Changing Places

Changing Places facilities are larger than standard accessible toilets, with extra features and more space to meet the needs of people with disability and their carers. Each facility has a height adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system, and space for two people either side of a peninsula toilet.

To be called a Changing Places toilet, the facility must meet the design specifications as outlined in the Changing Places Design Specification 2020.

Creating communities that are welcoming and inclusive underpins the Victorian Government’s State Disability Plan. Changing Places are a key component of Victoria’s Universal Design approach to ensure the built environment is accessible for all Victorians and so far, 70 Changing Places have been funded across Victoria.

History of Changing Places

Originating in the United Kingdom in 2006, the Changing Places concept has now spread internationally, with Changing Places opening in a number of countries including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, USA and Germany.

The first Australian Changing Place opened at Ringwood Lake in Victoria in 2014. For a current list of locations across Australia see the Changing Places website.

Changing Places Design Specifications

The Changing Places design specifications 2020 provide all the information needed to build a Changing Places facility including a choice of four design options and estimated costs.

National Construction Code and Changing Places

Australia is the first country in the world to regulate for public toilets based on the Changing Places design. The National Construction Code 2019 released by the Australian Building Code Board requires a new class of toilet called Accessible Adult Change Facilities, based on the Changing Places design, to be included in certain classes of public buildings. 

From 1 May 2019, one unisex Accessible Adult Change Facility must be provided in: 

• Class 6 buildings: shopping centres with a design occupancy of not less than 3,500;
• Museum or art gallery (or similar buildings with a design occupancy of not less than 1,500;
• Class 9b sports venues – with a design occupancy of not less than 35,000 or which contain a swimming pool that has a perimeter of not less than 70m.
• Theatre and entertainment venues having a design occupancy of not less than 1,500 patrons.
• Domestic and international passenger airports.

Toilets built according to the Changing Places design standards will generally meet the Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions of the National Construction Code.

2023 Funding Round now open

The 2023 Changing Places funding will support the construction of additional Changing Places facilities across Victoria. The funding round will provide up to $180,000 for Changing Places in local communities and at popular tourism destinations to grow the Victorian accessible tourism economy.

Local Government Authorities (Victorian), community not for profit organisations and popular tourism destinations are eligible to apply.

Changing Places must be built in accordance with the Changing Places Design Specifications 2020 and must be accredited as a Changing Places facility and listed on the Changing Places website and the National Public Toilet Map.

The funding round opens on 17 March 2023 and closes 14 April 2023.

Applications must be submitted through smarty grants.

For more details visit the 2023 Changing Places funding round webpage.

Further Information

Funding Round information Session

An on-line information session will be held 

• Time: 10.00am - 11.30am
• Date: 23 March 2023

Register via Eventbrite for the 2023 Victorian Changing Places Funding Round or to find out more about the 2023 Changing Places funding round email changingplaces@dffh.vic.gov.au.

Key documents available for download.

• Changing places 2023 Funding Round - Guidelines (Accessible)
• Changing places 2023 Funding Round - Guidelines (PDF)
• Changing Places Survey 2016
• Changing Places Survey 2019

Changing Places funded projects