Common badging

Guidelines to ensure consistent use of the State Coat of Arms and the Western Australian State Government badge across the public sector.
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All Western Australian public sector agencies other than those listed in Schedule 1 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 are to use the State Coat of Arms as the WA State Government badge (State Government badge) in accordance with Premier's Circular 2020/01 - Use of WA State Government Badge by Public Sector Agencies.

Common badging across government allows the public to clearly identify bodies servicing the Public.

Official use of the State Coat of Arms is restricted to authorised agencies to authenticate documents, to show ownership of property and to signify government projects or publications.

Non-government organisations

The State Coat of Arms is protected under the Armorial Bearings Protection Act 1979 (the Act). It is an offence under the Act, without previous written authority, to reproduce the State Coat of Arms for any commercial purpose, or in such a manner as to suggest use of the State Coat of Arms on the material or object has official significance.

In accordance with the Act, non-government organisations cannot use the State Coat of Arms in any format unless authorised to do so.

Non-government bodies may seek approval from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet for the use of the State Coat of Arms for educational or cultural purposes.

Downloads

All Government graphic downloads can be found on the page link below.

Rules of depiction

A quick guide to the correct representation and application of the State Coat of Arms.

The general rules of depiction of the State Coat of Arms are as follows:

  • It must be a true reproduction of the approved State Coat of Arms. The features and any wording should be clear and distinct, without alteration and without the addition of any other words or devices, and it must not be incorporated with any other logo unless co-badged.
  • It is to be placed either at the top left hand side or top left hand corner of any page, signage or electronic document.
  • When used in conjunction with a State Government badge, the State Coat of Arms is to be placed in the paramount position, i.e. the State Coat of Arms must be above or to the left of any other logos and must be at least the same size as the logo.
  • It must not be used as a watermark or overprinted with words or designs and it must not be placed on top of wording or designs.
  • However, if an exemption is granted by the Common Badging Committee to do so, the same rules as stated above apply, i.e. the State Coat of Arms must be on the top left of the page or signage and other logos to the right, and no other logos are to be placed above or at the top of the page or signage.
  • The State Coat of Arms must appear only once in a document or publication.
  • In situations where only the State Coat of Arms is to be used, then Option A (Text), as shown below.

State Coat of Arms

There are four ​approved versions of the State Coat of Arms.
  • Option A is to be used by all government entities.
  • Option B should only be used in situations where it is more suitable for other applications and signage.
  • Option C and D is generally used by Members of Parliament, independent agencies reporting directly to Parliament and non-government bodies where permission has been given.
  • Option A, B, C and D, can be reversed in white over dark backgrounds as in examples below.

 

Option A

     

Option B (not preferred)

 

Option C

 

Option D

OptionA
 
OptionB(NotPreferred)
 
OptionC
 
OptionD

Text

  Seal   No text   Text

 

Option A - reversed

     

Option B - reversed (not preferred)

 

Option C - reversed

 

Option D - reversed

OptionA-Rev
 
OptionB(NotPreferred)-Rev
 
Option_3
 
Option_D-REV

Text

  Seal   No text   Text

 

Colour reproduction

The State Coat of Arms can be reproduced in monotone in black, reversed in white over dark backgrounds, in a theme or corporate colour and full colour (available to download but not preferred).

Accessibility and sizing standards

A quick guide about minimum size requirements and WA Government accessibility guidelines.

Access guidelines

Text/copy in letters and other forms of communication should comply with State Government Access Guidelines to assist government meet legislative requirements and support everyone to create an accessible and inclusive Western Australia.

Some guidelines are;

  • using a minimum font size of 12 point, and where possible 14 point or larger on brochures and advertising;
  • left aligning text;
  • avoiding the use of upper case only (block capitals), as this is more difficult to read;
  • using a minimum of italics and hyphenation;
  • using good colour contrast between the text and background and avoid combining red and green colours in lettering. Poor contrast is difficult to read for people who are blind, have a vision impairment or are colour blind. Free colour contrast analysing software is available from www.visionaustralia.org.au or an online contrast checker can be found here.

Correct sizing application of the State Coat of Arms

The State Coat of Arms must never by used at less than 15mm wide.

15mmSize

Stationery and up to A3 (297mm x 420mm) layouts

The State Government badge must be incorporated into all printed government stationery (letterheads, business cards, etc.)

Business cards

BCard

With compliments slip

CompSlip

Letterhead

Letterhead

Large format communications larger than A3

All communications that are larger than A3 will can use a 10 per cent rule with the shortest side to work out a good minimum size by itself or as part of the State Government Badge.

Please refer to the examples below.

ScreenSizes

Digital and social media

The State Coat of Arms should be applied to all WA Government websites.

The rules of depiction apply to all digital and social media sites and compliance requirements must be met with badging and placement of the State Government badge and State Coat of Arms. In situations where the State Coat of Arms cannot be produced at a suitable resolution to display a good reproduction of the State Coat of Arms, then an attribution line should be used giving acknowledgement to the WA Government.

Examples include:
'authorised by the Government of Western Australia and the Department Name'.
Alternatively, use an acknowledgement of a single line: 'Government of Western Australia'.

More information about this can be found in the Government Advertising and Communication Guidelines.

State Government badge

The 'badge' refers to use of the State Coat of Arms in the context of department, agency and statutory body branding.

Who administers the State Government badge?

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is responsible for administering the State Government badge and established the Common Badging Committee to:

  • assess applications for co-badging or exemptions;
  • respond to agency requests for guidance on the application of the State Government badge; and
  • respond to requests by non-government organisations for use of the State Coat of Arms.

The Common Badging Committee comprises:

  • Manager, Parliamentary Electorate Offices Support and Transport Unit, State Services; 
  • Manager, Ministerial Support Unit, State Services; and
  • Senior Graphic Designer, Communications, State Services.

Any enquiries regarding the Common Badging Committee's administration of the State Government badge should be directed to the contact information opposite.

New signage, apparel and other durable items should be badged using the State Coat of Arms or the State Government badge. It is not mandatory for the badge to apply to uniforms or vehicle markings.

The badge:

  • must be incorporated into all printed government stationery, such as letterheads and business cards. 
  • is to be used on the cover or cover page of all publications. If approval has been given for co-badging, the badge must have equal or more prominence and size to any product or service brands, logos or other stylistic devices.

Statutory authorities have an automatic right to co-badge and the same arrangements apply as for departments and commissions.

Quick tip: Live illustrator files can be found on the downloads page. Designers may use these files to create the various options of the State Government badge for your chosen department or agency.

Advertising

The State Government badge or the State Coat of Arms is to be included in all government advertising.
For more information about government advertising, agencies should refer to Premier's Circular 2020/01 - Use of WA State Government Badge by Public Sector Agencies and  the accompanying Government Advertising and Communications Policy and Guidelines.
Note: Should there be specific campaign advertising in which it seems inappropriate to use the State Government badge or the State Coat of Arms, agencies can seek an exemption by applying to the Common Badging Committee.

Signage

Please refer to the Signage Guidelines Capital Works for further information regarding signage.

Applying the State Government badge

Department badge options for use with department names.

The designated layout is Option A, Option B or Option C (as used on allstationery).

Option A

 

OPtion B

 

Option C

The correct positioning of the text in relation to the State Coat of Arms is for the top of the first line of text to align with the top of the heads of the kangaroos.

The options below are acceptable for other applications such as press advertisements or signage.

 

OPtion D

 

Option E

 

Option F

 

Stacked and multiple agency badging

These layouts are for use in instances where it may be necessary to use the badge with more than one department name.

mORETHANONE

 

mORE THAN ONE STACK

Co-badging

Common badging requirements for statutory authorities who are entitled to co-badge with the State Coat of Arms.

In certain circumstances, departments can enter into co-badging arrangements, subject to approval from the Common Badging Committee.

Departments with co-badging rights should refer to 'Applying the State Government badge' section above, for directions on positions and presentation of the State Government badge.

Departments can apply to the Common Badging Committee for permission to co-badge a department logo or a logo representing a specific product or service with the State Government badge.

With regard to the approval to co-badge with a logo, the Common Badging Committee has previously approved this in instances where:

  • agencies had a long standing 'brand' logo prior to the introduction of common badging that was a key part of their identity, marketing and promotional activities;
  • statutory authorities that had an automatic right to co-badge under the rules that applied when common badging was initially established;
  • agencies developed a 'brand logo' to market and promote a specific new service or initiative that they were required to implement.

Statutory authority logos

The common badging requirements also apply to statutory authorities who are entitled to co-badge their logo with the State Coat of Arms, provided such use complies with this guide.

Statutory authorities are entitled to co-badge their logo with the State Government badge provided such use complies with the directions contained in 'Applying the State Government badge' section above.

The co-badged logo size example directly below demonstrates the maximum size of the co-badged logo and does not represent the location of the co-badged logo as a co-badged logo can sit alongside the State Government Crest separated by a line or space. In some circumstances it may be more applicable for the co-badged logo to sit somewhere else on the page as long as it remains no bigger than the State Government Crest.

Finding the Xheight

 

Using the Xheight

 

Co-badge sizing

Co-badging enquiries can be directed to the Common Badging Committee contact details to the right of this page. 

Sponsors and partners

Ensures that the WA Government receives appropriate recognition for its contribution, and that members of the community are aware of this investment on their behalf.

Where WA Government departments and agencies sponsor a project or event, it is appropriate that the contribution of government resources can be publicly recognised. 

Recognition may be achieved through wording or display of the State Coat of Arms or the State Government badge with the words 'sponsored by'. The State Coat of Arms and the State Government badge can only be used with the written permission of the WA Government.

The use of the State Coat of Arms must comply with the rules of depiction. See 'Rules of depiction' above.

Partners and supporters

Many services, projects, goods and events provided by the WA Government to the community are delivered in conjunction with non-WA Government, third-party providers. The use of the State Coat of Arms helps to ensure that the WA Government receives appropriate recognition for its contribution, and that members of the community are aware of this investment on their behalf.

The distinction between partners and supporters is as follows:

  • Partner, where the WA Government is the sole or substantial funder of a service, project, event or goods delivered by third party.
  • Supporter, where the WA Government is among the contributors (financial or otherwise) to a service, project, event or goods delivered by a third party.

Requirements regarding the acknowledgement of the WA Government's contribution should be included in contract or agreement documentation. Third-party providers must seek approval from their lead WA Government agency communications team for any use of the State Coat of Arms. Agencies can seek advice from the Common Badging Committee.