Building Access and Mobility Update: AS 1428.1-2021

A significant update has come into force for accessible building design in Australia. From 29 July 2025, Australia’s key standard for building access and mobility is AS 1428.1-2021, replacing the 2009 version in both the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 Amendment 2 and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010. While the changes are primarily clarifications to support consistent interpretations, the clause numbering has also been revised¹.

We have prepared a summary to help you cross reference the old and new clause numbers, and quickly identify what has changed. For full details, please refer to the official documents from Standards Australia and get in touch if you would like to discuss how these changes may affect your specific project.

AS 1428.1 – 2009 vs 2021

2009 clause	2021 clause	What is different
1. Scope	1.1
2. Application	1.2
Figure 1	Figure 1
3. Normative references	1.3
4. Definitions	1.4 Terms and definitions	Heading altered
4.1 accessible	1.4.1
4.2 active leaf	1.4.2
4.3 angle of approach	1.4.3
4.4 Braille	1.4.4
4.5 circulation space	1.4.5
4.6 continuous accessible path of travel	1.4.6
4.7 encroachment	1.4.7
	1.4.8 grate	New defined term
4.8 hazard	1.4.9
4.9 kerb	1.4.10
4.10 landing	1.4.11	Altered definition to add that this is a flat or crowned surface with a gradient and crossfall not steeper than 1:40
4.11 luminance contrast	1.4.12
4.12 luminance factor		Deleted
	1.4.13 mixing valve	New defined term
	1.4.14 outlet	New defined term
4.13 people with ambulant disabilities	1.4.15
4.14 rail		Deleted, no separate sub-heading
4.14.1 grabrail	1.4.16
4.14.2 handrail	1.4.17
4.15 ramp	1.4.18
4.16 ramp, kerb	1.4.19
4.17 ramp, step	1.4.20
4.18 ramp, threshold	1.4.21
4.19 sensory disability		Deleted
4.20 slip resistant	1.4.22
4.21 sole-occupancy unit	1.4.23	Changed BCA to NCC
4.22 tactile ground surface indicator (TGSI)	1.4.24 tactile ground surface indicator	Heading structure altered
4.23 tactile signs	1.4.25
4.24 walkways	1.4.26
5 Dimensions	2	Cautionary note added suggesting to consider tolerance in design and clarifying that dimensions are to finished surfaces, not to structural elements
6 Continuous accessible paths of travel	3
6.1 General	3.1	Cautionary note added suggesting to consider tolerance in design
6.2 Heights of a continuous accessible path of travel	3.2
6.3 Width of a continuous accessible path of travel	3.3	Clarification added that the width specified does not apply to a curved ramp or walkway
Figure 2	Figure 2
6.4 Passing space for wheelchair	3.4	Sentence added to refer to separate clause re gradient and crossfall
Figure 3	Figure 3
6.5 Circulation space for wheelchair turn	3.5
	3.5.1	Clause added to refer to separate clause re gradient and crossfall
6.5.1 60° to 90° turn	3.5.2
6.5.2 30° to <60°	3.5.3
Figure 4	Figure 4
6.5.3 >90° to 180°	3.5.4 Greater than 90° to 180° turn	Minor change to heading
Figure 5	Figure 5
6.6 Visual indicators on glazing	3.6	Clarification added that indicators are to be unbroken, opaque. Also that the contrast shall be achieved when viewed from each side of the glazing. Method of testing opacity is added. Note added re tinted glass. Note added about location of any logos. Note added referring to different standard re glazing and the criteria and situations where glazing is more vulnerable to human impact.
	3.7 Glazed viewing panels	New clause with requirements for dimensions of glazed viewing panels
7 Floor or ground surfaces on continuous accessible paths of travel and circulation spaces	4
7.1 General	4.1	Note added about standards and handbooks relating to slip resistance. Cautionary note added suggesting to consider tolerance in design.
7.2 Construction tolerances for abutment of surfaces	4.2 Construction tolerances at abutment of surfaces	Minor change to heading. Item (b) clarifies bevelled/rounded edge relates to the higher edge. Reference to timber decking is added.
Figure 6	Figure 6
Figure 7	Figure 7(A)
Figure 7(B) Timber decking and boardwalks		Diagrams added to show permitted gaps and vertical changes for timber and composite decking
7.3 Changes in level		Deleted, covered by other clauses
	4.3 Floor coverings	New heading
7.4 Fixed or recessed floor coverings – Soft floor coverings	4.3.1 Carpets and other soft flexible materials	Pile height and backing thickness dimensions altered to align with NCC. Where transitions are >5mm, permitted maximum gradient up to 10mm is altered to 1:4. Reference to exposed edges being fastened along their entire length is deleted; range of trims is acknowledged. Sentence added to clarify this applies to rugs, mats and temporary matting/rugs.
Figure 8	Figure 8	Cover strip between two soft floor coverings is deleted. Transition strip between carpet and vinyl is added. Name of figure altered in attempt to rectify typing error, but inadvertently retained the word ‘part’ while adding the word ‘path’.
7.4.2 Recessed matting		Deleted, covered by other clauses
7.5 Grates	4.4	Maximum length added to slotted openings. Note about slotted openings less than 8mm wide has become clause (c).
	4.5 Timber decking	Clause added regarding width of boards, gaps and maximum vertical tolerance. Potential materials discussed in notes.
8 Signage	5
8.1 Form of signs	5.1	Changed BCA to NCC and deleted reference to BCA Specification D3.6. Clause (a) references NCC in relation to where signage is required.
Figure 9 (in parts)	Figure 9(A) Figure 9(B) Figure 9(C) Figure 9(D) Figure 9(E) Figure 9(F)	Notes added to Figures 9(A) to 9(E) that Braille is not to scale in the figures. Notes deleted from Figure 9(F).
8.2 Symbols indicating access for people with disabilities	5.2
8.2.1 International symbol of access	5.2.1
Figure 10	Figure 10
Figure 11	Figure 11
8.2.2 International symbol for deafness	5.2.2	Clause (d) added to clarify that the letter ‘T’ or any other symbol or lettering is not to be included.
Figure 12	Figure 12
9 Tactile ground surface indicators	6
10 Walkways, ramps and landings	7
10.1 General	7.1	Clause (d) amended so all walkways and landings have a maximum crossfall of 1:40. Cautionary note added suggesting to consider tolerance in design. Note relating to Appendix C is deleted.
10.2 Walkways	7.2	Clause (a)(iii) adds balustrade or similar barrier as options. Added requirement in relation to width of walkways at street kerbs.
10.3 Ramps	7.3
Figure 13	Figure 13	Dashed line added to indicate the 600mm straight part from a curved approach
Figure 14	Figure 14
Figure 15(A)	Figure 15(A)	Dashed line added to indicate optional vertical post locations. Also additional options added to differentiate post mounted and wall mounted handrails. Front elevations deleted.
Figure 15(B)	Figure 15(B)	Front elevation deleted. Termination detail added.
Figure 16	Figure 16
Figure 17	Figure 17	Note added referencing AS 1428.4.1 and clarifying that TGSIs can be reduced where a landing is less than 3m.
Figure 18	Figure 18
Figure 19	Figure 19
10.4 Curved walkways, ramps and landings	7.4	Clarification added to define curved ramps as having a maximum inside radius of 5m. Clause (f) added to specify 1500mm long straight landings where curved walkways and ramps begin and terminate.
Figure 20	Figure 20
10.5 Threshold ramps	7.5	Clauses (e) and (f) added to clarify sharp transitions are required at top, bottom and tapered/splayed sides. Also clarification added that the splay is required when the ramp extends past the wall face.
Figure 21	Figure 21	Plan view added with options A and B
10.6 Step ramps	7.6
10.6.1 General	7.6.1	Clauses (d), (e), (f) added to clarify alignment to the path of travel and sharp transitions are required at the top, bottom and tapered/splayed edges.
	7.6.2 Edges to ramps	Extracted into separate clause number. Clarifies that edges can be tapered/splayed where ramp does not abut a wall (in addition to where there is pedestrian cross-traffic). Minimum height of wall as a barrier is removed.
Figure 22(A)	Figure 22(A)
Figure 22(B)	Figure 22(B)	Min height of barrier amended to 150mm.
10.6.2 Finishes	7.6.3
10.7 Kerb ramps	7.7
10.7.1 Alignment	7.7.1	Clarification added that kerb ramps are to align with the kerb ramp on the opposite side of the crossing
Figure 23 (in parts)	Figure 23(A)
	Figure 23(B)	Notes added to 23(B) re alignment of kerb ramps and edges of ramps.
10.7.2 Profile	7.7.2
10.7.3 Finishes	7.7.3
Figure 24(A)	Figure 24(A)	Added reference to location of wall/barrier/edge of path
Figure 24(B)	Figure 24(B)	Added reference to location of wall/barrier/edge of path. Also altered top landing to indicate min 600 extension beside a path.
Figure 24(C)	Figure 24(C)	Added reference to location of wall/barrier/edge of path. Also altered top landing to indicate min 600 extension beside a path.
10.8 Landings	7.8
10.8.1 Walkways and ramps	7.8.1
10.8.2 Step ramps	7.8.2
10.8.3 Kerb ramps	7.8.3
Figure 25(A)	Figure 25(A)
Figure 25(B)	Figure 25(B)
Figure 25(C)	Figure 25(C)
Figure 25(D)	Figure 25(D)
11 Stairways	8
11.1 Stair construction	8.1	Clause (f) clarifies the nosing strip is to have a single strip, not multistrip, and have a continuous colour. A note is added referring to Appendix B re luminance contrast.
Figure 26(A)	Figure 26(A)
Figure 26(B)	Figure 26(B)
Figure 26(C)	Figure 26(C)	Dashed line added to indicate optional vertical post locations. Also additional options added to differentiate post mounted and wall mounted handrails. Front elevations deleted.
Figure 26(D)	Figure 26(D)	Front elevation deleted. Termination detail added.
Figure 27(A)	Figure 27(A)	Clarification added about having one contrasting colour
Figure 27(B)	Figure 27(B)	Clarification added about having one contrasting colour
	Figure 27(C)	New figure to permit a turn down >10mm providing it contrasts with the inlaid strip
11.2 Stairway handrails	8.2
Figure 28	Figure 28	Details added to sectional elevation
12 Handrails	9	Note added that handrails include any extensions. Clause (b) amended to enable handrail diameter up to 52mm. Clause (c) clarifies it is in relation to reducing likelihood of injury. Clause (e) has added sub-clauses specifying where handrail heights may vary and giving a construction toleration.
Figure 29	Figure 29	Parts (a) and (b) amended with maximum 52mm dimension and adding balustrade as an option for an adjacent obstruction.
13 Doorways, doors and circulation space at doorways	10
13.1 Luminance contrast	10.1 Doorway identification	Heading amended. Notes added about the objection of this clause and referring to Appendix B re luminance contrast.
13.2 Clear opening of doorways	10.2	Maximum reveal depth added.
Figure 30	Figure 30	Maximum reveal depth added. Detail for pivot hinge door added.
13.3 Circulation spaces at doorways on a continuous accessible path of travel	10.3
13.3.1 General	10.3.1	Clause clarifies that the Figures detail minimum dimensions, and that doorway circulation spaces may overlap other circulation spaces. Cautionary note added suggesting that tolerance be considered in design. Note added to consider required clearances for door controls.
13.3.2 Swinging doors	10.3.2
Figure 31	Figure 31
Figure 32	Figure 32
13.3.3 Sliding doors	10.3.3
13.3.3.1 General	10.3.3.1
13.3.3.2 Cavity sliding doors	10.3.3.2
13.3.3.3 Surface-mounted doors	10.3.3.3	Method of calculating additional circulation space for surface-mounted sliding doors has altered. Maximum reveal depth shifted to clause 10.2 and Fig. 30.
Figure 33	Figure 33	Consolidated so that the method of calculating additional circulation space is the same for the different approaches listed.
13.3.4 Power operated doors	10.3.4	Altered to permit power operated swing doors to have reduced circulation spaces, as well as sliding doors.
13.4 Distance between successive doorways in passages in an accessible path of travel	10.3.5
Figure 34	Figure 34	Clarifies that where two circulation boxes are shown, there is an option between the two.
13.5 Door controls	10.4
13.5.1 General	10.4.1
13.5.2 Design and performance	10.4.2	Clause (b) clarifies that the clearance is to be throughout the operation range and to specify that it is measured to whichever is closer (back plate or door face). Clause (e) amended to shift the exemption for fire and smoke doors into Note 3. Door closers shifted to clause (f). New clause (f) specifies that door closers (other than fire and smoke doors) need adjustable delayed action or hold-open function. Previous clause (f) about outward opening doors shifted to new clause (g).
Figure 35(A)	Figure 35(A)	Options added to depict different handle scenarios.
Figure 35(B)	Figure 35(B)	Options added to depict different handle scenarios.
Figure 36	Figure 36	Part (a) added with requirements for glazed viewing panels.
13.5.3 Location	10.4.3	Clause (a) amended to include controls that need to be pushed or pulled, and to specify minimum 500mm clearance from an internal corner (except where AS 1735.12 permits otherwise in lifts). Clause (b) clarifies that controls being pushed are in the direction of travel.
13.5.4 Power-operated door controls	10.4.4
14 Switches and general purpose outlets (power points)	11
14.1 General	11.1	Cautionary note added suggesting to consider tolerance in design. Note added that controls include heating and cooling controls, ventilation controls, security controls or similar.
14.2 Accessible sole-occupancy units and accessible sanitary facilities	11.2
Figure 37	Figure 37
15 Sanitary facilities	12
15.1 General	12.1
15.2 Accessible unisex sanitary facilities	12.2
15.2.1 Water taps	12.2.1	Clause (d) uses term mixing valve outlet instead of mixing spout.
15.2.2 WC pan clearances	12.2.2
Figure 38	Figure 38
15.2.3 Seat	12.2.3	Clause (a) no longer requires minimal contours to the top surface. Clause (e) specifies options for contrasting elements. New clause (f) requires that the seat remain in the upright position when fully raised.
15.2.4 Backrest	12.2.4	Clarification added that this includes in sole-occupancy units. Clauses (b) to (e) contain dimensional requirements in rearranged order. New dimension added in clause (e) specifying the distance of the lower edge of the backrest from the front of the WC pan. New clause (f) specifies the backrest is to be located so that the seat will remain in the upright position when raised. New clause (g) requires that backrests in a sole-occupancy unit be capable of being removed and refitted.
Figure 39	Figure 39	Detail added to diagram reflecting dimensions listed in text. Cistern details removed.
15.2.5 Flushing control	12.2.5	Option to use electronic sensor or automatic flushing controls is added. Clarification added that the flushing control is not to be within the zone of the backrest or within 50mm of any grabrail.
Figure 40	Figure 40	Location options for wall mounted flushing controls have reduced. An optional cleaners tap location is shown.
15.2.6 Toilet paper dispenser	12.2.6	Added requirement that the toilet roll holder will project maximum 150mm.
Figure 41	Figure 41	Detail added to show grabrail location and dimension of seat height.
15.2.7 Grabrails	12.2.7	Amended to state that the rear grabrail may extend to the side wall where there is no obstruction (instead of requiring this).
Figure 42	Figure 42	The height of horizontal parts has an increased range. For rear grabrail, minimum 450mm from side of pan has been removed.
15.2.8 Circulation space	12.2.8
15.2.8.1 General	12.2.8.1	Clauses rearranged and separated into categories of encroachments below 900mm, and those with minimum 900mm clearance beneath and maximum 150mm projection. Backrest and cleaners tap added as permitted encroachments. Maximum height of wall cabinet shelving is removed. Clarification added that WC circulation space can overlap with the shower cubicle but shall remain clear of the shower seat in the folded position.
15.2.8.2 Baby change tables	12.2.8.2
Figure 43	Figure 43	Dimensions relating to grabrails removed. Note explains grabrails are covered in other clauses. Note added to refer to separate clause for allowable encroachments.
15.2.9 WC doors	12.2.9
15.2.10 Washbasins for unisex accessible sanitary facilities	12.2.10
15.3 Washbasins	12.3
15.3.1 General	12.3.1	Clause (a) reworded with same intent and clarifies maximum 100mm encroachment into WC circulation. Clause (b) adds that washbasin may encroach up to 100mm into the circulation space of a shower and lists figures for examples. Clause (c) explains permitted encroachment into door circulation spaces and references figures for examples. Clauses (d) to (g) renumbered from 2009 clauses (b) to (e). Explanation added about what constitutes ‘fittings’ and that washbasin circulation space may overlap with other circulation spaces.
Figure 44(A)	Figure 44(A)	Typing error fixed in note to say lever instead of level. Extra 10mm in height offered for top of semi-recessed washbasin. Dimension added for clearance from knees to operable parts.
Figure 44(B)	Figure 44(B)	Dimension added for clearance from knees to operable parts.
15.3.2 Accessible sole occupancy units	12.3.2	Clause (c) shifted to clause 12.3.1. New clause (d) shifted to new clause (c). Clause (d)(ii)(B) shifted to (d)(ii)(C). New clause (d)(ii)(B) clarifies that the shelf can be within doorway circulation space in accordance with referenced figures.
Figure 45	Figure 45
Figure 46	Figure 46
15.4 Fixtures and fittings within a sanitary facility	12.4
15.4.1 Mirrors	12.4.1	Reworded to clarify dimensions where mirror is located above the washbasin or adjacent to it.
15.4.2 Shelves	12.4.2	Clause (a) alters maximum depth of shelf to be equivalent to the bowl plus its front and back flanges. Clause (b)(i) maximum length increased.
15.4.3 Soap dispensers, towel dispensers and similar fittings	12.4.3
15.4.4 Clothes-hanging devices	12.4.4
15.4.5 Sanitary disposal unit	12.4.5
15.4.6 Switches and general purpose outlets	12.4.6	Note added to refer to different standard for wiring rules.
15.5 Showers	12.5
15.5.1 General	12.5.1	Clause (a), height of circulation space increased. Clothes hanging devices added as permitted encroachments into circulation space. New clause (d) to specify taps are to be on the side of the shower support rail closest to the folding seat. New clause (e) clarifies that shower circulation space can overlap with other circulation spaces.
15.5.2 Floor and waste outlet	12.5.2	Clause (b) amended to permit use of linear drains. Clause (c) amended to include falls for linear drains.
Figure 47	Figure 47	Part (a) amended to show permitted washbasin encroachment and note the central floor waste is optional.
Figure 48	Figure 48	Part (b) added to given more flexibility to wall outlet location.
Figure 49	Figure 49
15.5.3 Opening shower screens	12.5.3 Shower screens	Heading changed. Removes reference to specific dimensions, retaining reference to general circulation space requirements.
15.5.4 Grabrails	12.5.4	Clarification added that where WC and shower grabrail dimensions overlap, the grabrail is to be continuous. Note added that a shower curtain can lay over a grabrail.
15.5.5 Shower head support grabrail	12.5.5
15.5.6 Shower head	12.5.6 Shower head and hose	Clause (c) and (d) shifted to (d) and (e) respectively. New clause (c) inserted with requirements for location of wall outlet for shower hose. Note added about backflow prevention devices being covered by NCC Vol 3.
15.5.7 Soap holder	12.5.7
15.5.8 Taps	12.5.8 Shower taps	Clause clarifies it relates to shower taps. Maximum lever length added.
15.5.9 Folding seat	12.5.9	Note added that a portable shower chair may be provided in assisted residential care buildings instead of the folding seat.
15.5.10 Clothes hanging devices	12.5.10
	12.5.11 Backflow prevention device and restrictor device	New clause added explaining requirements for backflow prevention device and restrictor device, where applicable.
15.6 Circulation spaces in accessible sanitary facilities	12.6 Combined sanitary facilities	Clause reworded as dimensions are covered by other clauses. Subclauses have been shifted into main clause. Encroachment of washbasin is extended to other circulation spaces and other permitted encroachments are mentioned with cross references to relevant clauses. Clarification added that a shower seat in the folded up position is not to encroach into circulation spaces.
Figure 50	Figure 50(A) Figure 50(B)	Additional diagrams provided showing examples of bathroom configurations with overlapping circulation spaces and showing where shower hose backflow prevention device and/or restrictor device required.
Figure 51(A)	Figure 51(A)	Note added that knee/toe clearance does not need to align with the wall surface.
Figure 51(B)	Figure 51(B)	Note added that knee/toe clearance does not need to align with the wall surface.
Figure 52		Figure deleted and information shifted to Figure 50(B).
16 Sanitary compartment for people with ambulant disabilities	13
16.1 General	13.1	Seat height and standard WC projection added to text. Cautionary note added suggesting to consider tolerance in design.
16.2 Grabrails	13.2	Clarification added that horizontal and angled parts are to be continuous.
16.3 Doors	13.3	Cross reference added to Figure 34(b) relating to circulation spaces between successive doors.
16.4 Signage	13.4	Cross reference added to Figure 9(C) relating to modular form of signs.
16.5 Coat hook	13.5 Clothes hanging device
Figure 53(A)	Figure 52(A)	Figure number amended for remaining figures. Clarification added for dimension of top of seat. Length of angled grabrail component rectified.
Figure 53(B)	Figure 52(B)	Clarification added that where two circulation boxes are indicated, these are options 1 and 2. Additional example provided showing recessed washbasin clear of circulation.
17 Grabrails	14	Note added that an exposed end of a grabrail is a potential hazard.
18 Assembly buildings	15
18.1 Wheelchair seating spaces	15.1
18.2 Surfaces	15.2
18.3 Spatial requirements	15.3
Figure 54(A)	Figure 53(A)
Figure 54(B)	Figure 53(B)
Figure 54(C)	Figure 53(C)
Figure 54(D)	Figure 53(D)
Figure 54(E)	Figure 53(E)
Appendix A Examples of kerbs (Informative)	Appendix A
Figure A1	Figure A.1
Appendix B The measurement of luminance contrast between building elements (Informative)	Appendix B
B1 General	B.1
B2 Luminance contrast requirements	B.2
B3 Measurement of luminance contrast – Laboratory	B.3 Measurement of luminance contrast – Non-contact method
B3.1 General	B.3.1
B3.2 Instrumentation	B.3.2
B3.3 Procedure	B.3.3
B3.4 Report	B.3.4
B4 Determination of luminance contrast	B.4
Table B1	Table B.1
Figure B1	Figure B.1
B5 Measurement of luminance contrast – On-site	B.5 Measurement of luminance contrast – Contact method
B5.1 General	B.5.1
B5.2 Instrumentation	B.5.2
B5.3 Procedure	B.5.3	Clause (d) equation amended to be consistent with other equation mentioned. Clause (e) deleted. Clauses (f) and (g) shifted to (e) and (f) respectively.
B5.4 Report	B.5.4
Appendix C Summary of requirements for walkways, ramps and landings (Informative)	Appendix C Vision impairment (Informative)	Appendix (summary of requirements for walkways, ramps and landings) deleted and replaced with new informative appendix (vision impairment)
C.1 Understanding vision impairment		New content.
C.2 Visual acuity		New content.
C.3 Visual fields		New content.
C.4 A note on legal blindness		New content.
C.5 Contrast sensitivity		New content.
C.6 Luminance contrast		New content.
C.7 Depth perception		New content.
C.8 Glare sensitivity		New content.
C.9 Colour vision		New content.
Bibliography	Bibliography	Additional resources added.