Clear disability access reports to support building permit documentation, design coordination and approval discussions.
Accessibility issues identified late in the permit process can delay approval and force the design team to revisit drawings that were otherwise complete. A disability access report provides a structured review of the proposed design against the relevant access provisions and gives the project team a practical schedule of actions.
ASN prepares disability access reports for architects, designers, building surveyors, developers, councils and property owners. Our reviews consider the National Construction Code (NCC), the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards and applicable Australian Standards, including the AS 1428 suite.
Request a fee proposal or call 1300 276 222 and send us your current drawings and project deadline.
When is a disability access report required?
There is no single answer for every building permit. The need for a report depends on the building classification, proposed work, approval pathway, existing conditions and the information required by the relevant building surveyor.
A disability access report may be requested when:
- A new building or substantial alteration includes accessible paths, facilities or public areas
- The building surveyor needs specialist access advice to assess the documentation
- The design contains complex interfaces or departures from deemed-to-satisfy provisions
- An existing building is being extended, refurbished or changed in use
- The project team wants to resolve access issues before lodging the permit application
- A previous review has identified non-compliances requiring coordinated responses
The building surveyor determines the documentation needed for the building permit. ASN works with the client and approval team to define an appropriate access review scope.
What does the report assess?
The assessment is tailored to the project. Relevant items may include:
- Continuous accessible paths of travel from site boundaries, parking and associated buildings
- Building entrances, doorways and circulation spaces
- Passenger lifts, ramps, stairs and handrails
- Accessible and ambulant sanitary facilities
- Accessible seating, counters, hearing augmentation and other use-specific provisions
- Signage and tactile ground surface indicators
- Luminance contrast requirements for relevant building elements
- Accessible car parking and shared areas
- Exemptions, concessions or project-specific access considerations
ASN identifies the applicable issue, references the relevant documentation and provides a recommended action. The report is intended to help the architect, designer and building surveyor close out findings efficiently.
Our building permit review process
- Confirm the brief: we review the project information, building classification, stage, drawing set and required timeframe.
- Assess the documents: drawings and supporting material are reviewed against the agreed access criteria.
- Issue the report: findings are presented clearly, with drawing references and recommended responses.
- Coordinate responses: where included in the scope, ASN answers project-team questions and reviews revised information.
- Finalise: an updated or close-out report can be provided when the agreed items have been addressed.
Documents to send us
Providing a coordinated drawing set helps avoid assumptions and reduces review time. Where available, include:
- Site plan, floor plans, elevations and sections
- Door and sanitary facility schedules
- Ramp, stair, lift and accessible facility details
- Landscape and external works drawings
- Building classification and project description
- Relevant planning permit conditions or building surveyor requests
- Previous access reports, RFIs or compliance schedules
- The required submission or approval date
If the documentation is still developing, ASN can undertake an early desktop access audit and identify the information needed for the next review.
Why review access before permit submission?
An early report can reduce avoidable rework by identifying issues while the design can still be changed. Common problems such as insufficient circulation space, incomplete accessible paths, non-compliant ramp geometry or unresolved sanitary facility details can affect several disciplines and become difficult to correct later.
A coordinated access review also gives the building surveyor a clearer record of the design assessment and helps the project team assign and close out actions.
What if the design cannot meet a deemed-to-satisfy provision?
Some projects have existing constraints or design conditions that make a standard solution impractical. This does not mean a Performance Solution is automatically appropriate or guaranteed to be accepted.
ASN can review the issue and advise whether a Performance Solution report may be a suitable pathway. Any alternative solution needs a defined assessment method, appropriate evidence and acceptance through the relevant building approval process.
Why choose ASN?
- Qualified consultants and Accredited Members of the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA)
- Disability access and inclusion consulting experience since 2002
- Practical understanding of NCC and AS 1428 documentation
- Clear findings designed for architects, designers and building surveyors to action
- Director-level insight informed by more than 20 years of lived experience of disability
Frequently asked questions
Can ASN certify or issue the building permit?
No. ASN provides specialist disability access consulting and reporting. The relevant building surveyor is responsible for the building permit and determines whether the submitted documentation satisfies the approval requirements.
Can you review drawings before they are final?
Yes. Early review is encouraged because it provides more opportunity to resolve access requirements within the design. A later review can then confirm how findings have been addressed.
How long does a disability access report take?
Turnaround depends on the project’s size, complexity, drawing quality, scope and current workload. Include your required date in the fee request so ASN can confirm availability and a realistic delivery timeframe before engagement.
Can you inspect the building after construction?
Yes. ASN also provides onsite access audits. The inspection scope should be agreed in advance and coordinated with the building surveyor and project team.
Request a fee proposal
Send the latest drawing set, project description, building classification, approval stage and required date. Request a fee proposal, review ASN’s pricing information or call 1300 276 222.