Disability Standards for Premises
Want to know more about the Premises Standards?
A webcast of a seminar on the Disability (Access to Premises-Buildings) Standards (the Premises Standards) conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Building Codes Board can be accessed from links available on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.
The Premises Standards
The purpose of the Disability (Access to Premises-Buildings) Standards is to improve the accessibility of public buildings. These standards are part of the Australian Government’s social inclusion agenda to give all Australians, particularly people with disability, better access to a wider range of public buildings. Improved building access enhances opportunities to access employment, education and services, and to connect with the broader community.
The Premises Standards are one action implementing the Australian Government’s ten-year National Disability Strategy. Part of the National Disability Strategy’s vision is of a society with inclusive and accessible communities.
Guidelines and more information
The Australian Human Rights Commission has produced Guidelines on the application of the Premises Standards. These guidelines are helpful in interpreting the standards. A webcast of a seminar about the Premises Standards is available via the Australian Human Rights Commission website. This seminar is conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Building Codes Board.
Legislative history and commencement
The Premises Standards are made by the Attorney-General under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The Premises Standards were tabled in the Federal Parliament on 15 March 2010 and are effective from 1 May 2011.
These standards align with changes to the Building Code of Australia that also operate from that date.
Background to the Premises Standards
The Premises Standards were prepared after extensive consultation with stakeholders, culminating in the release of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs report, ‘Access All Areas’ in June 2009.
The Government tabled its response to the report on 15 March 2010. The response accepted, accepted in part, or accepted in principle eighteen of the Committee’s recommendations.
Downloads
If you have difficulty downloading or accessing any downloads on this page please contact the Human Rights Policy Branch through the switchboard on +61 2 6141 6666.
