Accessible design ensures that buildings can be used by people of all abilities. In Australia, accessibility requirements are set out in Australian Standards, the National Construction Code, and for some building classes, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Key Australian Standards and Codes
AS 1428.1 — Design for Access and Mobility — sets out minimum dimensions for corridors, doorways, ramps, and sanitary facilities.
- AS 1428.1 — minimum access dimensions
- NCC Section D — Access and Egress
- Livable Housing Design Guidelines — Silver, Gold, Platinum
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992 — public buildings
Requirements by Building Class
Accessibility requirements vary significantly by building class. Class 9b requires full AS 1428 compliance throughout. Class 6 shops require an accessible entry and toilet. Class 2 apartments must have accessible ground-floor dwellings.
Livable Housing: What's Changing in NCC 2025
From May 2025, new Class 1a homes in Victoria will be required to meet Silver level Livable Housing Design requirements — a step-free path from the street, wider internal doorways (820mm clear), a ground-floor toilet, and reinforced bathroom walls.