Accessible Parking Space Requirements and Dimensions

What This Requirement Covers

Accessible parking space requirements set the minimum provision, dimensions and markings for carparking spaces reserved for people with disability to ensure safe, dignified access between vehicles and accessible building entrances, facilities and pathways. These requirements exist to remove barriers to access, accommodate assistive equipment such as wheelchairs and hoists, and provide clear, enforceable guidance for designers, builders and certifiers. They apply to new and renovated carparking associated with buildings and land uses required to be accessible under the NCC and associated state/territory schedules.

The National Construction Code (NCC) Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions in Part D (Access and egress) identify when accessible carparking must be provided, how many spaces are required for different building classes and situations, and require conformance with the applicable Australian Standard for detailed dimensions and layout. The requirements are relevant to designers, certifiers, builders, facility managers and local authorities responsible for ensuring compliance with disability access provisions.

Key Requirements

1. Where required: Accessible carparking spaces must be provided where a building or carpark is required to be accessible under the NCC, subject to listed exemptions (see D4D6) and state schedules. See: NCC Volume One, Part D, D4D6 "Accessible carparking" and D4D1 "Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions".
2. Number of spaces by building class (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)):
3. Class 1b and 3 (boarding houses, guest houses, hostels, lodging houses, backpackers, residential part of hotel/motel): number calculated by multiplying total carparking spaces by the percentage of accessible sole-occupancy units to total sole-occupancy units, or accessible bedrooms to total bedrooms - round up to the next whole figure. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(a))
4. Class 5, 7, 8, 9c: 1 accessible space per 100 carparking spaces or part thereof. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(b))
5. Class 6: 1 accessible space per 50 carparking spaces or part thereof for up to 1 000 spaces; plus 1 additional accessible space per each additional 100 spaces or part thereof in excess of 1 000. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(c))
6. Class 9a (hospitals and clinics):
7. Hospital non-outpatient area: 1 per 100. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(d)(i))
8. Hospital outpatient area: 1 per 50 for up to 1 000 spaces, plus 1 per additional 100 beyond 1 000. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(d)(ii))
9. Nursing home: 1 per 100. Clinic/day surgery (not part of hospital): 1 per 50. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(d)(iii)-(iv))
10. Class 9b (schools/assembly): School - 1 per 100; other assembly buildings - 1 per 50 up to 1 000, then 1 per additional 100 space beyond 1 000. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(e))
11. Standard of layout and dimensions: Accessible carparking spaces must comply with AS/NZS 2890.6 (parking facilities - Off-street parking for people with disability) as required by NCC Volume One D4D6(1)(c). The AS specifies dimensions, gradients, adjacent access aisles, signage and markings. (NCC Volume One, D4D6(1)(c))
12. Key dimensional requirements from AS/NZS 2890.6 (refer to the Standard for full tables and diagrams):
13. Car bay width - typical minimums: for a standard accessible car space with an adjacent access aisle the bay width is commonly 2 400 mm to 2 600 mm depending on configuration; consult AS/NZS 2890.6 diagrams for specific bay types (parallel, angled, perpendicular) and whether the space is a single or shared aisle.
14. Access aisle width - typically 1 200 mm minimum for a single-side access aisle; 1 800 mm for shared two-side aisle, or larger where hoists or carer access is required. Exact values and configurations are specified in AS/NZS 2890.6.
15. Length - standard bay length is typically 5 200 mm for perpendicular bays; variations apply for different bay angles and vehicle overhangs - see AS/NZS 2890.6.
16. Gradient/longitudinal crossfall - AS/NZS 2890.6 prescribes maximum gradients and crossfalls for accessible bays and access aisles to ensure safe transfers; check the Standard for the permitted maximum longitudinal grade and crossfall values in percent or degrees.
17. Kerb ramps and tactile indicators - where a path of travel is required between the carparking area and building entry, comply with AS 1428.1 for pedestrian access and kerb ramps and with the NCC Part D clauses addressing tactile ground surface indicators and signage (NCC Volume One, D4D2, D4D7).
18. Identification and signage:
19. Accessible bays must be signed and marked in accordance with AS/NZS 2890.6 and NCC signage provisions. Note: NCC Volume One D4D6(1)
20. (d) provides that identification signage need not be provided where there are a total of not more than 5 carparking spaces on the site.
21. Relationship to other access requirements:
22. Accessible parking must connect to an accessible path of travel and meet requirements in NCC Volume One Part D (including ramps, paths, and signage) and, for housing, relevant provisions in NCC Volume Two (e.g., H8 Livable housing design where step-free access is required for Class 1a). See NCC Volume One D4D2, D4D6 and NCC Volume Two H8D1/H8P1 as applicable.
23. Australian Standards referenced:
24. AS/NZS 2890.6 - Off-street parking for people with disability (primary dimensional/layout Standard referenced by the NCC)
25. AS 1428.1 - Design for access and mobility - general requirements for access - used for kerb ramps, tactile indicators and continuity of accessible routes and signage (referenced in NCC Volume One D4D2, D4D7)
26. Exact clause references to cite when documenting compliance:
27. NCC Volume One, Part D - Access and egress: see D4D1 (Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions), D4D2 (General building access requirements), D4D5 (Exemptions), D4D6 (Accessible carparking) and D4D7 (Signage).
28. Australian Standard: AS/NZS 2890.6 (specific clause and figure references are found inside the Standard; use the Standard for precise bay, aisle and gradient numbers for each configuration).

Residential vs Commercial

1. Residential (Class 1/10 and short-term accommodation Class 1b):
2. Private single dwellings (Class 1a) are not typically required by the NCC to provide public accessible bays; instead, H8 Livable housing design in NCC Volume Two requires step-free path and accessible entrance to the dwelling and provision of an exclusive car parking space where applicable, but does not mandate public bay counts for a single detached house. See NCC Volume Two, H8P1 and H8D2.
3. For Class 1b (boarding houses, hostels, short-term accommodation) and the residential components of hotels or motels, accessible parking numbers are calculated based on the proportion of accessible units or accessible bedrooms (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(a)).
4. Commercial and institutional (Class 2-9):
5. For commercial, retail, offices, assembly, healthcare and industrial uses the NCC prescribes fixed ratios by building class - e.g., 1 per 50 or 1 per 100 depending on class and use intensity as summarised above (NCC Volume One, D4D6(2)(b)-(e)).
6. Large facilities such as shopping centres, hospitals and major assembly venues should follow the higher provision rates (or mixed rates for outpatient/inpatient areas) and must implement AS/NZS 2890.6 layouts.

Exceptions and Exemptions

1. Small carparks: NCC Volume One D4D6(1)
2. (d) - where there are not more than 5 carparking spaces in total on the site, accessible spaces need not be identified with signage that restricts use to people with disability.
3. Where parking service provided: NCC Volume One D4D6(1)
4. (b) - accessible spaces need not be provided in a Class 7a building or carparking area where a parking service is provided and direct access to any of the carparking spaces is not available to the public.
5. Areas exempt from access: NCC Volume One D4D5 lists areas not required to be accessible where access would be inappropriate for the use or would pose health or safety risk; accessible parking requirements correspondingly do not apply where the associated area is exempt.
6. Performance solutions: Where a Deemed-to-Satisfy solution is not used, a Performance Solution may be proposed. Any Performance Solution must meet the Performance Requirements in Part A/D and be documented to demonstrate equivalent or better access outcomes. See NCC Volume One D4D1(2).
7. State and territory schedules: State-specific schedules to the NCC may modify or extend these requirements; where a state schedule applies, follow the state provisions. (See State and Territory Variations below.)

State and Territory Variations

1. The NCC is a national code but each state and territory has schedules within the NCC (Schedules 4-12 in NCC Volume One) which may modify, add or replace national provisions. Designers and certifiers must always check the relevant state schedule.
2. Examples and common variations to check (not exhaustive):
3. Queensland - Schedule 7 may include variations relevant to access provisions and should be checked for any modifications to Part D requirements.
4. Other states - local council planning schemes, road authorities and state building regulators sometimes impose additional signage, disabled parking enforcement, or local dimensional preferences. Always verify against the state schedule in NCC Volume One and any state guidance or planning instruments.
5. Practical step: when preparing documentation, cite NCC Volume One Part D plus the applicable state schedule number (e.g., "NCC Volume One, Part D and Schedule X for [State]") and confirm whether the state schedule alters D4D6 or references a different Standard.

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Always reference AS/NZS 2890.6 for layout details - the NCC requires compliance with the Standard and that is where precise bay widths, access aisle widths, gradients and vehicle swept paths are specified. Use the Standard diagrams for perpendicular, angled and parallel bay layouts.
2. Early coordination - locate accessible bays closest to accessible entrances and align with an accessible path of travel complying with AS 1428.1. Place kerb ramps, tactile indicators and continuous step-free routes before construction begins.
3. Avoid relying solely on bay quantity - ensure each accessible bay meets dimensional, surface, gradient and signage requirements; a compliant number of noncompliant bays will still fail inspection.
4. Check combined use scenarios - for mixed-use developments, calculate required accessible bays for each building class or use as required by NCC Volume One D4D6(2) and provide the greater number where uses overlap or share parking.
5. Signage and enforcement - provide the correct international symbol of access marking and erect signage at the entry to the bay per AS/NZS 2890.6; remember the NCC exception for sites with 5 or fewer spaces only removes the signage requirement, not the suitability of the route if an accessible bay is provided.
6. Account for vehicle overhangs and circulation - design for realistic vehicle swept paths and overhangs; use the Standard’s vehicle templates and ensure access aisles are not obstructed by columns, landscaping or signposts.
7. Check state and local requirements early - confirm whether the state schedule to the NCC or local council adds requirements (for example different minimums, signage formats, or enforcement rules) and document compliance with both the NCC and any state schedule.

References (for compliance documentation)

1. NCC 2022 Volume One - Building Code of Australia, Part D (Access and egress): D4D1, D4D2, D4D5, D4D6, D4D7.
2. NCC 2022 Volume Two - Building Code of Australia: H8P1 and H8D2 (Livable housing design) for Class 1 dwellings.
3. AS/NZS 2890.6 - Off-street parking for people with disability (layouts, dimensions, gradients, signage).
4. AS 1428.1 - Design for access and mobility - general requirements for access (kerb ramps, tactile indicators, accessible paths).

Note: This article summarises the NCC and Standards-based requirements and identifies where precise dimensional values are specified in Australian Standards. For exact bay and aisle measurements, gradients and diagrammatic layouts use AS/NZS 2890.6 and AS 1428.1 directly and check your applicable state schedule in NCC Volume One for any modifications. If the Standard or the state schedule does not clearly resolve a complex or unusual situation, consult a registered building certifier or access consultant for a Performance Solution or formal advice.