Disability Standards compliance review checklist (AU)
Disability discrimination is both reactive (responding to complaints) and proactive (Standards compliance, reasonable adjustments). This checklist covers the 12 compliance areas most commonly tested in AHRC complaints.
This is a 12-step compliance review checklist for organisations covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Disability Standards. It covers premises, transport, education, accessible communications, reasonable adjustments, and the intersection with Fair Work and state anti-discrimination law. Use it as an annual compliance review.
The checklist
Scope under the DDA
Confirm activities covered by the DDA — employment, education, access to premises, goods and services, accommodation.
Premises Standards
For new buildings and upgrades, confirm compliance with the Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010.
Transport Standards
For transport operators and providers, review the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 compliance targets.
Education Standards
For education providers, review the Disability Standards for Education 2005 — enrolment, participation, adjustments, curriculum.
Reasonable adjustments in employment
Review the reasonable adjustments process for employees and candidates — trigger, consultation, documentation.
Digital accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA)
Review web and app accessibility — WCAG 2.2 AA is the working standard for Australian government and regulated entities.
Accessible information and communications
Confirm accessible formats are available — plain English, large print, Auslan, easy read, captioning of video.
Unjustifiable hardship framework
Document the unjustifiable hardship framework where relied on — nature of benefit/detriment, financial circumstances, steps to mitigate.
Complaint handling
Review the internal complaint process. AHRC complaints are generally attempted at conciliation before any court action.
Training
Confirm frontline staff training on disability awareness, reasonable adjustments, and complaint escalation.
State-based anti-discrimination overlay
Confirm alignment with state-based anti-discrimination Acts (NSW, Vic, Qld, WA etc) — overlapping protection.
Disability action plan
Consider lodging a Disability Action Plan with the AHRC — available as a defence against certain complaints where followed.
When this checklist applies
Use this checklist as an annual compliance review — especially for organisations in education, transport, retail, and digital services. Refresh on any major premises or digital project.
Common pitfalls
- Treating the Premises Standards as only applying to government buildings
- No documented reasonable adjustments process for employees
- WCAG non-compliance on the main website and customer apps
- Unjustifiable hardship argued without contemporaneous documentation
- No state-based anti-discrimination overlay considered
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio audits compliance with the DDA and the Disability Standards, drafts Disability Action Plans, and prepares training materials. See /practice-areas/commercial-lawyers or start a free trial.
This checklist is general. Specific sectors (education, health, transport) have detailed Standards — confirm current requirements for the relevant sector.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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