Abbreviations
While it is usually best to spell out all words in full , abbreviations are helpful if you are short on space or your copy contains multiple references to long terms and titles ( such as organisation names ).
The best rule when using abbreviations is to consider your reader . Keep track of the number of abbreviations you use . Too many can make a document difficult to read and understand .
Avoid using ‘ i . e .’, ‘ e . g .’ or ‘ etc .’ in body copy , as they can make it look unfinished . Replace them with ‘ that is ’, ‘ for example ’ and ‘ and so on ’. It may be necessary to use these abbreviations in tables , graphs , infographics or lists where space is limited .
Abbreviations only require a full stop at the end if the final letter of the abbreviation is not the final letter of the spelt-out word :
Dr , Mr , Qld
Co ., Prof ., etc ., Vic ., Tas .
Acronyms and initialisms
Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations made up of the initial letters of a spelt-out term . They should not contain full stops . While acronyms can be pronounced as a word ( such as ‘ NATO ’), initialisms must be read letter by letter ( like ‘ UNSW ’).
You should establish the acronym or initialism in brackets after the first spelt-out reference :
Undergraduate admission is often based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank ( ATAR ). An ATAR is …
Plural acronyms do not contain an apostrophe and the ‘ s ’ is always lowercase : We admit students based on their ATARs , among other criteria .
We admit students based on their ATAR ’ s , among other criteria .
There is no need to introduce an initialism or acronym if you ’ re not going to use it again . If the audience will be more familiar with the abbreviated form than the spelt-out version ( for example , UNESCO , CSIRO , IT or CEO ), you do not need to spell out the acronym or initialism at all . Think carefully when deciding which abbreviations are obvious to your audience .
Avoid introducing acronyms and initialisms in brackets within headings and subheadings . Use the full name in the heading and insert the bracketed abbreviation after the first instance in running text .
Once you have established an initialism or acronym in brackets , use only the initialism or acronym in subsequent mentions – at least within that section of the document . In longer documents such as annual reports , where readers may only refer to specific sections , you may choose to re-establish the acronym or initialism at the start of each chapter .
Acts
When the word ‘ Act ’ is used to describe legislation , it should always begin with a capital ‘ A ’, whether used in the singular or plural .
When an Act is first mentioned , use its full title in italics , and include the date . Don ’ t insert a comma between the name and the date :
Copyright Act 1968
In documents that refer to legislation from multiple Australian jurisdictions ( Commonwealth and state legislation , for example ), you should indicate the jurisdiction in abbreviated form . Write it in non-italic text and in brackets following the date :
Copyright Act 1968 ( Cth )
Education Act 1990 ( NSW )
In subsequent references , there ’ s no need to refer to the jurisdiction or date ; you can also simply use ‘ the Act ’. In such cases , no italics are required :
This is covered by the Copyright Act 1968 ( Cth ). The Copyright Act … The Act …
Include the jurisdiction if you are referring to Acts with the same name from multiple jurisdictions .
Do not use italics for other elements of Australian law ( such as regulations ), or for foreign legislation .
Addresses
Addresses should not include commas between the suburb , state and postcode : UNSW Sydney , High Street , Kensington NSW 2052 , Australia
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