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Web Content Management (Individual)

Definition

Web Content Management refers to the process of creating, managing, delivering, hosting, and publishing static digital content, generally as a public-facing website. The content may include text, documents, images, video, audio, and other digital assets related to government information.

Examples of web content solutions include most Commonwealth entities’ informational services, such as government agency websites. Further solutions can include digital kiosks, knowledge bases, access points, and non-government websites.

This capability does not extend to dynamic, secure, transactional, personalised content as covered in Digital Portal.

This capability does not include internal document management services and intranets; these are covered in Knowledge Management.

Purpose

Managing and presenting content effectively is essential for government operations to communicate information and services. 

Web content management is realised through:

  • planning, creation, delivery, and governance of government content
  • easy navigation and consolidated reference points for users accessing services
  • self-service usage of government informational websites to resolve issues without the need for face-to-face contact
  • a consistent and standardised presentation of content to enhance user trust and confidence when engaging with government information.

Objectives

The objectives of this Australian Government Architecture (AGA) content are to:

  • reduce standalone and inconsistent content creation hosting and publishing related applications, supporting tools and platforms
  • standardise the user experience across government
  • provide digital content and underpinning technology that is inclusive and accessible
  • reduce maintenance cost and effort across the government
  • ensure consistent management and delivery of government information through digital channels
  • provide a more consistent digital experience across government through consolidated and more user-focused channels.

Whole-of-government applicability

The Data and Digital Government Strategy (DDGS) sets a vision for 2030 to deliver simple, secure and connected public services for all people and business, through world class data and digital capabilities. 

Suitable handing of web content management as a capability supports the DDGS missions of:

  • Deliver for all people and business: By embedding accessibility and inclusion into how government designs and manages web-content, to ensure people and businesses needs are served.
  • Provide simple and seamless services: By integrating technology, data, and analytics to offer simple, inclusive, and accessible services. By adopting a ‘digital by design’ approach to provide proactive engagement and support in using government digital platforms. 

Policy Elements

Policy:
POL1
Web Content Management policy Mandate:
Endorsed
Status:
Core
  • Comply with legislation and regulation

    An entity must comply with any legislation relevant to its circumstances.

  • Align to guidelines and standards

    All Commonwealth entities must comply with any mandatory frameworks, policies, and standards applicable to their situation, throughout web content management solution design, development, and deployment processes, and regarding the content hosted.

  • Strategically deliver informational services on digital channels

    Prioritising a digital-first approach and ensuring accessibility and inclusion considerations are front of mind, delivers efficiency and effectiveness of government information hosting. A channel strategy that identifies and delineates content over digital channels will ensure consistency across an organisation.

  • Develop a content strategy

    A content strategy sets the foundation for the creation, structure, and governance of content for each digital channel.

  • Align business, operational, and technological needs

    Analysing business functional needs, and developing a comprehensive set of technology, service, and compliance requirements, will ensures procurement and deployment of a fit-for-purpose content management systems.

  • Prioritise and enable integration and interoperability

    The designing and building of new digital services to be able to integrate with primary digital access points such as myGov, and to interoperate with other governmental services and be scalable and maintainable, will ensure services are aligned to the “simple and seamless services” mission of the Data and Digital Government Strategy.

  • Consider onboarding to GovCMS

    GovCMS is a government content management system and web hosting service widely used across the commonwealth. Standardised web publishing and management functionality ensures a consistent user experience and robust platform for web content.

  • Apply AI ethics principles and policy when AI is involved in enabling government content

    Where AI is utilised in the workflow enabling content management, it must be implemented in line with appropriate guidance.

  • Adhere to reuse principles

    Entities must give priority to the adoption of reuseable digital and ICT solutions, patterns, or knowledge, and, where necessary, design new solutions with a focus on future reuse.

Policy:
POL38
Digital Experience Policy Mandate:
Endorsed
Status:
Core
  • Design and deliver services that are user-friendly, inclusive, adaptable and measurable.

  • Consider existing digital access points when developing a new digital service in consultation with the DTA.

  • Design and build new digital services to be able to integrate with primary digital access points such as myGov (where appropriate).

  • Contact the DTA if unsure how to comply with the DX Policy, if the digital investment or service is in scope of the DX Policy, or to apply for an exemption.

Domains

This capability is part of the following domain.
DOM1

Individual Experience

Policies

The following policies have requirements that impact this capability.
Mandate: Endorsed
Status: Core
This policy describes the requirements for entities planning digital investments involving web content management. Applicability Digital investment proposals are assessed against this policy by the DTA through the Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework (IOF). Commonwealth entities are…
Mandate: Endorsed
Status: Core
The Digital Experience Policy (DX Policy) supports a whole-of-government focus on improving the experience for people and businesses interacting digitally with government information and services.

Standards

The following standards support development of digital solutions in this capability.
v1.0 of the Digital Service Standard was replaced by v2.0 on 4 December 2023. The Digital Service Standard v1 was a set of best practice principles to help agencies design and build digital services that are simple, clear and fast for Australians.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provides a single shared standard for making Web content more accessible.
The AGLS Metadata Standard was a set of descriptive properties to improve visibility and availability of online resources. National Archives has decommissioned the AGLS website and uncoupled their responsibilities from AS 5044-2010 which is managed by Standards Australia.
The Digital Service Standard establishes the requirements for designing and delivering digital government services. The Standard puts people and business at the centre of government digital service delivery.
The Digital Inclusion Standard establishes the approach to ensure that all users of government services are considered, taking into account their diverse needs. By designing digital services that are inclusive, the interaction between government and the public through digital channels will be…
The Digital Performance Standard sets the approach to monitor digital performance across government services, and supports data-driven digital and ICT investment decisions. Having visibility of digital service performance will support agencies by fostering continuous improvement capabilities and…
The Digital Access Standard sets requirements for non-corporate Commonwealth entities (NCEs) to make informed decisions and reduce duplication of front doors and entry points to government digital services, ensuring a unified experience for individuals and business when interacting with the…
The APS Experience Design Principles support the Australian Public Service to design and deliver people-centric and inclusive policies and services. They provide guidance for embedding human-centred design approaches into the creation of new services and the improvement of existing ones – elevating…
Web Content Management encompasses the full spectrum of content processes, covering aspects such as creation, categorisation, quality, protection, and oversight. It is often achieved through implementation of a Content Management System (CMS). A CMS helps an entity create, publish, manage, store,…

Designs

The following designs include examples of how digital solutions in this capability can be delivered.

Lead Agency: Services Australia

Technology Type: myGov

myGov is a contemporary digital platform available via a native app and web portal. myGov is delivered through a modern and adaptable digital platform that is responsive to the changing needs of its users and Government delivering a flexible, scalable, digital solution.

Lead Agency: Department of Industry, Science & Resources

business.gov.au is a whole-of-government website for the Australian business community. It provides simple and convenient access to a range of business related information, services and support from 3 levels of government. The site contains comprehensive information on how to establish, register,…

Lead Agency: Australian Taxation Office

A Director Identification Number (director ID) is a unique 15-digit identifier required for directors of Australian companies. Managed by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), it helps prevent fraudulent identities and promotes transparency. A person will need a director ID if they're…

Lead Agency: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Energy Made Easy is a free, independent government service from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The energymadeeasy.gov.au website compares energy plans from various providers. It helps individuals and small businesses find the best plan for their needs.

Lead Agency: Department of Finance

Technology Type: GovCMS

GovCMS Platform as a Service (PaaS) hosting is a by government, for government website hosting solution. The PaaS hosting solution includes security and management of the platform. While being more flexible with greater allowable Drupal modules, customers with PaaS hosting are responsible for…

Lead Agency: Department of Finance

Technology Type: GovCMS

GovCMS Software as a Service (SaaS) hosting is a by government, for government website hosting solution. The SaaS hosting solution includes security and management of the platform. This includes regular security patching and software updates, application and infrastructure maintenance as well as…

Lead Agency: Department of Veterans' Affairs

Technology Type: GovCMS

The Department of Veterans' Affairs official website dva.gov.au provides key services, news and advice for veterans, their families and the broader Defence community.

Lead Agency: Department of Education

Technology Type: GovCMS

education.gov.au is the official website for the Department of Education. It provides news, announcements and information on programs and initiatives and resources for early childhood, primary and higher education and international education.

Lead Agency: Australian Trade and Investment Commission

Technology Type: GovCMS

austrade.gov.au is the official website for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). Austrade is a corporate Commonwealth entity that helps Australian businesses to succeed on the international markets, by accelerating the growth of Australian exporters, attracting foreign…

Lead Agency: Digital Transformation Agency

The Digital Service Standard Guides and Tools provides advice on how agencies can work towards implementing and achieving the DSS outcomes.
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