Think about the last time you sent an email at work and nobody replied. Or worse, they replied three days later with, “Oh, I didn’t see this.” Welcome to the daily frustrations of poor Internal Communications.
In Australian workplaces—whether you’re a startup in Sydney, a construction firm in Melbourne, or a government department in Canberra—getting communication right inside your business is the difference between smooth sailing and the kind of chaos you only see in bad sitcoms.
So, let’s unpack Internal Communications: what it is, why it’s critical, and how to improve it without needing a PhD in workplace psychology.
Internal Communications isn’t just about sending out the occasional staff email or pinning a noticeboard in the tea room. It’s about making sure every person in the business—from the intern making coffee runs to the CEO running board meetings—knows what’s happening, why it matters, and how they contribute.
Unlike external communications (how you present yourself to customers, investors, and the public), internal comms is your company’s heartbeat. Get it wrong, and suddenly you’ve got disengaged employees, crossed wires, and… let’s face it, a lot of passive-aggressive emails.
COVID-19 didn’t just change our lunch habits (goodbye food courts, hello sourdough). It permanently shifted how Australians work. With remote and hybrid setups, clear communication channels are non-negotiable.
Surveys show that almost 40% of Australian workers feel their employers don’t keep them informed about company updates. That’s like trying to play footy when half the team doesn’t know what quarter it is.
Want your staff to stick around? Communicate. Gallup research shows engaged employees are far less likely to leave. And in Australia, where recruitment is expensive and skill shortages are real, that’s not something to ignore.
Think of internal comms like different Aussie accents—same language, different vibes:
Here’s where theory meets practice.
Whether it’s an intranet, Confluence, or a well-managed Teams hub—pick a home for your information.
Australians value approachable leaders. A weekly video update, Q&A session, or town hall can go a long way.
Slack and Teams are great, but don’t replace real conversations with emoji reactions.
Use surveys, polls, or even an anonymous “ideas box.” Employees should feel heard, not just spoken at.
Corporate jargon doesn’t impress anyone. If your update needs a dictionary, it’s too complicated.
How healthy are your workplace communications?
Answer YES or NO:
At a mid-sized Melbourne IT firm, employees were frustrated by endless email chains and inconsistent updates. Management introduced:
Result? Staff engagement scores jumped 20% in six months. And yes, fewer “Reply All” nightmares.
From AI-powered chatbots to internal podcasts, technology is revolutionising how Aussie businesses communicate. But don’t get lost in the shiny tools. Tech should support your culture, not replace it.
(Pro tip: If you’re reading this on your company site, add a clickable poll here to capture real data.)
Nope. Even a 5-person tradie business benefits from better communication—think fewer missed jobs and more clarity.
Often enough that staff aren’t guessing, but not so much that you’re spamming them. Weekly structured updates are a good start.
Not always, but larger organisations often benefit from having a dedicated person or team.
Assuming a new tool will magically fix everything. Communication is about people, not just platforms.
In Australia, Internal Communications isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s mission-critical. When done well, it fosters trust, boosts productivity, and creates a workplace culture people actually want to be part of.
So, whether you’re leading a corporate office in Brisbane or running a tradie crew in Adelaide, remember: good communication is like good coffee—without it, things fall apart quickly.
And if all else fails, at least make sure someone remembers to reply to your email.