Changing Places

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Changing Places

The built environment should be accessible to all Victorians. That’s why the Victorian Government has funded the construction of 26 Changing Places toilets in major public spaces across Victoria.

The Changing Places program enables people with a disability and high support needs to participate in social, sporting and cultural activities.

Changing Places facilities are larger than standard accessible toilets with a height adjustable adult-sized change table, a tracking hoist and space for two people either side of a peninsula toilet.

In 2019, Australia became the first country to regulate for public toilets based on the Changing Places design. From 1 May 2019, one unisex Accessible Adult Change Facility must be provided in some classes of shopping centres, museums and art galleries, sports and entertainment venues and airports.

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

Creating communities that are welcoming and inclusive underpins the Victorian Absolutely everyone – state disability plan 2017 - 2020. The construction of Changing Places facilities is an example of the principles of universal design we are applying to accessible public infrastructure.

What's new

Changing Places design specifications 2020

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

The guidelines are available for download via the 'Documents' section at the bottom of the page.

Scope

In 2017-2018, the Victorian Government provided $2.6 million in grant funding to build 26 new Changing Places facilities and Marveloos across Victoria. Changing Places facilities have been built in popular tourist locations, parks and community hubs.

Changing Places facilities provide:

a height-adjustable adult-sized change table
a constant-charging ceiling track hoist system
a centrally located peninsula toilet
circulation spaces
an automatic door with a clear opening
a privacy screen.

The Marveloo

The Marveloo is a portable Changing Places toilet available for hire at major events and festivals in Victoria. The Marveloo allows people with high support needs, their families and carers to enjoy outdoor music concerts and sporting events.

For Marveloo locations, visit the Changing Places website.

Benefits

The Changing Places program aims to achieve the following benefits:

Quality of life

It is a basic human right to be able to access a clean, safe and private rest room.

More than one million Victorians have a disability, but standard accessible toilets don’t include change tables and tracking hoists, which people with high support needs require. This means that some people with a disability choose to stay home. When they go out, standard accessible public toilets are often not large enough or not equipped to meet their needs.

The extra features of Changing Places facilities can support people with disabilities, their families and carers, to enjoy the things that many of us take for granted – such as going to work or school or attending social, sporting, and cultural events.

More accessible facilities

The network of Changing Places facilities makes popular tourist, sporting and cultural facilities more accessible, so that more people can enjoy what Victoria has to offer.

This helps to create inclusive and welcoming communities, which is a key priority in the Victorian Infrastructure Plan and underpins the Victorian Government’s Absolutely everyone – state disability plan 2017–2020.

Economic participation

Increasing the number of Changing Places facilities across the state can help improve economic participation, as more workplace, shopping centres and tourist locations become fully accessible.

Building a Changing Places facility

The Changing Places design specifications have been comprehensively revised and updated and are now available to assist people constructing a Changing Places facility. The Changing Places Design Specifications 2020 provide all the information required to design and build a Changing Places facility, including a choice of four designs and cost estimates.

The Changing Places Design Specifications 2020 replace the Changing Places Information Guide and Technical Standard June 2017 and will apply from 1 April 2020. 

There are four standard Changing Places design options:

Design 1A: Without shower rectangular
Design 1B: Without shower square
Design 1C: Without shower alternative door location
Design 2: With shower rectangular.

It is recommended that Changing Places facilities are accredited and approved by a Changing Places Assessor. The accreditation process ensures that Changing Places are built to standard so that users can be confident that the design is fit for purpose.

More information is provided in the Changing Places Design Specifications 2020.

Changing Places and The National Construction Code 2019

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'.

Timeline

GRANTS OPENED
JUN 2017
Constructions
OCT 2017 GRANTS CLOSED
GRANTS ANNOUNCED
MAR 2018
Constructions
JUN 2018 1ST PROJECT COMMENCED
1ST PROJECT COMPLETED
JUN 2018

Timeline

JUN 2017 GRANTS OPENED
OCT 2017 Constructions GRANTS CLOSED
MAR 2018 GRANTS ANNOUNCED
JUN 2018 Constructions 1ST PROJECT COMMENCED
JUN 2018 1ST PROJECT COMPLETED

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Changing Places

VHHSBA Facts

$ $2.6Mb

VHHSBA Facts

12

VHHSBA Facts

14

Changing Places

What's new

Changing Places design specifications 2020

BUILDING

326,400

$2.6M

26

Scope

The Marveloo

Benefits

Quality of life

More accessible facilities

Economic participation

Building a Changing Places facility

Changing Places and The National Construction Code 2019

Timeline

Timeline

Changing Places projects

Changing Places projects

Status

Health

Aged care

Housing

Disability

Changing Places projects

News

Warrnambool’s first Changing Places opens

New designs and features for Changing Places

Changing Places comes to Werribee Zoo

Changing Places opens at Healesville Sanctuary

Changing Places, changing lives

100th Australian Changing Places facility now open

Changing Places user and venue owner surveys

A welcome change for National Construction Code

Hamer Hall unveils new Changing Places facility

Changing Places opens at Hadfield Park

Changing Places builds momentum

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News

Warrnambool’s first Changing Places opens

New designs and features for Changing Places

Changing Places comes to Werribee Zoo

Healesville Sanctuary opens new Changing Places facility

Changing Places, changing lives - Celebrating Changing Places Awareness Day...

100th Australian Changing Places facility now open at Bicentennial Park

Changing Places user and venue owner surveys – tell us what you think!

Changing Places inspires a welcome change to the National Construction Code...

Hamer Hall unveils new Changing Places facility

Changing Places opens at Hadfield Park Adventure Playground

Changing Places: Openings, sod turns and a Marveloo at the Sydney Invictus ...

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Documents

Changing Places design specification 2020

Changing Places logo information sheet

Changing Places brand guidelines

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