Access Consultants in Australia: When and Why You Need One

If you’re thinking of building, renovating or fitting-out a commercial or residential property in Australia, you probably have heard the term accessibility compliance and the necessity for a qualified access consultant in Australia. Knowing when and why to hire one and the importance of their input can help you avoid expensive redesigns, certification delays and legal risks in the future.

This guide will explain what an access consultant does, when it is necessary and how it can be employed in conjunction with the building certifier or private building certifier Sydney.

What is an Access Consultant?

Access consultants are specialists examining buildings and public places to ensure they are compliant with the disability access standards in Australia. This includes things like ramp gradients and doorway widths as well as accessible parking, signage and bathroom fittings. They understand, and apply, complex technical requirements, mainly AS1428.1 (Design for Access and Mobility) and the National Construction Code (NCC) and interpret them into practical, buildable solutions for architects, builders and developers.

Unlike a general building consultant, an access consultant is more focused on how a space works for a person with disability, older Australians, parents with prams and anyone who has mobility, vision or hearing impairments. An access consultant in Australia, when involved early in the design process, is one of the best ways to minimise the risk of costly rework during construction.

Why Accessibility Compliance Matters in Australia

Accessibility is not only a best practice, it is the law. There are two important frameworks that govern this space:

• The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) which bans discrimination against a person with a disability including through inaccessible buildings.
• The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 provide specific, measurable standards for new buildings and adaptations to existing buildings.

The consequences of non-compliance may result in claims of discrimination, project delays and expensive remediation after the project is finished, for property owners and developers. A seasoned access consultant can highlight access issues at design stage, before they are costly issues on site.

When Do You Need an Access Consultant in Australia?

Not all projects need an access consultant, but many more than people think do! If you are engaged in any of the following activities, you should consider hiring one:

• There are access requirements that are required for new commercial developments, such as offices, retail, medical centres and hospitality venues, under the NCC.
• Multi-residential properties – like apartment buildings and townhouse complexes – may need to accommodate a percentage of accessible units and shared spaces.
• Aged care/hospitals — these have some of the most stringent accessibility requirements in the country.
• A new compliance assessment is usually required if the structure is undergoing building changes or a change of use – such as a warehouse being converted to a gym, a house being converted to a childcare centre.
• Public and education buildings (schools, libraries, community centres) must be accessible to everyone who visits, staff and students.
• If you already own or run a building, and need to find and rectify accessibility issues before they affect the business, you’ll need a DDA compliance audit.

For projects in these categories, engaging an access consultant in Australia in the design stage – not after designs are completed – is the most economical option.

What is the Difference Between Access Consultant and Accredited Certifier?

It is one of the most frequent misunderstandings among property owners and the building owners. They have similar work, but they are two different jobs:

• An access consultant provides advice on the design of a building to ensure it is accessible, making in-depth reports and recommendations throughout the design and building process.
• The person who reviews plans against the full National Construction Code — including but not limited to accessibility — and gives the formal approval (e.g. Construction Certificate, Occupation Certificate) that is required to make the building and its use legal is an accredited certifier.

In reality, the access consultant’s report is normally incorporated without modification into the certifier’s assessment. Taking proper and standardised advice from an access consultant early in the process can streamline the certification process and minimise the risk that your accredited certifier will identify problems that need to be redesigned.

Why Pair an Access Consultant with a Private Building Certifier in Sydney

You have a cohesive compliance journey from planning to final sign-off when working with a private building certifier in Sydney in conjunction with your access consultant for projects in NSW. Your access consultant will verify all aspects of accessibility, from ground surface indicators to accessible sanitation — while your private certifier will evaluate your development application and grant construction certificates, and conduct required inspections.

The combination of these two is especially useful for buildings that are more complex, multi use and have shorter turnaround time, where any non compliance item can stall the process of an Occupation Certificate and cause a project to be delayed from opening.

Key Takeaways

• An access consultant is a specialist in the interpretation of the AS1428.1 and NCC accessibility requirements for the design of real buildings.
• More than one in five Australians has a disability and accessible design is not an add-on, it is essential.
• Getting an access consultant involved early in the project prevents the cost of redesigning and delays the certification after the project is finished.
• Access consultants and accredited certifiers are not the same; they perform complementary functions to achieve a building’s legal approval.
• Combination of access consultant and a private building certifier in Sydney results in a more seamless and efficient compliance procedure for projects in NSW.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Do all buildings in Australia need an access consultant?

Most commercial, public and multi-residential buildings do and any project that involves them in renovation, change of use or aged care and healthcare facilities. It is best to determine this early in the project to ensure that your specific project requires one or not.

Q. How early should I engage an access consultant?

Preferably at the concept or schematic design phase. It is much cheaper to provide accessibility features at the beginning of construction than to do so after the construction documents are drawn up.

Q. Is an access consultant the same as a building certifier?

No. Access consultant provides advice for accessible design; accredited certifier reviews and formally certifies the overall building in compliance with the National Construction Code.

Q. What standards do access consultants work to in Australia?

AS1428.1 (Design for Access and Mobility), the National Construction Code, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 are the main references.

Q. Can an access consultant help with an existing building, not just new construction?

Yes. Existing buildings are regularly being assessed for compliance by access consultants and solutions are being put forward for accessibility issues in buildings which can be considered in a practical way.