Alternative text (alt text) requirements for images
- Jess Pietsch (Unlicensed)
- Marcella Marino
This guide covers the alt text requirements for publishing images on the Single Digital Presence (SDP) content management system (CMS).
Alternative text explains information in images for screen reader users. Captions describe images to help users relate them to surrounding text. Titles identify images and number them in long-form content.
Use the Australian Government Style Manual for tips on how to write alt text, captions and titles for images
When alt text is required
Informational images must have alt text added to the image Caption field. If your alternative text is long and your image has lots of detail, use the complex image component.
When alt text isn’t required
The following images do not require alt text:
Sensory images: if the image is intended to create a sensory experience. For example, an image of an artwork.
Decorative images: if the image is pure decoration, used for visual purposes only.
If the image is decorative image, use a double quotation mark "" in the Caption field.
Additional requirements for images
The image follows brand and style quality guidelines e.g. has people in the photo, adds meaning to the content, diversity of subjects.
The image is resized to 818 pixels x 408 pixels for feature images and landscape-format images embedded in body content. Portrait-format images embedded in body content should be no taller than 400px or they will be automatically shrunk on display.
The image is appropriate and adds more context or meaning to the content.
Permission has been granted to use the photo. This is the content owner's responsibility but if concerned query it.