The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2011 came into effect on 1 May 2011, to provide people with disabilities; dignified and equitable access to buildings, improving opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in and contribute to the community.

The Standard applies to new buildings and upgrades to existing buildings (triggers for compliance with the current NCC) occurring after 1 May 2011.

The Australian Standard for Accessible Car Parking adopts a “shared common space” requirement to car parking spaces for easier and safer vehicle access for wheelchair users to side transfer into motor vehicles and allow sufficient space for ramped side access, instead of rear access into traffic.

Our General Requirements for Accessible Car Parking document provides a guide to accessible car parking requirements, including, but not limited to; size of car parking spaces, shared common space requirements, inclusion of bollards, signage.

The number of Accessible Car Parking spaces required will vary, depending on the classification and use of the building and is based on the ratio of the total number of car parking spaces provided. “If the carpark serves a multi-classified building, the number of accessible car parking spaces required should be calculated by determining the number of spaces serving each of the classifications”.

Note | Accessible Car Parking is not required where there is less  than a total of 5 car parking spaces and where users do not park their own vehicles, eg valet.

The below table provides information on determining the number of accessible car parking spaces required.

Class of Building bb