Changing Places enable Victorians with high support needs to participate in their local community and access recreational and tourist attractions, parks, community spaces, entertainment and sporting venues.
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 with 83 Changing Places, including portable facilities (Marveloo or Placeable Pod) 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 Funded Facilities
| Project name | Grant organisation | Proposed location |
|---|---|---|
| Smiths Beach Foreshore Changing Places Facility | Bass Coast Shire Council | Smiths Beach Rd Smiths Beach VIC 3922 |
| Donald Memorial Park Changing Places | Buloke Shire Council | Park St Donald VIC 3480 |
| Pakenham Changing Places | Cardinia Shire Council | 153 Main St Pakenham VIC 3810 |
| Sir Zelman Cowen Park – All Abilities Playground | City of Stonnington | 458 Glenferrie Rd Kooyong VIC 3144 |
| Patterson Drive Community Centre Changing Places Facility | City of Whittlesea | 183 Olivine Blvd Donnybrook VIC 3064 |
| Cann River Changing Places | East Gippsland Shire Council | Ward St Cann River VIC 3890 |
| Yarraville Gardens Public Toilet Upgrade | Maribyrnong City Council | 147 Hyde St Yarraville VIC 3013 |
| MCEC Changing Places facility | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) | 1 Convention Centre Pl South Wharf VIC 3006 |
| Portable Changing Place – Melton Shire Council | Melton Shire Council | 90-92 High St Melton VIC 3337 |
| Ascot Vale Library Changing Places | Moonee Valley City Council | 165 Union Rd Ascot Vale VIC 3032 |
| Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve Pavilion | Moorabool Shire Council | Bacchus Marsh-Balliang Rd Maddingley VIC 3340 |
| Surf Coast Aquatic & Health Centre Changing Place | Surf Coast Shire Council | Wadawurrung Way Torquay VIC 3228 |
| Aqua Energy Redevelopment | Wellington Shire Council | 1 Brayakoloong Cl Sale VIC 3850 |
The 2023 Changing Places funding supports the construction of 13 Changing Places facilities across Victoria. The funding round provided up to $180,000 for Changing Places to be built in local communities and at popular tourism destinations to grow the Victorian accessible tourism economy.
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.
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