An accessibility plan review checks a building’s design, or an existing layout, against the National Construction Code (NCC), AS 1428.1 and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010, then sets out exactly what needs to change to meet those standards. At Domatic Access, we run this review before drawings are locked in or a building is signed off, because catching a non-compliant doorway or ramp gradient on paper often costs less than fixing it once it is built.

This guide covers what a complete accessibility plan review actually involves, whether to run it in-house or bring in an external access consultant, the audit tools we use, and the questions worth asking before you book one.

What Does an Accessibility Plan Review Involve?

An accessibility plan review is a line-by-line check of architectural drawings, or a physical site if the building already exists, against the accessibility provisions of the NCC, AS 1428.1 and the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010. The output is a written report that lists every non-compliance item, references the specific clause it fails, and recommends a fix.

A thorough accessibility plan review typically checks:

• Path of travel and circulation space, including ramp gradients no steeper than 1:14
• Door and corridor widths, to confirm genuine wheelchair clearance rather than a nominal opening size
• Sanitary facility dimensions and grab rail placement against AS 1428.1
• Accessible parking bay counts, dimensions and location relative to the main entrance
• Signage, luminance contrast and tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) at hazards and changes of level

In-House Audit or External Access Consultant: Which Should You Use?

Architects and building teams can run a first-pass check internally, but access compliance is a specialised, standards-heavy discipline. An in-house review often misses the detail that a dedicated access consultant is trained to catch. The NCC updates its access provisions periodically, and AS 1428.1 compliance turns on precise measurements.

Domatic Access provides an independent accessibility plan review that carries weight with building surveyors and certifiers precisely because it is external and defensible. For a project of any complexity, our recommendation is to use an in-house team for concept design, then bring in an access consultant to formally review the plans before they go to a building surveyor or certifier.

Accessibility Audit Tools We Use During a Plan Review

A plan review is only as reliable as the tools and references behind it. Our plan reviews are carried out against current AS 1428.1 and NCC provisions using:

• Laser measuring devices to verify door widths, ramp gradients and circulation space on-site
• Luminance contrast meters to test signage and tactile indicator compliance
• A structured checklist mapped directly to NCC Volume One (Part D4) and AS 1428.1 clauses, so every finding is referenced
• Drawing markup software to produce an annotated report the design team can act on directly

Key Questions to Ask Before Booking an Accessibility Plan Review

Not every accessibility plan review is built the same way. Before you book one, it is worth asking the consultant:

• Which stage will the review happen at? Is it at concept design, planning approval, or prior to a Building Permit or Construction Certificate submission?
• Will the report cite specific NCC and AS 1428.1 clauses, or provide general commentary only?
• Is a follow-up review included once changes are made, to confirm the fix actually resolves the issue?
• Can the report be used to support a certifier submission or defend against a DDA complaint later?

What Happens After the Review: Fixing Non-Compliance Items

A plan review is only useful if the findings actually get actioned. Once we issue a report, most clients work through non-compliance items in order of cost and risk, starting with anything that would trigger a certifier rejection or a straightforward DDA complaint, such as an undersized doorway or a missing accessible bathroom layout.

Where a fix is not practical within the existing design, for example on a heritage site or an awkward existing floor plate, the next step is usually a performance solution rather than a straight redesign. Domatic Access can prepare that documentation as a follow-on from the plan review, so the same standards-referenced findings carry through into the alternative design justification without starting the assessment over from scratch.

Why Melbourne Projects Get a Plan Review Before Construction Begins

Fixing an access issue on paper during design is more cost-effective than correcting it once concrete is poured or a fitout is complete. Domatic Access provides accessibility plan reviews for architects, developers, builders and property owners across Melbourne and Victoria, servicing projects nationwide. Getting the plan review right the first time reduces the risk of certifier delays, costly retrofits and DDA complaints down the track.

Book an Accessibility Plan Review With Domatic Access

If you need an accessibility plan review before your project goes to certification, call Domatic Access on 03 8375 9622 or email info@domaticaccess.com.au.