Accessibility

We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 at Level AA. That is the standard generally applied to Australian websites, and it is the benchmark we test against.

We are also mindful that inaccessible services can amount to discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). We would rather build the site properly than argue about it.

• Pages are built from structured, semantic markup, so a screen reader can move through them by heading and landmark.
• Everything on the site can be reached and operated with a keyboard alone.
• Text and background colours are chosen to meet the contrast ratios the guidelines require.
• Text resizes without the layout breaking, and the site works at phone width.
• Images that carry meaning have text alternatives; decorative images are hidden from assistive technology.
• Where the site uses motion, it is decorative, it never conveys information on its own, and it stops for anyone whose device asks for reduced motion.
• Forms have real labels, and errors are described in words rather than by colour alone.
• The site sets no tracking cookies and runs no third-party scripts, which keeps pages light on slow connections and older devices.

We would rather name the gaps than claim there are none.

• Documents. Checklists and guides offered for download may not yet meet the same standard as the website. If you need one in a different format, ask and we will provide it.
• Third-party tools. The booking page is provided by Microsoft Bookings and its design is not fully under our control. We tested it before linking to it. If it does not work for you, email or telephone us and we will book the time for you.
• Legal and technical language. Migration law is dense. We write as plainly as accuracy allows, but some of it is unavoidably difficult. If a page is not clear, tell us, and we will look at the page rather than at you.

Tell us what page you were on, what you were trying to do, and what happened. Our contact page has the address.

We will reply, tell you what we can do and by when, and give you the information you were looking for another way in the meantime. Nobody should have to wait for a website to be fixed to get an answer.

Nothing on this site has to be done on this site. If the website does not work for you, telephone us or email us, and a consultation can be conducted by telephone rather than by video.

Someone can also make first contact for you. There is one thing to know about that: before we can deal with another person about your matter, the Code requires us to verify who they are and to be satisfied that you have agreed in writing to them acting for you. Making an enquiry or arranging an appointment on your behalf is straightforward; discussing your circumstances with them is not, until that is in place. We will tell you what is needed and keep it as simple as we can.

If you would be better served in another language, tell us and we will arrange an appropriately qualified interpreter for your dealings with us.

Accessibility is tested when the site is built and rechecked whenever a page is substantially changed. This page is updated when what it describes changes.