Access Audits and Compliance Reviews

An Access Audit, Access Appraisal or Compliance Review of premises will consider the following requirements:

1. The minimum accessibility requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume 1 (part of the National Construction Code) and all referenced technical standards. This is adopted at State and Territory level into building legislation and are mandatory requirements for new building works. This includes all referenced Australian Standards in the BCA, including:
   • Australian Standard AS 1428.1:2009 – Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access – New building work (AS 1428.1)
   • Australian Standard AS/NZS 1428.4.1:2009 – Design for access and mobility, Part 4.1: Means to assist the orientation of people with vision impairment – Tactile ground surface indicators (AS/NZS 1428.4.1)
   • Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2890.6:2009 – Parking facilities, Part 6: Off-street parking for people with disabilities (AS/NZS 2890.6)
   • Australian Standard AS 1735.12:1999 – Lifts, escalators and moving walks, Part 12: Facilities for persons with disabilities (AS 1735.12)
2. The minimum accessibility requirements of all applicable Disability Standards referenced under the Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), including
   • The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010, also referred to as the Premises Standards.
   • The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, also referred to as the Transport Standards.
   • The Disability Standards for Education 2005, also referred to as the Education Standards.
   • Guideline on the Application of the Premises Standards (Version 2 February 2013)
3. Other accessibility standards will be considered when a best practice approach is required, but any such identified issues or recommendations will always be presented as non-mandatory recommendations only, these include the following:
   • Australian Standard AS 1428.2:1992 – Design for Access and mobility, Part 2: Enhanced and additional requirements – Buildings and facilities (AS 1428.2)
   • Australian Standard AS 1428.3:1992 – Design for Access and mobility, Part 3: Requirements for children and adolescents with physical disabilities (AS 1428.3)
   • DR AS 1428.4.2:2015 – Design for access and mobility Wayfinding (DR AS 1428.4.2)
   • Australian Standard AS1428.5:2010 – Design for access and mobility, Part 5: Communication for people who are deaf or hearing impaired (AS 1428.5)
   • Australian Standard AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 – Parking Facilities, Part 1: Off-street car parking (AS/NZS 2890.1)
   • Australian Standard AS 3745:2010 – Planning for emergencies in facilities (AS 3745)
     Australian Standard AS 4299:1995 – Adaptable Apartments (AS 4299)
   • Livable Housing Design Guidelines

Our reports always clearly identify what is a mandatory requirement under the applicable legislation, and what is a DDA best practice recommendation. The reports can be presented in various formats, dependent on a client’s requirements, from a simple compliance assessment of an existing entry ramp to an access audit program of a portfolio of educational buildings on a university campus, we’ve experienced it all in the past, including audits in Asia.

This approach can reduce the risks and ensures a functional, safe, and convenient environment for everyone.