Braille and tactile signage requirements in NSW (NCC D4D7 and Specification 15)
In a NSW building that has to be accessible, the NCC requires braille and tactile signs at every sanitary facility, every room with a hearing augmentation system, and every door that needs an exit sign. Each one goes on the latch-side wall, 50–300 mm from the architrave, with the tactile part 1200–1600 mm above the floor. This page sets out the required signs, the set-out rules and the defects that commonly hold up a final access inspection for an Occupation Certificate. The rules come from NCC 2022 Amendment 2 Part D4 (D4D7) and Specification 15, as applied in NSW until 1 May 2027.
Which signs are required
The following table lists the signs required under NCC Volume One Part D4 clause D4D7 for buildings that must provide access for people with a disability. Details of symbols and hand-of-use markings follow AS 1428.1:2021 as referenced by the Premises Standards from 29 July 2025 and by NCC 2022 Amendment 2.
| Location / situation | Sign required | Braille and tactile? | NCC clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each sanitary facility (except one associated with a bedroom in a Class 1b building, or with a sole-occupancy unit in a Class 3 or 9c building) | ID sign with the international symbol of access (or deafness, as appropriate) to AS 1428.1 | Yes | D4D7(1)(a)(i)(A) |
| Space with a hearing augmentation system | ID sign with the international symbol for deafness | Yes | D4D7(1)(a)(i)(B) |
| Inside a room with hearing augmentation | System type, area covered, and where receivers can be obtained if used | Not specified as braille | D4D7(1)(b) |
| Each door that E4D5 requires to have an exit sign | "Exit" and "Level" and the floor level number or descriptor | Yes | D4D7(1)(a)(ii) |
| Accessible unisex sanitary facility | Left- or right-handed use, to AS 1428.1 | Yes (as part of ID) | D4D7(1)(c) |
| Ambulant accessible sanitary facility | Sign on the door, to AS 1428.1 | As required by the Standard | D4D7(1)(d) |
| Inaccessible pedestrian entrance | Directional sign with the international symbol of access to the nearest accessible entrance | Yes where Spec 15 applies | D4D7(1)(e) |
| Bank of toilets without an accessible unisex facility | Directional sign to the nearest one | Yes where Spec 15 applies | D4D7(1)(f) |
| Building subject to F4D12 (accessible adult change facility) | Directional signs complying with Spec 15 at each bank of sanitary facilities and each accessible unisex facility (other than one that includes the adult change facility) | Yes | D4D7(2) |
See also the disabled toilet regulations page for sanitary facility details, the hearing augmentation page for system signs, and the accessible adult change facilities page for F4D12 directional signs.
Where the sign goes: height and set-out
Specification 15 clause S15C2 sets the location. Braille and tactile components must be between 1200 mm and 1600 mm above the floor. For single-line signs the tactile line is between 1250 mm and 1350 mm. The sign goes on the wall on the latch side of the door, with the leading edge 50 mm to 300 mm from the architrave. It may go on the door only where the wall is not available. Exit door signs face the person seeking egress.
A simple elevation shows the 1200–1600 mm band, the single-line band, and the 50–300 mm latch-side offset. Common site conflicts include a glazed sidelight on the latch side, a light switch or door closer in the 50–300 mm zone, a door hard against a return wall, double doors, and signs fixed only on the corridor side of exit doors.
The reason for preferring the wall over the door is that an opening door can strike a person reading the sign. In our experience the most frequent location defects are signs fixed to the door when the latch-side wall was free, and signs outside the height band.
What the sign itself must be (Specification 15)
- Tactile characters raised 1–1.5 mm, title case, upper case 15–55 mm (or 20–55 mm on exit-door signs), Arial, matt or low-sheen, rounded edges (S15C3).
- 30% luminance contrast between the sign (or a 5 mm border) and the mounting surface, and between the characters and the sign (S15C4). See the luminance contrast page for the method.
- Lit well enough to read (S15C5).
- Grade 1 braille located 8 mm below the text and left-justified, with a braille locator on multi-line signs (S15C6).
These are manufacturing specifications. Obtain the supplier’s compliance statement. Location, contrast against the wall and lighting are decided on site, and that is where signs most often fail at the final inspection.
Note that tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) are a different requirement under D4D9 and AS 1428.4.1. See the TGSI compliance audits page if you are looking for ground indicators rather than wall signs.
Why signage fails at the final access inspection
In our experience as Accredited Access Consultants performing final inspections for Occupation Certificates, signage defects are usually about location and completeness rather than the sign manufacture itself. Common faults include:
- Sign fixed to the door when the latch-side wall was available.
- Wrong height, or the braille outside the 1200–1600 mm band.
- Exit door signs missing “Level” and the floor descriptor, or fixed on the wrong side of the door.
- Accessible toilet missing the left- or right-hand sign, or showing the wrong hand.
- Ambulant toilet sign on the wall instead of the door.
- A sign with no 30% contrast against the wall (white on white, or dark on dark tiles).
- Hearing augmentation room with the ID sign but no in-room information sign.
- Directional signs to the accessible toilet or entrance left out of the order.
Check the signage schedule against the door schedule at Construction Certificate stage. Book the final access inspection after signs are installed. See the final access inspection for Occupation Certificate page.
Signage in Class 2 apartments and existing buildings
For Class 2 apartments the NCC access provisions apply to common areas (D4D2). Sanitary and exit-door signage rules therefore apply wherever those facilities and doors are in the common areas. See the apartment access reports page.
For existing buildings and fit-outs, new work and the affected part under the Premises Standards apply when building approval is sought. See the change of use fit-out access page and the existing building access audit page.
A pre-OC signage check you can run
- Every accessible and ambulant toilet signed, with the hand of use shown where required.
- Every exit-sign door has a braille “Exit / Level” sign on the egress side.
- Heights within the 1200–1600 mm band (single-line 1250–1350 mm).
- Latch side 50–300 mm from the architrave, on the wall where possible.
- 30% contrast to the wall.
- Hearing augmentation signs in and outside the room.
- Directional signs installed where an entrance or toilet bank is not accessible.
Answer-ready questions
Which signs need braille and tactile in a NSW building?
Under NCC Part D4 (D4D7) and Specification 15, a building that must be accessible needs braille and tactile signs at each sanitary facility (with limited exceptions for toilets in private rooms of some accommodation buildings), at each space with a hearing augmentation system, and at each door that needs an exit sign. Exit-door signs must say “Exit” and “Level” and give the floor level number or name.
How high and where does a braille sign go?
The braille and tactile parts of the sign sit between 1200 and 1600 mm above the floor. A single line of tactile text sits between 1250 and 1350 mm. The sign goes on the wall on the latch side of the door, with its leading edge 50–300 mm from the architrave. It goes on the door itself only where the wall cannot take it.
Why does signage fail the final access inspection?
In our experience it is usually location rather than the sign itself. Common faults are signs fixed to the door when the latch-side wall was free, signs outside the height band, missing “Level” signs at exit doors, a missing left- or right-hand sign on the accessible toilet, and signs without 30% contrast against the wall. Checking the signage schedule at Construction Certificate stage avoids most of them.
Get your signage right before OC
Send the signage schedule, door schedule and plans for a review before ordering, or book a final access inspection. Call (02) 9586 3111 for a fee. Office in Hurstville, working across Sydney, Sutherland Shire and NSW.
Gary Finn is an Accredited Member of the Access Consultants Association (member 435). Sydney Access Consultants provides independent access consulting. Links checked against live site files before pack. Last updated 10 November 2026. See also the NCC Part D4 access guide, what certifiers want and NCC 2025 NSW access.