Access for all – Australian Standards update
Why doesn’t the ACA just buy Australian Standards for members? We’ve had practices ask why the ACA doesn’t just purchase Australian Standards referenced in the NCC and give members access. But would that solve the real problem – which is that compliance comes at a cost in the first place. Why are mandatory standards so inaccessible?
Yes, we’re a not-for-profit. And yes, we reinvest every surplus into tools, resources and support for our members to run their businesses efficiently, sustainably and ethically. That’s our charter and we take it seriously.
But there’s a line we won’t cross. The ACA will not compromise compliance for commercial gain.
Why? Because if a standard is mandatory for compliance, it should not be locked behind a paywall. Why is something you are legally required to follow being monetised?
We don’t believe access to compliance should depend on who can afford it or which organisation you belong to.
And we’re not just talking about it.
We’ve been pushing this directly with state and federal ministers and the message is slowly getting through. They are asking a good question: what is the cost of non-compliance and what’s the solution?
So, we’re now putting forward a business case to government through the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) on behalf of the entire industry (not just architecture) for free, accessible mandatory standards, focused on the real issue – not what it costs to create or maintain standards, but what it costs when people can’t access them. (Note: one of the six policy priorities for ACIF is affordable and accessible Standards – page 8).
These are the key areas on the case we are building:
- What’s the cost of non-compliance driven by complexity or price barriers?
- What’s the economic impact?
- What are some solutions?
We value your input.
If you’ve experienced the impact of inaccessible Australian Standards – on your practice, your projects, or your clients, we want to hear from you. Your insights will help shape the case we take forward. You can email me directly: angelina.pillai@aca.org.au
Free mandatory standards. That’s our position and we will advocate firmly on this.
By the way, this is not new advocacy for us. National Past President John Held called for free, accessible standards back in 2019. And I followed up on this important topic in 2025. As I lament in my article… I just don’t get it!