The DDA provides that discrimination (direct or indirect) on the basis of disability is unlawful in a broad range of areas of public life, including employment, accommodation, education, access to premises, clubs and sports, the provision of goods, facilities, services and land, existing laws and the administration of Commonwealth laws and programs. Section 24 of the DDA (a provision of Part 2) makes it unlawful for a person who provides goods, services or facilities, including transport, to discriminate against another person on the ground of the person’s disability.

The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards), made by the Attorney-General under section 31 of the DDA, came into effect on 23 October 2002. The Transport Standards provide certainty to operators and providers of public transport services about their responsibilities under the DDA. The aim of the Transport Standards is to remove discrimination for people with disability as far as possible and ensure public transport services are safe and accessible for people with disability.

The Transport Standards establish minimum accessibility requirements to be met by providers and operators of public transport conveyances, infrastructure and premises which include accessible pathways, wheelchair manoeuvring areas, ramps, boarding devices, allocated spaces for people with a disability, handrails, doorways, controls, symbols and signage.

Public Transport Buildings are also covered in the Building Code of Australia which deal with accessways, ramps, handrails and grabrails, doorways and doors, lifts, Stairways, accessible toilets and their locations, symbols and signs, Tactile ground surface indicators, lighting, hearing augmentation, emergency warning systems and controls.

Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Amendment 2026 (the Amendment Standards) is to amend the Transport Standards.

Vista Access Architects have provided design input for Public Transport projects such as Pontoons, Train Stations and Bus stops.