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 a 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, 51 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.
Latest news
2022 Funding Round now open
The 2022 Changing Places funding will support the construction of 30 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 supporting the post Covid recovery and growing the Victorian disability 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 19 July 2022 and closes 2 September 2022.
Applications must be submitted through smarty grants.
For more details visit the 2022 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: 2 August 2022
Register via Eventbrite for the 2022 Victorian Changing Places Funding Round or to find out more about the 2022 Changing Places funding round email: changingplaces@dffh.vic.gov.au.
Key documents available for download.
- Changing Places 2022 Funding Round Guidelines – accessible (Word)
- Changing Places Survey 2016
- Changing Places Survey 2019