Wheelchair ramp gradients in NSW: AS 1428.1 ramp types, landings and as-built tolerance

Under AS 1428.1:2021, called up by NCC Part D4, an accessible ramp longer than 1900 mm must be no steeper than 1 in 14. It needs landings at least every 9 m at that gradient. Steeper short ramps are allowed only as step, kerb or threshold ramps within their rise and length caps. NSW currently applies NCC 2022 Amendment 2, read with its 29 October 2026 corrigendum. NCC 2025 applies from 1 May 2027.

Architects and building designers set out entry ramps at DA or CC stage. Builders and concreters face surveys after the pour. Owners of shops, clubs and churches are told they need a ramp. Certifiers check step ramps at shopfronts. This page answers which of the five AS 1428.1 surfaces applies, and whether what got built still complies.

The five sloped surfaces in AS 1428.1

AS 1428.1:2021 defines five surfaces. The choice of gradient changes the whole package of handrails, kerbs and TGSIs. Confirm every figure against the current Standard before you set out.

Surface	Gradient	Maximum rise	Maximum length	Landings	Handrails	TGSIs
Walkway	1 in 20 or flatter	None set by gradient	None set by gradient	At 15 m at 1 in 20, up to 25 m at 1 in 33	Not required on gradient alone	Not required on gradient alone
Ramp	Steeper than 1 in 20, not steeper than 1 in 14	None beyond D4D12 series limit	None beyond D4D12 series limit	Every 9 m at 1 in 14, interpolated to 15 m as it approaches 1 in 20	Both sides	Required under D4D9
Step ramp	Not steeper than 1 in 10	190 mm	1900 mm	Not intermediate	Not required	Exceptions under D4D9
Kerb ramp	Not steeper than 1 in 8	190 mm	1520 mm	Not intermediate	Not required	Exceptions under D4D9
Threshold ramp	Not steeper than 1 in 8	35 mm	280 mm	Not intermediate	Not required	Exceptions under D4D9

A walkway has no handrail requirement on gradient alone. A ramp needs handrails, kerbs or kerb rails, and TGSIs. One millimetre of fall per metre changes the whole package. See ramp handrails and kerb rails and TGSI compliance audits.

Choosing the right ramp type for your rise

Rise up to 35 mm at a door: threshold ramp.
Rise up to 190 mm with room for 1900 mm: step ramp.
At a kerb: kerb ramp.
Otherwise: a ramp at 1 in 14, or a walkway.

At 1 in 14, 643 mm of rise needs a 9 m run. A full 3.6 m storey needs about 50 m of ramp plus landings. That is why lifts appear in multi-storey buildings. See do I need a lift and platform lifts for Class 2.

NCC D4D12 limits a series of connected ramps on an accessway to a combined vertical rise of 3.6 m. A step-ramp landing must not overlap another landing. Most multi-storey buildings therefore need a passenger lift or a permitted platform lift. Some councils, such as Bayside, still prefer a ramp where one is viable. See NCC Part D4 access guide.

Landings, width and crossfall

Landing lengths are 1200 mm on a straight run. The larger turning landing applies where the ramp changes direction. Clear width is 1000 mm. Crossfall limits apply. Door swing and circulation at the top landing must be checked. See door circulation space AS 1428.

Handrails, kerbs and TGSIs on ramps

Handrails are required on both sides of a ramp. Kerbs or kerb rails prevent wheel contact. TGSIs under NCC D4D9 apply at ramps. Fire-isolated ramps, step ramps, kerb ramps and swimming pool ramps are exceptions; verify the wording in the edition cited. Luminance contrast applies to handrails and TGSIs. See luminance contrast AS 1428 and accessible stairways.

Your concrete ramp measures steeper than 1 in 14. Now what?

AS 1428.1 recognises a construction tolerance. Poured concrete always has small undulations. Concrete undulations are measured in millimetres over a 3 m straightedge. Local high spots differ from the average gradient between landings.

Where the ramp averages steeper, an accredited access consultant can assess it as a Performance Solution based on equivalent fatigue between landings. The argument is about how hard the user pushes and for how long before resting at a landing. It is not about total lifting energy.

The approved calculation uses push force F = m × g × (G + Crr). Assumptions are 120 kg, g 9.81 and Crr 0.015.

Gradient	Push force	Allowed run
1 in 14	about 101.7 N	9 m
1 in 12	about 115.8 N	about 6.04 m (about 503 mm rise), interpolated by push force
1 in 10	about 135.4 N	1.9 m

A ramp averaging 1 in 12 is acceptable only if it rises proportionately less than a compliant 1 in 14 ramp. It is not the same rise over a shorter run. See the full statement on repeated access Performance Solutions.

Missing landings, missing handrails or a rise beyond the step-ramp cap need rework or a different solution. See what is an NCC Performance Solution and performance solutions.

Catch it before OC. See occupation certificate access inspection.

Existing buildings, shopfronts and heritage entries

Step ramps at shopfronts have limits on rise and length. When the affected part of the Premises Standards triggers an upgrade, see existing building access audit and change of use fit-out access. Heritage thresholds are handled as Performance Solutions. See heritage access Performance Solutions.

Bayside DCP 2022 section 3.6.1 C8 says ramping solutions are considered preferable to lift solutions where viable. C9 then sets matters for lift solutions: safety, ease of use, reliability and comfort. This is a local example of a planning preference sitting on top of the NCC.

How Sydney Access Consultants helps

Sydney Access Consultants prepares ramp set-out reviews at DA and CC. As-built ramp checks need a site visit, which is chargeable. Performance Solution reports for ramps are prepared with the certifier. Principal Gary Finn is an Accredited Member of the Access Consultants Association (member 435). The free initial consultation covers a review of the floor plans only. Measuring an as-built ramp on site is chargeable. Call (02) 9586 3111 for a fee.

Work is based in Hurstville for metropolitan Sydney, with a focus on Cronulla, the Sutherland Shire and Georges River. On the Mid North Coast, Sandy Grey works from Black Beach.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum gradient for a wheelchair ramp in NSW?

Under AS 1428.1:2021, called up by NCC Part D4, an accessible ramp longer than 1900 mm must be no steeper than 1 in 14. It needs landings at least every 9 m at that gradient, with the interval extending towards 15 m as the ramp approaches 1 in 20. Anything 1 in 20 or flatter is a walkway, not a ramp. Steeper short ramps are allowed only as a step ramp (1 in 10, up to 190 mm rise and 1900 mm long), a kerb ramp (1 in 8, up to 190 mm rise and 1520 mm long), or a threshold ramp (1 in 8, up to 35 mm rise and 280 mm long). NSW currently applies NCC 2022 Amendment 2, read with its 29 October 2026 corrigendum.

When do you need a lift instead of a ramp?

NCC D4D12 limits a series of connected ramps on an accessway to a combined vertical rise of 3.6 m. At 1 in 14, a single storey of about 3.6 m needs roughly 50 m of ramp plus landings. Most multi-storey buildings therefore need a passenger lift or a permitted platform lift. Some councils, such as Bayside, still prefer a ramp where one is viable.

Our concrete ramp is steeper than 1 in 14 in places. Does it fail?

Not necessarily. AS 1428.1 recognises a construction tolerance, and poured concrete always has small undulations. Where the ramp averages steeper, an accredited access consultant can assess it as a Performance Solution based on equivalent fatigue between landings. A ramp averaging 1 in 12 can be accepted only if it rises proportionately less than a compliant 1 in 14 ramp. Missing landings or handrails still need fixing. Call Sydney Access Consultants on (02) 9586 3111 for a fee.