AS/NZS 2890.6 Accessible Parking Compliance Guide

AS/NZS 2890.6: Accessible Parking Compliance Requirements

A shopping centre in Frankston received a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. A wheelchair user couldn't access their vehicle because adjacent cars had parked over the shared access zone. The markings were there, but they weren't compliant—the shared area was 300mm too narrow.

AS/NZS 2890.6 sets out requirements for accessible parking that align with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Getting these details wrong isn't just poor practice—it's potentially illegal discrimination.

Legal Framework

A few different rules work together here:

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth): makes it unlawful to discriminate in access to premises, including car parks.
• Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010: set access rules for new and upgraded buildings.
• National Construction Code (NCC): calls up AS/NZS 2890.6 and sets how many accessible bays a building needs.
• State and territory building rules that adopt the NCC.

If someone can't use an accessible bay, they can complain to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Most complaints are resolved through conciliation. If not, they can go to the Federal Court.

How Many Accessible Spaces You Need

This number comes from the NCC (clause D4D6), not from AS/NZS 2890.6. It depends on the building type. Some examples:

• Shops (Class 6): 1 for every 50 spaces, up to 1,000. Then 1 more for every extra 100.
• Offices, factories and warehouses (Class 5, 7 and 8): 1 for every 100 spaces.
• Hospital outpatient areas and clinics: 1 for every 50 spaces.
• Nursing homes and schools: 1 for every 100 spaces.

Your building surveyor can confirm the right number for your building.

Accessible Bay Dimensions

For the general bay rules, see our full AS/NZS 2890.1 carpark standards guide.

Bay Requirements:

• Bay width: 2400 mm
• Bay length: 5400 mm
• Shared area: 2400 mm wide, beside the bay. One shared area can serve two bays.
• Total width: 4800 mm for a single bay, or 7200 mm for two bays sharing one shared area.

The shared area is where a wheelchair user gets in and out of the car, or where a ramp or hoist comes down. If it's too narrow or gets blocked, the bay doesn't work.

A newer AS 2890.6:2022 adds a shared area behind the bay and other changes. It isn't yet called up by the NCC, so we mark to the edition on your approved plans.

Line Marking Requirements

Accessible bays need more than standard bay lines. See our accessible parking line marking service.

• International Symbol of Access marked on the bay, so drivers can see it from the aisle.
• Shared area marked in yellow, so nobody mistakes it for a parking space.
• A bollard in the shared area to stop cars parking there.

Working in Sydney? See our carpark line marking Sydney page.

Location Requirements

Accessible bays should give real access, not just tick a box.

• Close to an accessible entrance
• Connected to it by a continuous accessible path
• Close to level, with a usual limit of 1 in 40 (2.5%) in any direction
• Kept clear of busy traffic routes where possible

Signage

Floor markings alone aren't enough. Each accessible bay should also have a sign showing the International Symbol of Access, so drivers know the bay is for permit holders before they pull in.

Common Compliance Failures

These are the problems we come across most when we re-mark accessible bays:

• Shared area too narrow, or missing altogether
• A standard bay with a symbol painted in it and no shared area
• Faded markings that make the bay hard to spot
• No accessible path from the bay to the door
• Bays too far from the accessible entrance
• Missing or hidden signs

Request an accessible parking compliance check

Need your accessible bays checked or re-marked? See our accessible parking line marking service or read the full AS/NZS 2890.1 carpark standards guide.