An ambitious plan to build thousands of new homes was announced in the New South Wales 2024-25 State Budget. But it excludes people with disability and older people.

For the past 2 years, the NSW Government is one of only two state governments that has refused to sign up to the Silver Livable Housing Design Standards in the National Construction Code – a set of design standards that require new housing developments to offer basic accessibility for all people. 

These standards are not a lot to ask – they simply require developers to include things like a step free shower and level entry to the home. Read the full standard to find out what basic necessities are needed to make NSW homes accessible.

The Australian Building Codes Board modelling for these standards shows it will only add about 1% to the cost of a new build. 

These discriminatory housing standards in NSW mean fewer houses are available for people with disability and older people, leaving thousands of Australians unable to live in a home appropriate to their needs across their lifespan. 

 

 

This forces more people into specialist disability housing or aged care, affecting their quality of life, putting more pressure on the NDIS and increasing the costs for government. 

That’s why we came together as a community to call on the NSW State Government to sign the Silver Livable Housing Design Standards mandated in the National Construction Code. 

On Tuesday 6 August, we gathered at Parliament House to say enough is enough to housing discrimination in NSW.

It was fantastic to see a large group of people with disability rally, calling on the NSW government to end housing discrimination and adopt measures to ensure that new housing developments in NSW are accessibly built.

MC Edward Morris (CEO – Physical Disability Council of NSW) addressed attendees, and handed our Open Letter to Alex Greenwich (NSW Legislative Assembly) and Abigail Boyd (NSW Legislative Assembly).

Support making new homes liveable and accessible for all Australians. Sign the petition today to make your voice heard.

    Open Letter to NSW Leaders