Transport Standards Review
Announcement of the 2022 Review of the Transport Standards
The Australian Government has published the 2022 Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) Final Report and Government Response.
The Final Report and Government Response, including a summary available in Auslan and Easy Read, is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport-standards-review.
More than 1000 participants, including people with disability, disability representative organisations, public transport operators and providers and government contributed to the 2022 Review through a range of consultation events and activities including surveys, webinars, focus groups and written submissions.
The experiences shared through consultations provide invaluable insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the Transport Standards in supporting accessible public transport networks across Australia and in removing discrimination against people with disability. The Government thanks everyone who contributed to the 2022 Review.
Opportunities for Action
The 2022 Review Final Report identifies six opportunities for action – covering matters related to:
- Increasing public awareness
- Improving compliance and enforcement
- The need for further reform across the public transport network
- The importance of engaging people with disability in the design and implementation of public transport services.
Some of these opportunities are being addressed in whole or in part through the implementation of the Transport Standards reform package, announced on 20 March 2024. The reforms will modernise the Transport Standards and their supporting material to ensure they remain efficient and effective in removing discrimination against people with disability.
Many of the issues relating to air travel that were highlighted through the 2022 Review are being addressed through the Aviation White Paper, which sets out the Government’s vision for Australia’s aviation sector to 2050. This includes initiatives to deliver an accessible aviation sector that protects the rights of people with disability.
The new aviation standards will strengthen and affirm the rights of people with disability during air travel and affirm the obligations that airlines and airports have to provide equal access. The Australian Government will co-design the standards with people with disability and consult industry on the draft standards in 2025.
To stay up to date and for more information, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/transportaccessibility.