Creating office spaces that support people with disabilities isn’t just good practice, it’s fundamental to building respectful, practical and high-performing workplaces.
For Queensland businesses, designing an office that is inclusive and compliant with disability access standards is both a legal requirement and a smart way to future-proof your space.
But it’s about more than just compliance. Thoughtful office design removes both physical and social barriers, allowing staff, clients and visitors to feel welcome and participate fully.
This guide unpacks how to meet and exceed accessibility standards in your office, looking at key legal requirements in Queensland, common design pitfalls, and practical, everyday solutions—from office wheelchair accessories to signage and sensory considerations.
Understanding the Premises Standards
The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010, commonly known as the Premises Standards, provide the benchmark for accessible design across Australia.
These standards aim to provide equal access to facilities, especially for people with mobility, sensory, or cognitive impairments.
Key features required under the standards include:
- Step-free entrances
- Wider internal doors and corridors
- Accessible toilet facilities
- Reinforced walls in bathrooms for grab rails
- Visual alarms and tactile signage
These elements not only ensure legal compliance but also improve the everyday experience for employees and visitors with disabilities. In Queensland, further guidance can be found on the Business Queensland website.
Why Disability Access Matters in Queensland Workplaces
Accessibility isn’t just a box tick, it’s about creating a workplace that genuinely works for everyone. For Queensland businesses, that means making it easier for all staff, clients and visitors to feel confident, safe and included from the moment they arrive.
According to the Australian Disability Network, Dignified Access is about ensuring people can enter, move through and interact with your workplace without unnecessary barriers, delays or discomfort. It’s about equity and independence, not just compliance.
Here are 10 practical ways to support dignified access in your office:
1.Make your entrance inviting – Share access info on your website, including lifts, potential noise, or photos, so visitors know what to expect.
2. Provide an inclusive welcome – A multi-height reception desk and clear check-in instructions make a big difference.
3. Design for movement – Leave enough space for mobility devices and consider acoustic treatment for meeting rooms.
4. Improve bathroom access – Automated doors and signage help clarify appropriate use of accessible toilets.
5. Make kitchens functional for all – Keep tea, coffee and appliances within easy reach.
6. Keep storage user-friendly – Add U-shaped handles, maintain clear walkways and avoid clutter.
7. Offer adaptable workstations – Provide flexible setups, accessible power points and involve staff in workstation adjustments.
8. Create quiet zones – Design calming spaces for people who need time away from visual or auditory noise.
9. Be mindful of sensory factors – Pay attention to lighting, noise, air quality and scents.
10. Listen to your team – Consult people with lived experience to guide improvements and ensure real inclusion.
By making these considerations part of your day-to-day operations, you’re not only complying with legal standards—you’re building a more respectful and supportive workplace for everyone.
What Makes an Office Disability-Accessible?
Translating the principles of dignified access into physical office design means ensuring every element supports safe, independent use for a wide range of physical, sensory and cognitive needs. This starts at the entry and extends to every detail from layouts, furniture and lighting, to signage and sound.
Step-Free Access and Automatic Entry Points
Entrances should provide level or ramped access in accordance with the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010. Ramps must have a gentle gradient and handrails where necessary. Automatic doors are recommended to enable independent access for people using wheelchairs or mobility aids. These features reduce physical barriers and are essential in emergency situations where quick, unassisted exit from the building may be required for individuals with limited mobility.
Wider Doorways and Corridors
To meet accessibility guidelines, doorways must be at least 850mm wide to accommodate standard wheelchairs and mobility devices. Corridors should also be wide enough to allow two people to pass side-by-side, ideally a minimum of 1000mm to 1200mm. This is important not only for everyday movement but also for emergency evacuations. Doors should be easy to open or fitted with automatic mechanisms, where possible to reduce physical effort.
Accessible Toilet Facilities
Accessible toilets are a critical component of thoughtful office design. These facilities should include:
- Grab rails for support
- Low-level basins with easy-turn taps
- Emergency call buttons
- Ample turning space for wheelchairs
The layout must also consider privacy and ease of use.
Office Furniture and Workstations
Signage and Navigation Aids
Clear, accessible signage supports people with visual, cognitive or learning impairments. To meet accessibility best practice, signs should be:
- Mounted at an accessible height
- Clear and easy to read, using large fonts and high-contrast colours
- Equipped with tactile features such as Braille and raised text
Important locations such as toilets, lifts and emergency exits must be consistently and clearly marked. Building layouts should also be intuitive and uncluttered to reduce confusion.
Sensory Considerations
Lighting, noise levels and temperature control all impact people with sensory sensitivities, including neurodiverse employees. Consider:
- Adjustable lighting options
- Acoustic panelling to reduce background noise
- Individual climate controls
- Quiet rooms or calm areas for downtime
These elements help reduce overstimulation and support focus and comfort for all staff.
Disability Support Services in the Workplace
Accessibility goes beyond design. Incorporating office disability services, such as access consultants and occupational therapists, ensures that spaces are evaluated professionally and adapted to meet individual needs.
These services may include:
- Accessibility audits
- Workplace modifications
- Employee support plans
- Staff training and awareness initiatives
Creating a central office of disability access or assigning a workplace inclusion officer can help manage ongoing improvements and feedback loops.
Common Disability Access Issues in Offices
Despite growing awareness, many office spaces still face persistent disability access issues, including:
- Inadequate entry points (steps with no ramp alternative)
- Small or poorly designed lift access
- Lack of accessible parking or drop-off areas
- Narrow doorways or obstructed pathways
- Poor signage or inadequate lighting
Addressing these issues proactively reduces barriers and ensures all employees and visitors feel welcome and supported.
Legal and Regional Considerations
For businesses operating in Queensland, state-specific regulations must be followed in line with national standards. The Queensland Government provides detailed guidelines for building accessibility, especially for new developments and major renovations.
It’s also important to recognise that regulations may vary slightly between states. Businesses should review the relevant resources for their location, including:
- New South Wales (NSW) – NSW Government Accessibility Standards
- Victoria (VIC) – Victorian Building Authority
- Tasmania (TAS) – Tasmanian Planning Commission
- Northern Territory (NT) – NT Government Access Guidelines
- Western Australia (WA) – Disability Services Commission WA
- South Australia (SA) – Inclusive SA Framework
Consulting local laws ensures consistency and full compliance with the legal obligations in your area.
Inclusion Beyond Compliance
Planning an office space with disability access in mind is not just about meeting minimum requirements; it’s about embedding accessibility and fairness into the workplace culture. While compliance with the Premises Standards provides a basic foundation, going beyond those standards demonstrates a genuine commitment to equality and to addressing the diverse needs of employees.
Some forward-thinking practices include:
- Hybrid or remote working arrangements for employees who face mobility challenges
- Fair and accessible recruitment methods and application processes
- Regular reviews of accessibility through staff feedback
- Use of assistive technologies, such as screen readers or voice-to-text software
When these elements are built into the overall approach to office design and human resources, the result is a working environment where everyone is supported and able to perform at their best.
Creating a Disability-Accessible Office Space with Prima Commercial Fitouts
Creating a disability accessible office space is a vital aspect of modern workplace planning. From step free entrances to accessible toilet facilities and thoughtful consideration of sensory needs, every feature plays a role in establishing a respectful and accommodating environment.
By approaching office disability access in a comprehensive way—including the use of office wheelchair accessories, addressing common disability access issues, and selecting appropriate furniture for office chair disability requirements—organisations can provide better support for everyone in the workplace.
Prima Commercial Fitouts has decades of experience in creating disability accessable spaces, supporting businesses through tailored commercial fitout solutions that strike the right balance between accessibility, legal compliance, and practical functionality.
Remember, a truly accessible office is more than a legal obligation, it is a strategic investment in your team’s wellbeing and performance.