Why plain language legislation in Australia is the missing piece
Plain language has come a long way. What was once seen as a “nice to have” is now widely recognised as essential for accessibility, trust and good governance.
Internationally, we’re seeing a clear shift: from encouraging plain language to requiring it.
Plain language legislation overseas
Two jurisdictions currently show what plain language legislation can look like in practice:
United States
In the United States, plain language is not just best practice; it’s the law.
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to use “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.” It applies to public-facing documents such as forms, notices, guidance and websites, and it obliges agencies to:
Write in plain language
Train staff in plain writing
Report publicly on their compliance
The aim is simple but powerful: people should be able to understand government information without needing a lawyer, specialist or insider knowledge.
More recently, this commitment has been reinforced by legislation such as the Plain Language in Contracting Act, which requires that government contracts, particularly those involving small businesses, be written in plain language.
Together, these laws recognise that complex language is not neutral; it creates real barriers to participation, fairness and trust.
New Zealand
New Zealand has taken an even more explicit legislative approach.
The Plain Language Act 2022 requires government agencies to use plain language when communicating with the public. Under the Act, information must be:
Clear
Concise
Well organised
Appropriate to the intended audience
Crucially, the Act establishes accountability. Agencies are expected to assess their communication, report on their use of plain language and continuously improve. This moves plain language out of the realm of personal preference and into organisational responsibility.
New Zealand’s approach recognises that clear communication is fundamental to democratic participation. People cannot exercise their rights, meet obligations or engage with the government if they cannot understand what is being asked of them.
Why legislation matters
Plain language legislation does more than nudge. It:
Creates consistency: clear expectations for communicators across agencies
Builds trust: when people can understand what affects them, confidence increases
Enables access: equal access to services, rights, and information for everyone
Reduces costs: fewer misunderstandings, grievances, complaints and rework
Supports accountability: when clarity is mandated, performance can be measured
In other words, policy with teeth leads to communication that works.
Why Australia needs plain language legislation
Australia has pockets of excellent practice and strong advocates driving improvements. But without legislative backing:
It’s voluntary, not assured
Practice varies across agencies
“Professional preference” wins over accessibility
Implementation is uneven and inconsistent
We know that Australians read and write at around a year 8 level. This is not a reflection of ability; it’s a reflection of diversity in society.
When information is written above that level, large parts of the population are unintentionally excluded. Clear communication should not be dependent on the goodwill of writers. It should be a standard, expected and measurable outcome.
What’s next
Legislation won’t solve everything on its own: culture change, leadership buy-in and capacity building are essential. But laws can accelerate momentum, clarify expectations and make clear communication a recognised right, not an optional extra.
We’re eager to continue this conversation with policymakers, public servants, organisations and advocates who believe that clarity should be standard.
If you’re interested in learning more about plain language legislation or want to explore how your organisation can get ahead with best practice, let’s talk.
Connect with us or email info@plainlanguagematters.org
