Numbers, dates and times

Numbers

Use numerals for numbers 2 and above in text, reserving words for zero, one and when a number begins a sentence.

Use commas to separate thousands (1,000 and above).

For approximate numbers over 999,999, spell out million or billion.

Use to for a range of numbers.

Spell out ordinal numbers from first to ninth. Use numerals with suffixes for 10th and up.

Ages

Use numerals for ages.

Use to for a range of ages.

Use hyphens when the age describes a noun.

Measurements

Write measurements as numerals with abbreviated units.

Use a non-breaking space (Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar in Microsoft Word) between the number and the unit.

Spell out the unit when no number is used.

Money

Use decimal places only when cents are included.

Spell out cents, million and billion, with a space after the numeral.

Use commas for thousands, in line with the Australian Government Style Manual.

Percentages

Use % symbol with no space.

Phone numbers

Use spaces to make phone numbers easier to read.

Link phone numbers where possible.

Tell users to call, not phone.

For emergencies, use Triple Zero (000).

Group memorable numbers together (for example, 131 500).

Dates

Write dates in day-month-year order.

Write the day as a numeral, the month in full, and the year in full.

Use to for a span of days, dates or months.

For year ranges, use a hyphen or en dash. Write both years in full.

Shorten the second year if the first 2 digits are the same.

Use a hyphen with mid.

If space is limited, use a 3-letter month abbreviation.

Times

Use the 12-hour clock, followed by am or pm. Use a non-breaking space between the number and unit.

Use a colon between hours and minutes.

Do not include minutes for whole hours.