Pillar 02 — Codes & Compliance
Architects · Designers · Students · Builders · PMs
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CoreSkills+ shares practical knowledge based on real project experience. This is not professional advice and does not replace the advice of a registered architect, certifier or qualified practitioner. Always verify information against the current NCC and relevant Australian Standards for your specific project and jurisdiction. Requirements may vary by state and building classification.

Accessible Path
of Travel

Getting everyone in — and through — the building, without surprises

Accessibility compliance in Australia is not complicated in principle — but in our experience, it fails on almost every project where it is treated as something to sort out later. This topic explains what accessible path of travel actually means, what elements are involved, the minimum widths that apply and where things go wrong on real projects.

  • An accessible path of travel is a continuous, unobstructed route that anyone — including a person in a wheelchair or using a mobility aid — can use independently to move through a building
  • Think of it as tracing a journey: from where a person arrives at the site boundary, all the way through the building to every area they are entitled to use — including amenities, reception, lifts and the accessible toilet door
  • The path is only complete if every part of it works. One step, one narrow doorway, or one missing ramp breaks the entire path
  • TWO DOCUMENTS WORK TOGETHER: The NCC 2022 Volume One tells you when and where an accessible path is required — which building classes need it and what areas must be accessible. AS 1428.1-2009 tells you how to build it — the dimensions, gradients and details. You need both
  • WHEN IS IT REQUIRED — NCC D4D2: Most Class 2–9 buildings require an accessible path of travel. Key triggers include: Class 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9a buildings — access to all areas normally used by occupants (NCC D4D2(6)); Class 9b schools and early childhood centres — all areas normally used by occupants (NCC D4D2(8)(a)); Class 2 buildings — common areas and path to entry of each sole-occupancy unit on an accessible level (NCC D4D2(4)); Class 1b buildings — to and within a number of dwellings per Table D4D2a
  • CHANGE OF USE AND ALTERATIONS: In our experience this is one of the most common compliance surprises. When a building undergoes a change of use, addition or alteration, the accessible path of travel may need to be upgraded to meet current NCC requirements — this cost is often not scoped early enough
  • EXEMPTIONS — NCC D4D5: Not every area must be accessible. Areas where access would be inappropriate due to the purpose of the area, or where access would pose a health or safety risk, are exempt. Any path of travel that only serves an exempt area is also exempt
Free download

Accessible Path of Travel
QA Checklist

The complete pre-issue checklist — boundary to accessible toilet door. Path of travel, ramps, kerb ramps, car parking, corridors, doors, lifts, stairs, handrails and tactile indicators.

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