The Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative
About Accessible Australia
The Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative (Accessible Australia) provides funding to make it easier for people with disability to access their communities. This includes both the built and natural environment.
Accessible Australia builds on the Changing Places initiative. Changing Places funds fixed and portable accessible toilet facilities. The 2022–23 October Budget provided $32.2 million from 2022 to 2026. This covered up to half of the funding needed to build Changing Places facilities across Australia.
From 2025, Accessible Australia replaces the Changing Places initiative.
Accessible Australia will fund:
- fixed Changing Places facilities
- portable Changing Places facilities
- portable amenities for inclusive beaches (for example beach wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs and accessible matting)
- portable amenities for inclusive national parks (for example all-terrain wheelchairs and accessible paths)
- fixed inclusive play spaces (for example liberty swings and all-access spinners).
Funding
We will deliver funding to state and territory governments through Federation Funding Agreements. Eligible amenities can receive up to 100% of the total build cost for:
- inclusive beaches
- inclusive national parks
- portable Changing Places facilities.
Half the build cost will be offered for:
- inclusive play spaces
- fixed Changing Places facilities.
Local councils and organisations cannot access this funding directly. To seek funding, please contact your state or territory government.
Funding recipients are responsible for all ongoing operational and maintenance costs.
We will also support states and territories to deliver and promote funded projects through:
- the Project Coordination Fund
- the Navigation, Access and Information Management Fund.
Timeline
Accessible Australia will roll out in 4 tranches:
- Tranche 1 (2024–25 financial year)
- Tranche 2 (2025–26 financial year)
- Tranche 3 (2026–27 financial year)
- Tranche 4 (2027–28 financial year).
Eligibility
All local government areas are eligible for Accessible Australia funding. This is the case even if there is existing accessible infrastructure.
Conditions
Facilities and amenities funded through Accessible Australia must:
- be purchased or the build started within 12 months of receiving funding
- be installed or built within 18 months of purchase or building commencement.
Meeting standards
States or territories must make sure all Changing Places facilities are accredited by a Changing Places assessor. This is so Changing Places are always built to standard. It means users can be confident that the design is fit for purpose.
The Commonwealth Accessible Australia Initiative
Inclusive Beaches
Access thisInclusive National Parks
Access thisInclusive Play Spaces
Access thisChanging Places (Fixed)
Access thisPortable Changing Places
Access thisFunding and Federation Funding Agreements
Access thisApplications, Project Plans and Progress Reporting
Access thisNavigation, Access and Information Management Fund
Access thisProject Coordination Fund
Access thisMore information
If you have any questions please email AccessibleAustralia@dss.gov.au.