Access Consultants for Australian Commercial Premises: Compare Audit and Remediation Scope

Shortlist by published scope

For existing Australian commercial premises, the reviewed MAA page expressly describes remediation recommendations, while the reviewed AllCert and Ergon pages describe completion-stage inspection services.[3][4][6] These are differences in published descriptions, not an independent ranking of capability.

MAA expressly offers onsite audits, tailored programs to identify non-compliances and recommendations for remediation or risk mitigation, plus advice during building works.[3] AllCert publishes during- and post-construction site assessment followed by final compliance sign-off, while Ergon lists construction advice and OC access inspection certificates.[4][6]

The reviewed pages do not establish a complete like-for-like commitment for each provider across onsite audit, remediation recommendations, construction advice and post-construction inspection.[1][3][4][5][6] Any appointment should therefore depend on a written scope confirming each stage, deliverable and exclusion.

Separate an existing-premises audit from approval of building works

Record whether this is an operational access audit, proposed refurbishment, new work or a completion inspection. The Premises Standards have defined scope: section 2.1 addresses relevant new buildings, new and affected parts of specified buildings, and existing public transport buildings. Sections 2.2 and 3.1 connect responsibilities to relevant buildings and matters under the responsible person’s control.[7]

Do not treat every existing office as subject to the same building-work trigger. The legislation also notes that the Disability Discrimination Act can apply to buildings outside the Standards’ scope.[7] Ask the consultant to identify the applicable requirements and the parts reviewed; have the building certifier and qualified legal adviser resolve approval and legal questions.

How the options were compared

Each provider is assessed on the same three criteria: confirmed audit and remediation scope, published specialist capability and fit for an existing commercial premises. Broad accessibility language is not treated as proof of end-to-end delivery.

Design review and accessibility auditing are different services. Architecture & Access describes design review as checking proposed plans before construction and an accessibility audit as assessing an existing building or environment.[1] Claimed cost savings, reduced legal risk, full compliance or faster outcomes are the providers’ own statements and are not independently verified.[1][3][4][5][6]

Five access consultants compared

Architecture & Access

• Audit and remediation scope: Its published material describes audits of existing environments and work on existing-building upgrades from concept through construction. Remediation recommendations and post-construction inspections are not expressly confirmed.[1]
• Specialist capability: The firm says it has staff trained and accredited to assess and certify Changing Places facilities.[1]
• Existing-premises fit: Upgrades are within its published scope, and listed client groups include building managers, project managers, contractors and government agencies.[1]

MAA Access Consultants

• Audit and remediation scope: MAA offers onsite access audits. Its tailored audit programs can identify non-compliances and recommend remediation or risk-mitigation strategies.[3]
• Specialist capability: Published services include performance solutions, legislation interpretation, access appraisals, peer reviews and advice concerning universal design and the Disability Discrimination Act.[3]
• Existing-premises fit: MAA offers access advice during building works, although its source does not confirm a post-construction inspection commitment.[3]

Ergon Consulting

• Audit and remediation scope: Ergon lists access-audit reports, construction advice and OC access inspection certificates. Explicit remediation recommendations are not confirmed.[4]
• Specialist capability: Listed services include access performance-solution reports, peer reviews, expert access witness services and product access certification.[4]
• Existing-premises fit: Ergon works on commercial projects throughout Australia from concept design to completion, but its source does not describe a refurbishment-specific process.[4]

Equal Access

• Audit and remediation scope: Equal Access lists disability access audits, desktop reviews, performance solutions, due diligence reports and access peer reviews among its services. Its homepage does not detail remediation deliverables, construction-stage advice or final inspections.[5]
• Specialist capability: Equal Access says its key personnel are accredited with the Access Consultants Association.[5]
• Existing-premises fit: Its published fit includes organisations seeking advice about the DDA, Building Code of Australia or Australian Standards. The source does not establish a complete audit-to-remediation process.[5]

AllCert

• Audit and remediation scope: AllCert offers access audits and reports, together with during- and post-construction site assessment. Remediation recommendations are not expressly confirmed.[6]
• Specialist capability: Listed services include 3D modelling or accessibility-software assessments, DDA reporting and universal-design integration.[6]
• Existing-premises fit: Its published sectors include commercial buildings, offices, shopping centres and hospitality facilities, with refurbishments and upgrades expressly covered.[6]

Certification and compliance claims

Treat certification and compliance wording carefully. For a relevant building within the Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010, sections 2.2 and 3.1 apply to building certifiers, developers and managers according to their responsibility or control over applicable Access Code matters.[7] A consultant’s report or sign-off can support that process, but it does not replace the building certifier’s assessment and is not a legal guarantee of compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act.

AllCert describes final compliance sign-off and says an access consultant can guarantee that buildings and spaces meet Australian-law accessibility requirements; that is AllCert’s own claim.[6] Ergon lists OC access inspection certificates and product access certification.[4] Before relying on such a document, ask:

• What is the document called, and what is its purpose?
• Who may issue it, and under what scheme or approval process?
• Who is expected to accept it?
• What work, building elements and reliance does it exclude?

Architecture & Access says trained and accredited staff can assess and certify Changing Places facilities, but its source does not provide the scheme rules or certification limits.[1] ACA says its accreditation demonstrates high-level access-consultant competency, which is a competency credential rather than a legal certification power.[2]

Association terminology also needs checking. ACA calls itself the Access Consultants Association, while Ergon uses the term “ACAA Accredited”. Ask Ergon whether these refer to the same accreditation scheme.[2][4]

Pricing and commercial terms require quotes

The reviewed pages do not establish comparable verified fees, deposits, billing structures, minimum engagements or cancellation and refund terms.[1][3][4][5][6] AllCert says pricing depends on project size, complexity and scope and requires a tailored quote, but publishes no amount or range.[6]

The reviewed pages also do not establish comparable professional-indemnity insurance details, travel charges, included site visits, revision limits, report validity periods or eligibility requirements.[1][3][4][5][6]

How to obtain comparable quotes

Send each shortlisted provider the same written brief because the published information does not support a like-for-like comparison of fees or commercial terms.[1][3][4][5][6]

• Project context: premises type and location, approximate scale, reason for the review, known concerns, planned works, available drawings and required completion date.
• Legal position: whether the premises sit within the Premises Standards and which exceptions, such as unjustifiable hardship or the lessee provisions, may be relevant; take advice from a lawyer on these points.[7]
• Stages: initial site inspection, audit report, prioritised remediation recommendations, design review, advice during works and final inspection.
• Deliverables: requirements and document versions used, excluded areas, assumptions, report format, risk-ranking method and whether remediation advice includes cost estimates.
• Personnel: who will perform the work, relevant accreditation or specialist credentials, subcontractors and whether professional-indemnity insurance evidence can be supplied. The provider sources do not confirm insurance details.[1][3][4][5][6]
• Commercial terms: fee basis, GST treatment, deposit, payment milestones, travel, meetings, site visits, revisions, variation rates, cancellation rights and report-reliance conditions.

If certification or sign-off is offered, request a sample document and a written explanation of its authority, intended recipient and limitations. ACA provides a national “Find an ACA consultant” directory that can be used to check whether an individual is listed.[2]

References

1. Access Consulting – Architecture & Access (architectureandaccess.com.au)
2. Access Consultants Association (asn.au)
3. MAA Access Consultants (maa.net.au)
4. Ergon Consulting – ACAA Accredited Access Consultant Sydney (accessconsultantsydney.com.au)
5. Equal Access – DDA Disability Access Consultants Australia (disabilityaccessconsultants.com.au)
6. AllCert – Access Consultant (allcertgroup.com.au)
7. Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010 – Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au)