Our accredited access consulting services support organisations to meet legislative requirements and deliver environments that are accessible and inclusive for people with disability.
We provide subject matter expert advice across Specialist Disability Accommodation, Changing Places, and Livable Housing Design Guidelines obligations, alongside broader access consulting for existing and proposed environments.
Get Skilled Access (GSA) delivers risk managed access consulting from concept through to construction, helping organisations understand how the condition and design of buildings and spaces affect usability in practice, and providing clear, practical advice to improve access and inclusion.
Our services include on-site audits, design reviews, performance-based solutions, and specialist assessments, informed by lived experience, universal design principles, and inclusive best practice.
Our access consulting services
We provide access consulting across a wide range of environments, projects, and regulatory contexts, including:
Audits and inspections for existing and newly constructed environments
On-site audits and inspections of buildings, venues, public spaces, and events to assess accessibility, identify barriers, and recommend practical improvements.
Desktop design reviews
Review of designs at one or more stages to identify access risks early and support inclusive outcomes before construction or delivery.
Performance-based design solutions
Advisory support where standard access provisions cannot reasonably be achieved, identifying alternative pathways that maintain appropriate access outcomes.
Universal design reviews and reports
Assessment of how environments function for diverse users, with a focus on usability, experience, and inclusion beyond minimum requirements.
Universal design and accessibility guidelines
Tailored guidance to support consistent access and inclusion decisions across organisations, portfolios, and projects.
Expert opinions, reports, and statements
Independent professional advice and documentation to support complex access decisions, risk management, and compliance considerations.
Product reviews
Assessment of products, fixtures, and elements to understand accessibility and usability in real-world use.
Specialist Disability Accommodation assessments and certification
Assessment and certification services to support access, adaptability, and usability in housing designed for people with disability.
Livable Housing Design Guidelines assessments and certification
Assessment and certification services of housing designs or dwellings against the Livable Housing Design Guidelines to support accessible and adaptable living.
Changing Places assessments and certification
Assessment and certification services of facilities against the Changing Places standards to support people with high support needs.
What is an access audit?
An access audit reviews how accessible an environment, building, service, or event is for people with disability. This can also extend to other members of the community, including parents, children, older people, and people with temporary access needs.
At GSA, access audits go beyond checklists. We focus on how spaces and services are actually used, identifying potential barriers, risks, and opportunities for improvement that support dignity, independence, connection, and real participation.
Access audits can be applied to existing environments, designs in progress, temporary infrastructure, and broader organisational contexts.
Universal design and inclusive access
Universal design considers how environments can be accessed, understood, and used by as many people as possible, without the need for adaptation.
Our approach to universal design thinking is to help organisations move beyond minimum requirements and create environments that work better for everyone, including people with disability, older people, families, and people with temporary access needs.
Whether it’s a workplace, venue, public space, or event, inclusive design supports better experiences and broader participation.
Why access consulting matters
Around 5.5 million people in Australia (21.4%) have disability (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022). Research shows a potential return on investment of $13 for every $1 invested in universally accessible environments.
Barriers in the built environment can limit participation, create safety risks, reduce social connection and exclude people from everyday activities. Research also shows a strong return on investment when accessibility and universal design are embedded early and applied consistently.
Access audits help organisations:
- Identify barriers that affect staff, customers, and visitors
- Prioritise improvements in a practical and staged way
- Reduce risk and uncertainty in decision-making
- Support equitable and dignified access
How we work
Our access consulting services are delivered through a clear and collaborative process:
- Scoping and discovery – understanding your environment, users, and objectives
- Assessment or review – on-site audit, design review, or advisory assessment
- Findings and recommendations – clear, prioritised, and practical guidance
- Next steps – optional support to plan and implement improvements
The scope and timeframe are tailored to suit each engagement.
Case study: Rod Laver Arena
We worked with Rod Laver Arena to review access in their elite recovery facilities, designing inclusive ice baths for athletes with disability.
This project shows that universal design isn’t just about compliance, it can elevate performance and inclusion at the highest levels.
Speak with our access consultant
Not sure which access service is right for your organisation or project? Speak directly with our accredited access consultant to discuss your needs and scope.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between an access audit and a building compliance check?
A compliance check focuses on minimum legal requirements. An access audit looks more broadly at usability, dignity, and real-world experience for people with disability.
Do you audit temporary or event-based spaces?
Yes. We conduct access audits for permanent environments, one-off events, and temporary infrastructure.
Who delivers your access audits?
Access audits are led by Get Skilled Access’s in-house accredited access consultant, supported by our broader disability inclusion expertise.
Can you help implement recommendations?
Yes. We can support prioritisation, planning, and next steps following an audit, depending on your needs.