Accessible Office Design

Framework guide

The Accessible Office Design Guide (PDF 2.35MB) is a performance framework for making office design and fit-out more accessible in both new and existing buildings.

The guide explains who will benefit from accessibility, why it is important and what decision-makers should consider when creating accessible and inclusive office spaces. It also outlines the intended users of the performance framework (the framework), and how they can apply universal design principles and assess performance.

Who is it for

Anyone making government office decisions should use the framework. The framework is for anyone who procures, designs, builds, refurbishes, manages or maintains NSW Government offices.

It helps inform decisions about government property procurement and can help assess the leasing potential of future buildings.

Users of the framework include:

• senior leaders, decision makers and other employees in cluster departments and agencies
• project and facilities managers
• leasing agents, developers and builders
• architects and interior designers
• work health and safety professionals
• consultants.

Aligned with strategic planning commitments, the framework will help the public sector and property industry to adopt universal design principles.

The framework supports:

• NSW Government’s commitment to making all public sector roles flexible, using an ‘if not, why not’ approach
• Whole-of-Government Office Accommodation Policy and other government policies about accommodation and real property
• Premier’s priority of a World Class Public Service which includes the commitment to increase
  the number of employees with disability in government sector roles
• State priority of delivering strong budgets.

Using the framework

The framework is made up of 6 journey stages an employee will experience during a work day.

To help create the framework, we engaged with NSW public sector employees through focus groups and through the Accessible Office Design Survey.

We heard from over 690 public sector employees with disability, which helped us address the needs of people who experience cognitive, physical, psychological, psychosocial or sensory diversity.

The framework complements the accessibility requirements that already apply to government workplaces and helps to ensure employees and visitors with disability have the same rights as others in the workplace.

The framework is a living document that should be reviewed regularly alongside periodic amendments to the ‘National Construction Code’, the Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 and the Australian Standards for Access and Mobility (AS1428 series).

Accessible and inclusive products and services

Accessibility is not just important for workplaces; it is also important to our work practices. The NSW Government expects that all public sector employees can meet the basic level required to provide a better experience for people using our services. Further information on digital accessibility and inclusion can be found on the Digital NSW Design Standards.