Around one in five Australians have disability. Access to public transport plays an important role in allowing all Australians to fully participate in the community. It enables people to travel to work or study, connects them to family, friends and their community, and provides access to services such as healthcare and education.
Stage 2 reforms
Consultation on Stage 2 reforms of the Transport Standards was open from 15 March 2022 to 9 August 2022.
The Australian Government sought views on the Stage 2 reform areas, including the impacts, costs and benefits associated with the reforms, and whether the proposed reforms would improve public transport accessibility for people with disability.
Feedback from the consultation process will support evidence-based analysis and recommendations on the reforms for consideration by Transport Ministers in mid‑2023.
- Further information about reform areas and an overview of public consultation activities is available on the Stage 2 Reforms page.
- Public submissions to the Stage 2 Consultation RIS can be viewed on the Stage 2 Reform of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 Have Your Say page.
What are the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards)?
The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) are formulated by the Attorney-General under subsection 31 (1) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA). The Transport Standards seek to remove discrimination for people with disability in relation to public transport services to provide equality and independence.
The Transport Standards apply to train, tram, bus and coach, ferry, taxi and aviation services and are designed to provide certainty to providers and operators of public transport services and infrastructure about their responsibilities under the DDA.
The Transport Standards require all of Australia's public transport networks and associated infrastructure to be fully accessible by the end of 2022 (with the exception of trains and trams, which have until the end of 2032).