Councils have a responsibility to create communities where all people are welcome, including those with disabilities and high support needs.
Changing Places is an initiative originally launched in the UK in 2006. The program seeks to create public toilet facilities designed for people with high support needs that are not met by traditional accessible toilets. Without access to a suitable facility, many people and their families may have to limit their outings in the community.
A Changing Places facility allows people to participate in all elements of community life, without having to limit their time out due to concerns about being able to access a suitable toilet.
As part of efforts to improve accessibility in its region, Maroondah City Council opened Australia’s first Changing Place in 2014.
Changing Places facilities include:
- Height-adjustable adult-sized
change tables - Constant-charging ceiling track hoist systems
- Centrally located peninsula toilets
- Additional circulation space, more than standard accessible toilets, allowing for one or two carers to assist the person to toilet and dress.
- Automatic doors with a clear opening of 950mm at minimum
- Privacy screens
Since that first facility opened at Ringwood Lake in 2014, more than 300 Changing Places have been created across Australia.
Federal support
The Federal Government has supported the delivery of these Changing Places by providing funding to local governments who do not already have a comparable facility.
The funding is being implemented in four tranches, in the 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 financial years.
As of 1 February 2024, the government has increased the funding on offer and all local governments are eligible to receive funding for a Changing Places facility, regardless of existing facilities.
Where previously the Federal Government had agreed to contribute one third of the total build cost for each facility, it has now committed to provide up to half of the total cost. The Federal Department of Social Services is responsible for the implementation, which is undertaken in partnership with state and territory governments.
As part of this funding agreement, all Changing Places facilities must be accredited by a Changing Places Assessor. Additionally, funding recipients must ensure that once the Changing Places facility is accredited, it is listed on the Changing Places website and the National Public Toilet Map.
Accreditation ensures that Changing Places are designed and constructed in accordance with the Changing Places Guidelines, giving users confidence that the design and construction is fit for purpose.
Once a Changing Places Assessor has assessed a facility and is satisfied it meets the requirements of the Changing Places Design Specification 2020, the council is then issued a Statement of Compliance. A copy of the Statement of Compliance must then be provided to the Department of Social Services.
Getting accredited
To guarantee a Changing Places accreditation – thereby gaining access to valuable funding, while providing a high-quality facility for the community – local governments can employ a specialised Accessibility Consultant.
Architecture & Access has been a provider of specialist access advice since 1998. It is the largest access consultancy business in Australia, with a presence in Melbourne and Brisbane, providing services across the country.
Its in-house Changing Places Assessors can review the documentation for a facility during the design phase to ensure the completed facility can be registered as an accredited Changing Place.
Design reviews of a facility can be completed at the schematic design and construction documentation stage of the project.
At the completion of construction, Architecture & Access will then conduct a site inspection to review the ‘as-built’ structure for final accreditation with Changing Places.
If the facility passes inspection, Architecture & Access will then issue the council with a Certificate of Compliance, which is suitable to submit to register the facility with Changing Places and achieve compliance with the Department of Social Services’ funding requirements.
To learn more, visit architectureandaccess.com.au
