. In most content, the connection should be described in words. Only use symbols if there’s a user need. Code symbols correctly to ensure they are accessible.

Use words instead of symbols to improve accessibility

In most content, explain mathematical relationships using words instead of symbols.

Many people will understand simple operations written with symbols (1 + 1 = 2). But other mathematical relationships are hard to understand unless they are written in words. Symbols might not be available in every font set and the default settings of screen readers might not read all symbols.

Phrases

Phrases are groups of words that add meaning to a sentence. Write and punctuate them correctly to give people clear and useful information.

Phrases are groups of words with a specific function

A phrase is a group of words that makes sense on its own but doesn’t contain a subject and a verb.

Phrases can only add meaning to a sentence. They can’t stand on their own.

Types of phrases include:

Clauses

Clauses are building blocks: sentences can have one or more. When they’re well structured, clauses give people clear information.

Clauses contain at least one verb

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

A clause can be:

  • a main clause
  • a subordinate clause – noun, adjectival or adverbial.

A main clause can usually stand alone as a sentence, but a subordinate clause can’t.

A main clause can stand alone as a sentence

Every sentence has at least one main clause. The main clause is also known as:

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