The Premises Standards will further the Commonwealth Government’s social inclusion agenda by progressively ensuring that people with disability and the ageing population have better access to a wide range of public buildings. Improved building access will afford older people and people with mobility, vision and hearing impairments greater opportunities to access employment and services and to connect with family, friends and the community.

The Premises Standards will also make a significant contribution to the Australian Government’s ten-year National Disability Strategy, which is being developed with States and Territories through the Council of Australian Governments. The vision for the National Disability Strategy is of an inclusive Australian society that enables people with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens.

The Premises Standards are the product of extensive consultation with stakeholders, culminating in the release of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs report, ‘Access All Areas’, in June 2009.

The Government tabled their response to the report on 15 March 2010 which accepted, accepted in part, or accepted in principle eighteen recommendations made by the committee.

The Premises Standards will commence operation on 1 May 2011, in line with the adoption of the Building Code of Australia in each State and Territory. This will allow States and Territories time to adopt the Premises Standards within their building law frameworks.