AS 1428.1 (2021) is now the Standard for Compliance

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As of the 29th of July 2025, the 2021 edition of AS 1428.1 is the referenced Standard for compliance with the National Construction Code / Building Code of Australia (NCC / BCA) and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (often referred to as the Premises Standards).

The Premises Standards is one of the Disability Standards made under subsection 31(1) of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and contains the ‘Access Code’ which outlines accessibility requirements that must be met for DDA compliance for certain classes of new buildings and new parts of existing buildings undergoing refurbishment or extension. The requirements of the Premises Standards’ Access Code are based on the NCC / BCA access provisions.

The Premises Standards was amended on the 23rd of November 2024. One of the key changes is the Access Code now references the 2021 edition of AS 1428.1, except where Part H2 is applicable to Class 9b and Class 10 public transport buildings.

The amended Premises Standards was tabled in the Senate and House of Representatives in November 2024. The parliamentary process for the amended Premises Standards was completed on the 28th of July 2025, and on the 29th of July, the amended Premises Standards came into effect. To ensure the requirements of the NCC / BCA align with the Premises Standards’ Access Code, the NCC published NCC 2022 Amendment 2 which adopts AS 1428.1 (2021) as the referenced Standard for access, except where Part I2 is applicable to Class 9b and Class 10 public transport buildings.

Although largely unchanged from the 2009 edition, the 2021 edition of AS 1428.1 contains a number of new and updated definitions, editorial changes and clarifications, as well as some significant amendments to requirements, including requirements for:

• Visual indication / glazing decals

• Glazed viewing panels in doors

• Timber decking and boardwalks

• Carpet pile and backing thicknesses

• Drain grates

• Walkways

• Door threshold ramps

• Nosing strips (read more here)

• Handrails

• Door reveal depths

• Mounting locations for manual controls to power-operated doors

• Toilet paper dispensers

• Grabrails

• Drainage to accessible showers

Realm Access is providing free information sessions where we outline the new requirements of AS 1428.1 (2021) in detail.  If you would like to book a session for your organisation, please contact us.