Access Australia

What Access Australia does

Access Australia is a specialist access and architectural consultancy founded in 1985 by Michael Fox, operating from offices in Pacific Palms and Mosman, New South Wales. The firm provides integrated disability access consulting, universal design advisory, heritage building accessibility, policy and standards development, and architectural design services through its affiliated practice Michael Fox Architects (MFA). Its work is anchored by Fox's proprietary "Process of Access" methodology and spans the full lifecycle of the built environment, from regulatory drafting and national policy to project-level design review and on-site auditing.

The firm serves a client base concentrated in Australian federal and state government, large-format retail, universities, cultural institutions, and infrastructure operators. Notable engagements include the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games Access Strategy, accessibility work for the Reserve Bank of Australia, Westfield, Coles, the University of Sydney, the National Gallery of Australia, and the Sydney Opera House. Internationally, the firm has delivered access strategies for the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Link Hong Kong Barrier Free program, and is engaged by the Pacific Disability Forum to develop accessibility Guidelines and Standards for the Pacific Region.

The business model is project-based professional services: engagements are won via tender and direct appointment, with fees structured around scope, complexity, and seniority of personnel rather than volume or subscription pricing. Revenue is generated from consultancy fees on individual projects. The firm operates as a privately-held partnership under directors Michael Fox and Margaret Fox, with a small senior team supplemented by specialist consultants. Its competitive position is reinforced by Michael Fox's direct involvement in drafting Australia's Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the AS1428 suite of standards, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and recent contributions to the National Construction Code 2022 accessible housing provisions.

Name

Access Australia

Legal name

Access Australia

Website

https://accessaustralia.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Access Australia is a 40-year-old integrated access and architectural consultancy founded by Michael Fox, providing disability access, universal design, and heritage building services to government, enterprise, and institutional clients across Australia and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Access and Architectural Consultancy Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Facilities Support Services (5612)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Campus/Facility Accessibility Services (Ramps, Wayfinding, Access Management) (EDAKAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

School Accessibility Audits & ADA/IDEA Compliance Consulting (Transportation & Access) (EDAKAOAK), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN)

Keywords

• Access consultancy services
• Disability access consulting
• DDA compliance advisory
• Built environment accessibility
• Architectural access planning

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Access Consultancy Services: Professional consultancy services including access assessments, access audits, DDA reports and strategies, access inspections and certification, and awareness seminars. Revenue is generated through professional service engagements with government agencies, educational institutions, commercial developers, and property owners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Access Australia provides integrated access and architectural consultancy services including access assessments, access audits, DDA reports and strategies, access inspections and certification, access design consultancy, awareness seminars, and national/international access research. Services are organized into sector programs covering heritage, commercial, council, government, international, sports/recreation, residential/schools, and theatres/performing arts projects. All services are delivered through the proprietary 'Process of Access' methodology developed by director Michael Fox.

Product overview

Access Australia is an integrated access and architectural consultancy firm providing professional services since 1985. The company offers a unified suite of consulting services built around its proprietary Process of Access methodology, which includes access assessments, access audits, access design consultancy, DDA reports and strategies, access inspections and certification, awareness seminars, and national/international access research. Service offerings are organized by sector into distinct programs: Access & Heritage, Commercial, Council Services, Fixtures & Fittings, Government, International, Sports/Recreation, Residential and Schools, Theatres & Performing Arts, and Planning & Design. All services are grounded in the Process of Access framework and align with DDA Access to Premises Standards (APS), Building Code of Australia (BCA), and AS1428 suite of standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Access Assessments Comprehensive evaluations of built environments identifying accessibility barriers and compliance with DDA and AS1428 standards, for government agencies, commercial developers, educational institutions, and property owners.
• Access Audits Systematic inspections and assessments of facilities evaluating accessibility against regulatory standards and best practices, for property owners and managers.
• Access Design Consultancy Expert guidance on designing accessible environments, including heritage buildings, commercial spaces, and residential developments, for architects, developers, and property owners.
• DDA Reports and Strategies Documentation and planning frameworks for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act, including DDA Action Plans (DAP) and access strategies, for organisations seeking compliance and policy guidance.
• Access Inspections and Certification On-site verification of accessibility compliance and certification of accessible fixtures and fittings against Australian Standards, for property owners, developers, and certifying authorities.
• Awareness Seminars Educational programs on accessibility requirements, best practices, and inclusive design principles, for organisations seeking workforce and stakeholder awareness.
• Access Research National and international research initiatives on accessibility standards, legislation, and inclusive design practices, for governments, standards bodies, and advocacy organisations.
• Access & Heritage Program Specialised access assessments for heritage-listed buildings and sites, balancing heritage conservation with accessibility requirements, for universities, councils, and heritage property owners.
• Commercial Access Program Access consultancy for major retail and commercial projects including shopping centres, airports, and office buildings across Australia, for retail operators, developers, and commercial property owners.
• Council Access Services Local government access assessments and strategies, including NSW Land & Environment Court reports and evidence, for councils and local government authorities.
• Fixtures & Fittings Assessments Compliance assessments for fixtures and fittings against AS1428 standards, including accessible tapware and communication equipment, for manufacturers, suppliers, and property owners.
• Government Access Program Federal and state government access studies, strategies, and built environment reviews, including access legislation reviews, for government departments and agencies.
• International Access Program Comprehensive access legislation reviews, strategies, and assessments in Qatar, Kuwait, Hong Kong, and the Pacific Region delivered through RI network partnerships, for international governments and disability organisations.
• Sports, Recreation & Outdoor Spaces Program Access strategies for sporting venues, recreation facilities, and outdoor spaces, including Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, for sporting authorities, councils, and venue operators.
• Residential and Schools Program Access assessments for residential developments, aged care facilities, adaptable units, and educational institution campus areas, for residential developers, aged care operators, and schools.
• Theatres & Performing Arts Program Accessible planning and design for theatres and performing arts centres, including Sydney Opera House and Roslyn Packer Theatre, for venue operators and performing arts institutions.
• Planning & Design Consultancy National and international consultations on access guidelines, policies, and legislation including AS1428 suite and CRPD alignment, for governments, standards bodies, and advocacy organisations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games Access Strategy development and implementation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RI Australia (Rights & Inclusion Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985Access Australia director Michael Fox served as Chair of Rights & Inclusion Australia from 2010 to 2023. The company maintains close ties with RI Australia, hosting joint forums and collaborating on access advocacy and policy development. RI Australia is an organization advancing rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Australia.
• International Disability Alliance (IDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess Australia director Michael Fox participates in IDA CRPD Shadow Report meetings and represents RI at International Disability Alliance forums. IDA is a global alliance of organizations of persons with disabilities working to promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
• RI GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess Australia director Michael Fox served as RI Global President from 2004 to 2008. RI Global advances the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities worldwide. Access Australia participates in RI Global activities and conferences.
• Standards AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess Australia has extensive involvement with Standards Australia in the development of the AS1428 suite of standards for accessible environments. The company conducts access assessments for fixtures and fittings to meet compliance with these standards.
• ABCB (Australian Building Codes Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess Australia maintains a relationship with ABCB regarding building codes and accessible housing provisions. The company references ABCB Livable Housing documents and participates in discussions regarding building accessibility standards.
• UN EnableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Enable provides regular updates and information on the CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). Access Australia aligns its Process of Access with CRPD Article 9.
• Michael Fox Architects (MFA)coreOthersAccess Australia directors Michael Fox and Margaret Fox are also directors of Michael Fox Architects (MFA). The two firms work collaboratively, with consultants working across both organizations providing integrated architectural and access consultancy services.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Hassell: Hassell is a major Australian architecture and urban design firm with accessibility and universal design capabilities integrated into its broader practice. Comparable to Access Australia as a competing provider of accessible design for built environments, particularly on campus, transport, and government projects, but operates at much larger scale and across non-access services.
• BVN: BVN is an Australian architecture firm with explicit accessibility and inclusive design expertise across health, education, and public projects. Comparable to Access Australia in serving university, healthcare, and government clients on access-compliant design, though as part of a wider architectural portfolio.
• Bates Smart: Bates Smart is an established Australian architecture practice with heritage and accessibility design offerings across commercial, civic, and residential projects. Comparable to Access Australia on heritage-and-access-integrated commissions (e.g., Sydney Town Hall-type briefs), though access is one of many service lines rather than the core focus.
• Philip Chun Architecture & Planning: Philip Chun provides access consulting and architecture services across Australia and Asia. Comparable to Access Australia as a competing access-consulting-led firm serving government, education, and heritage clients, though with broader architectural services bolted on rather than dedicated access specialisation.

Direct peers

• Institute for Human Centered Design: The Institute for Human Centered Design is a US-based non-profit that provides accessibility consulting, training, and standards development — closely mirroring Access Australia's advisory and CRPD-aligned standards work. It is the most direct international peer in terms of methodology, regulatory engagement, and educational mission around access to the built environment.

Emerging players

• Center for Universal Design: Center for Universal Design at NC State University is a research and education center advancing universal design principles for built environments. Comparable to Access Australia as a producer of access principles and educational resources rather than fee-paying consultancy, providing an adjacent reference point for methodology development.
• Universal Design (Australia) / Centre for Inclusive Design: Centre for Inclusive Design and the broader Australian inclusive design ecosystem overlap with Access Australia on accessibility advisory work for governments and educational institutions, particularly in DDA / disability standards alignment, though typically operating at smaller scale or in different geographies.

Others

• Liveable Housing Australia: Liveable Housing Australia is an industry coalition that defines livable housing design standards and certifies professionals — comparable to Access Australia because both operate at the intersection of standards-setting and access consultancy, though Liveable Housing is primarily an advocacy/credentialing body rather than a competing consultancy.
• Australian Human Rights Commission: The Australian Human Rights Commission oversees DDA complaints and promotes disability rights, referencing standards like those Access Australia helps shape. It is not a competing consultancy, but is a key institutional stakeholder whose policy direction drives downstream demand for Access Australia's services.
• National Disability Services: National Disability Services is Australia's peak body for non-profit disability service providers and a key disability-sector advocacy organisation. Comparable to Access Australia as an interconnected stakeholder in the disability rights and inclusion ecosystem, but it is not a commercial consultancy peer; instead it shapes NDIS and government demand for accessibility outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Access Australia