Codes, Standards and Guidelines
- Building Code of Australia
- Advisory Notes on Access to premises
- Australian Standards
- State Government Guidelines
Building Code of Australia
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) sets out the minimum requirements for building design and construction throughout Australia, it references various Australian Standards and Codes to provide technical building requirements. Standards referenced by the BCA have legal application.
To find out more or to order a copy of the BCA visit the Australian Building Codes Board website.
The access requirements of the BCA are currently being reviewed so that they are consistent with the requirements contained within recent legislation, particularly the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
Until these reviews are completed, it is strongly recommended that developers consult the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's Advisory Notes on Access to Premises as well as the BCA.
Advisory Notes on Access to Premises
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has released Advisory Notes on Access to Premises (HREOC). While these Advisory Notes are not legally binding, they have been prepared by the Commissioner to assist people to understand their existing responsibilities and rights under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). It is recommended that the Advisory Notes be used as a principal reference for people planning new developments until the Disability Standard on Access to Premises has been developed.
Australian Standards
The Standards Australia website provides information about the services and activities of Standards Australia and includes an on-line service to purchase Standards.
There are several Australian Standards relevant to providing access to buildings and facilities - some are listed below. It is important to refer to the latest version of the relevant Standard.
- AS 1428.1 General requirements for access - New building work
- AS 1428.1 Supplement 1 General requirements for access - buildings - commentary
- AS 1428.2 Enhanced and additional requirements - buildings and facilities
- AS 1428.3 Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities
- AS 1428.4 Tactile ground surface indicators for the orientation of people with vision impairment
- AS 1735.7 Stairway lifts
- AS 1735.12 Escalators and moving walks Part 12. Facilities for people with disabilities
- AS 3769 Automatic teller machines (ATMs) - user access
- AS 2890.1 Off-street parking: Mandatory requirements
- AS 2890.5 On-street parking
State Government Guidelines
The State Government Access Guidelines for Information, Services and Facilities [DOC 194 kB] [PDF 149 kB] provides practical information to assist Western Australian State Government departments provide services & facilities that are accessible to people with disabilities.
State Government agencies have a social and legislative responsibility to ensure their services can be accessed by all of their customers in accordance with Premier's Circular 2003/08 [PDF 29 kB]
