Accessible Living Housing Standards for Australia's New Homes

The new Livable Housing Design Guidelines from Liveable Housing Australia (LHA) set out standards to ensure that new homes are built in a way that's easier to access and navigate for everyone.

The purpose of these new standards is to ensure that new and renovated homes are designed to meet the needs of older Australians and those with a disability. This will have a significant impact on housing design in Australia, as it will make accessible housing a priority for developers, builders, and architects.

What Are the New Livable Housing Design Guidelines?

The guidelines lay out design requirements for three levels of access: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. All homes must meet the minimum requirements of Silver level to be certified by LHA.

At the LHA Silver level, there is a range of design elements required for each room to ensure it is flexible and easily adaptable for people with disabilities.

Some of the features include:

• Safe, step-free access from the street or parking area to the main entrance of the house
• Corridors and internal doors that are of adequate width for wheelchairs and mobility aids
• A ground-floor toilet with easy access
• Bathroom structure and design that supports safe access to the shower area and can be adapted by installing mobility aids at a later date
• Stairways that limit the risk of trip and fall injuries and that can be easily adapted at a later date

The LHA Gold level adds additional requirements such as:

• A kitchen and laundry designed for easy adaptation and movement
• Bedroom space on the ground floor
• Accessible switch and power point heights
• Doors and taps that are easy to operate for people with limited mobility

Finally, the Platinum level adds even more features, including:

• Clear space in the main living area to allow for mobility aids
• Low windowsills to allow the occupants to look out from a seated position
• Anti-slip floor coverings

The Impact of the New Requirements

The new requirements will set a precedent for accessible housing in Australia. Developers and construction companies will be required to design homes that are accessible for all Australians, regardless of age or physical limitations.

The new rules will be included in the National Construction Code (NCC 2022), and all new residential dwellings will need to comply from 1st May 2023.

In order to stay ahead of the curve, some Queensland builders have already started following these standards on a voluntary basis. As these homes are completed, building certifiers will be required to inspect and certify these works.

What Does This Mean for New Home Buyers?

For new home buyers, the guidelines mean that they will be able to easily move into a home that already meets their needs now and in the future, whatever their age or abilities.

Homes built to LHA standards will also be attractive to a wider range of potential buyers, increasing their saleability in the long run.

The LHA guidelines are an important step forward for accessible living standards in Australia and will make life easier for everyone who buys or lives in a new home. They will not only ensure more homes are built for those with mobility issues but also encourage more people to invest in property that is designed with their needs in mind.

Staying Ahead of Building Certification Requirements

Visual Approvals already offers a powerful software solution for building certifiers and surveyors to manage their building certifications and ensure compliance with state and national regulatory requirements.

We are currently in the process of integrating the new accessible housing standards and compliance requirements of the NCC 2022 into our system, ensuring that surveyors and certifiers are able to certify these dwellings with ease.

To find out more about our software and how it can streamline your operations, get in touch for a no-obligation demonstration.