Accessible housing is essential – not optional. More than 1.2 million Queenslanders live with disability, and around 435,700 live with a profound or severe disability. For many, a lack of accessible housing means being unable to live safely or independently in their own home.
We’re proud to stand with 51 other organisations advocating for the continued implementation of the Livable Housing Design Standard in Queensland, under the National Construction Code.
Since October 2023, all new homes in Queensland have been required to meet the Livable Housing Design Standards. These standards include simple but important features such as:
- Step-free entry into the home
- Wider internal doorways and hallways
- Reinforced bathroom walls to support grab rails in future
These changes cost little at the time of construction – often less than 1% of the total build cost – but save millions of dollars in taxpayer funding down the track by reducing the need for expensive home modifications, hospital stays, and aged care admissions.
Research from the Melbourne Disability Institute shows the benefits of accessible housing far outweigh the costs, with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.7 for Silver-level standards. This means every $1 spent delivers $1.70 in economic and social benefits.
Accessible homes don’t just benefit people with disability – they support older Queenslanders to age safely in place, families with young children, and carers who assist loved ones at home.
Despite this, the Queensland Productivity Commission has recommended that the Government opt out of these mandatory standards unless further “net benefits” can be proven. If accepted, this would undo progress already achieved in Queensland and put us out of step with five other states and territories that have adopted these nationally consistent standards.
We cannot afford to go backwards. Accessible housing delivers independence, dignity, and long-term cost savings for our whole community.
We need your voice. If you are a person with disability, a carer, support worker or staff member, you can help by completing our template letter and sending it to your local MP. Together, we can make sure Queensland continues building homes that are safe, inclusive, and fit for the future.
Click here to read the joint media statement, prepared by Queenslanders with Disability Network.
Click here to read the full economic report, prepared by Melbourne Disability Institute researchers.