About us
About the National Tourism Signage Reference Group
The National Tourism Signage Reference Group (NTSRG) brings together state and territory tourism organisations and their road authorities to discuss and make policy about tourist road signing and related matters.
The NTSRG comprises representatives of State and Territory tourism organisations, road authorities, and the Commonwealth. Each state and territory tourism (except for Tourism WA) and road authority is represented on the NTSRG.
The reference group is an advisory body to the Australian Standing Committee on Tourism (ASCOT).
A national approach to tourist signs
Our visitors do not recognise state and territory borders, so consistency in major tourist road signing throughout Australia is important. We aim to achieve uniformity on fundamental signing issues, while recognising and allowing for local conditions.
This is primarily achieved through reviewing and recommending changes to the appropriate Australian Standard, but also at a less formal level through cooperation between the nation’s tourism and road authorities.
National Tourism Signage Reference Group projects
The work of the NTSRG has included:
- initiating and contributing to the revision of Australian Standard 1742.6, which deals with tourist road signing
- devising national guidelines for the implementation of tourist routes and themed tourist ‘ways’ of national, state and regional significance
- writing national guidelines for the signing of tourist radio services
- analysing symbols used to denote tourist attractions and services throughout Australia.
The NTSRG does not meet on a regular basis, but rather considers issues and background papers via electronic means as required.
Issues to be considered by the NTSRG may be raised by any of the representative bodies and are circulated to members by the secretariat.
The NTSRG meets in person at least biennially for a major update on national tourist signing progress.
The National Tourism Signage Reference Group at work
The role of the NTSRG is to:
- consider tourist signing issues of actual or potential national significance
- monitor the implementation of the national agreement of the trademarked ‘i’ signing, and its associated accreditation scheme
- act as a final referral point for breaches of the ‘i’ trademark
- monitor the implementation of the new national tourism attraction symbols
- consider applications for new tourist attraction symbols, and liaise with Standards Australia on their introduction
- oversee the continuing development of graphic standards for the trademarked ‘i’ signing
- oversee the introduction of new national tourism attraction symbols
- consider applications for the introduction of new themed touring routes across at least two State and Territory jurisdictions
- monitor and assist in the conduct of any new studies of national tourist signing or other relevant studies
- advise on methods to promote the implementation of the trademarked ‘i’ signing nationally
- advise on the implementation of the national tourist attraction symbols
- establish sub committees to consider issues requiring more detailed examination.
Guidelines for tourism signage
The National Tourist Signing Eligibility Guidelines describe the criteria that tourism businesses must meet to be eligible for a roadside sign. They should be used in conjunction with the relevant state or territory tourist signing policy, which may vary.
The aim of the National Tourism Signage Project is that these guidelines be adopted gradually by road authorities nationwide to provide a common signaging system. Read the National Tourist Signing Eligibility Guidelines.