Some say it’s overdue, others say it’s unnecessary: Where do you stand on this bathroom debate?
- Replies 4
Access to public spaces is something many take for granted, but for some, even something as simple as using a bathroom can become a daily challenge.
As conversations around inclusion and safety continue, changes are being considered that could reshape the way facilities are designed in Australia.
At the heart of the debate is a push for greater accessibility—one that has sparked both support and controversy.
Navigating public spaces was an everyday challenge for Sol, an 18-year-old student who identified and presented as non-binary.
Using public bathrooms often meant choosing between feeling out of place or enduring discomfort until they returned home.
‘I have both masculine and feminine traits. Regardless of which bathroom I walk into, someone's giving me a weird look,’ Sol said.
‘They'll do a double-take at the sign or they'll stare at me at the sinks. It's an uncomfortable space to be in because my right to exist in this space is always being questioned.’
For Sol, the issue extended beyond discomfort, as they had faced intimidation and even physical danger when using gendered toilets.
‘Listening to your body shouldn't be this complicated. It shouldn't be this compromising or painful.’
The growing discussion around bathroom access had led some institutions to introduce all-gender facilities in an effort to create safer and more inclusive spaces.
Universities and schools across Australia had begun installing all-gender bathrooms, with major sporting venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Marvel Stadium following suit.
WorkSafe Victoria had also updated its workplace regulations, requiring large employers to offer at least one all-gender option.
Now, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) was considering adjustments to the National Construction Code (NCC) to make it easier to build all-gender bathrooms.
What are all-gender toilets?
All-gender bathrooms were facilities designed for use by people of any gender, without signage restricting access to men or women.
The University of Queensland had implemented these facilities, with signs that simply indicated they were open to all.
Australian Government Guidelines defined gender as ‘a person's deeply felt internal and individual identity,’ which might not align with their assigned sex at birth.
Gender expression refers to how individuals present themselves outwardly, including through appearance, dress, mannerisms, and names.
Terms like transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender diverse were used to describe people who did not conform to traditional binary gender norms.
What changes are being proposed?
The ABCB aimed to remove obstacles in the NCC that made it more difficult to introduce all-gender toilets in Australia.
Existing regulations only provided guidelines for male, female, or unisex-accessible bathrooms, which added complexities and costs when certifying all-gender facilities.
Under the proposed changes, parameters for all-gender toilets would be added, simplifying the approval process while keeping their construction voluntary.
The changes did not mandate the removal of gendered bathrooms, except in cases where only two toilets were required.
Additionally, the terminology in the NCC would be updated to consistently use ‘gender’ instead of ‘sex’ and ‘accessible’ instead of ‘unisex.’
Consultations on these amendments had been held over two months, gathering input from industry and stakeholders.
Why are these changes being considered?
The ABCB stated that ‘embracing diversity, and reflecting it in our built environment, will contribute to the well-being of all individuals and foster a more accepting and supportive community.’
The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that around 178,900 Australians aged 16 and older identified as transgender or non-binary.
A further 63,300 individuals reported being born with variations of sex characteristics that did not conform to typical medical classifications.
Advocates argued that all-gender bathrooms were essential for ensuring safety and inclusivity in public spaces.
A 2022 report found that some transgender and gender-diverse students used school bathrooms in secret to avoid harassment.
‘In the women's bathrooms, I'm scared of making people feel uncomfortable, and in the men's bathrooms, I've had awful experiences,’ Sol said.
‘Like, in my high school, two boys tried to kick down the door of the stall I was using—it was terrifying.’
The NSW Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) found that some students avoided using bathrooms altogether out of fear.
The report stated that some ‘did not feel safe to use the boys' toilets for fear of harassment. However, if they were to use the girls' toilets, they were worried their peers would take this as a reversal of their stated gender.’
Some students choose to drink less water during the day to avoid needing the school toilets, leading to dehydration.
As a result, the ACYP recommended that all NSW schools provide at least one all-gender bathroom alongside gendered options.
Since 2023, WorkSafe Victoria had required workplaces to offer at least one all-gender toilet for every 50 employees, ‘so far as is reasonably practicable.’
The workplace code specified that these bathrooms must be separate from accessible toilets.
Why not use accessible toilets?
Some workplaces and institutions had repurposed accessible toilets as all-gender facilities, but advocates argued that this was not a viable solution.
Accessible bathrooms were designed for people with disabilities, featuring support rails and extra space for mobility aids.
Sol said they felt uncomfortable using these facilities, knowing there was often only one stall available.
She said: ‘Whenever I go in there, I feel shame. I'm able-bodied and there's only one stall.’
The ACYP reported that requiring transgender and gender-diverse students to use accessible toilets could force them to disclose their identity unwillingly.
Some also felt that equating gender expression with disability was inappropriate.
However, the additional costs and regulations associated with all-gender bathrooms had led some organisations to use accessible facilities and simply change signage.
The University of Technology Sydney had adopted this approach in 2019, updating the signage on existing accessible bathrooms.
Are all-gender toilets safe for everyone?
Concerns about the safety of women and girls were frequently raised in discussions about all-gender bathrooms.
However, the proposed changes did not seek to replace single-gender toilets but rather to introduce additional options.
The Diversity Council of Australia (DCA) supported offering multiple choices to accommodate the diverse needs of Australians.
‘Women and girls, including trans women and girls, may feel safer sharing spaces with people of the same gender, especially workers who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence,’ the organisation stated.
It noted that factors like cleanliness, lighting, location, and overall security played a more significant role in perceptions of safety than the presence of all-gender bathrooms.
Some individuals, including members of Muslim, Orthodox Jewish, and Hindu communities, preferred gender-segregated spaces due to cultural or religious beliefs.
The Report on Sexual Assault on Campus by the Human Rights Commission found that transgender and gender-diverse students faced a higher risk of sexual harassment in university settings.
Sol said negative stereotypes about their community contributed to misunderstandings and fear.
‘I hear about so many people viewing my community as predators,’ Sol said.
‘It's really not accurate and it's a harmful stereotype that breeds a lot of fear and separation.’
‘I want everyone to have access to safe, clean bathrooms that accommodate their needs.’
As more all-gender bathrooms are introduced across Australia, do you think these changes will make public spaces more inclusive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
As conversations around inclusion and safety continue, changes are being considered that could reshape the way facilities are designed in Australia.
At the heart of the debate is a push for greater accessibility—one that has sparked both support and controversy.
Navigating public spaces was an everyday challenge for Sol, an 18-year-old student who identified and presented as non-binary.
Using public bathrooms often meant choosing between feeling out of place or enduring discomfort until they returned home.
‘I have both masculine and feminine traits. Regardless of which bathroom I walk into, someone's giving me a weird look,’ Sol said.
‘They'll do a double-take at the sign or they'll stare at me at the sinks. It's an uncomfortable space to be in because my right to exist in this space is always being questioned.’
For Sol, the issue extended beyond discomfort, as they had faced intimidation and even physical danger when using gendered toilets.
‘Listening to your body shouldn't be this complicated. It shouldn't be this compromising or painful.’
The growing discussion around bathroom access had led some institutions to introduce all-gender facilities in an effort to create safer and more inclusive spaces.
Universities and schools across Australia had begun installing all-gender bathrooms, with major sporting venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Marvel Stadium following suit.
WorkSafe Victoria had also updated its workplace regulations, requiring large employers to offer at least one all-gender option.
Now, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) was considering adjustments to the National Construction Code (NCC) to make it easier to build all-gender bathrooms.
What are all-gender toilets?
All-gender bathrooms were facilities designed for use by people of any gender, without signage restricting access to men or women.
The University of Queensland had implemented these facilities, with signs that simply indicated they were open to all.
Australian Government Guidelines defined gender as ‘a person's deeply felt internal and individual identity,’ which might not align with their assigned sex at birth.
Gender expression refers to how individuals present themselves outwardly, including through appearance, dress, mannerisms, and names.
Terms like transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender diverse were used to describe people who did not conform to traditional binary gender norms.
What changes are being proposed?
The ABCB aimed to remove obstacles in the NCC that made it more difficult to introduce all-gender toilets in Australia.
Existing regulations only provided guidelines for male, female, or unisex-accessible bathrooms, which added complexities and costs when certifying all-gender facilities.
Under the proposed changes, parameters for all-gender toilets would be added, simplifying the approval process while keeping their construction voluntary.
The changes did not mandate the removal of gendered bathrooms, except in cases where only two toilets were required.
Additionally, the terminology in the NCC would be updated to consistently use ‘gender’ instead of ‘sex’ and ‘accessible’ instead of ‘unisex.’
Consultations on these amendments had been held over two months, gathering input from industry and stakeholders.
Why are these changes being considered?
The ABCB stated that ‘embracing diversity, and reflecting it in our built environment, will contribute to the well-being of all individuals and foster a more accepting and supportive community.’
The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that around 178,900 Australians aged 16 and older identified as transgender or non-binary.
A further 63,300 individuals reported being born with variations of sex characteristics that did not conform to typical medical classifications.
Advocates argued that all-gender bathrooms were essential for ensuring safety and inclusivity in public spaces.
A 2022 report found that some transgender and gender-diverse students used school bathrooms in secret to avoid harassment.
‘In the women's bathrooms, I'm scared of making people feel uncomfortable, and in the men's bathrooms, I've had awful experiences,’ Sol said.
‘Like, in my high school, two boys tried to kick down the door of the stall I was using—it was terrifying.’
The NSW Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) found that some students avoided using bathrooms altogether out of fear.
The report stated that some ‘did not feel safe to use the boys' toilets for fear of harassment. However, if they were to use the girls' toilets, they were worried their peers would take this as a reversal of their stated gender.’
Some students choose to drink less water during the day to avoid needing the school toilets, leading to dehydration.
As a result, the ACYP recommended that all NSW schools provide at least one all-gender bathroom alongside gendered options.
Since 2023, WorkSafe Victoria had required workplaces to offer at least one all-gender toilet for every 50 employees, ‘so far as is reasonably practicable.’
The workplace code specified that these bathrooms must be separate from accessible toilets.
Why not use accessible toilets?
Some workplaces and institutions had repurposed accessible toilets as all-gender facilities, but advocates argued that this was not a viable solution.
Accessible bathrooms were designed for people with disabilities, featuring support rails and extra space for mobility aids.
Sol said they felt uncomfortable using these facilities, knowing there was often only one stall available.
She said: ‘Whenever I go in there, I feel shame. I'm able-bodied and there's only one stall.’
The ACYP reported that requiring transgender and gender-diverse students to use accessible toilets could force them to disclose their identity unwillingly.
Some also felt that equating gender expression with disability was inappropriate.
However, the additional costs and regulations associated with all-gender bathrooms had led some organisations to use accessible facilities and simply change signage.
The University of Technology Sydney had adopted this approach in 2019, updating the signage on existing accessible bathrooms.
Are all-gender toilets safe for everyone?
Concerns about the safety of women and girls were frequently raised in discussions about all-gender bathrooms.
However, the proposed changes did not seek to replace single-gender toilets but rather to introduce additional options.
The Diversity Council of Australia (DCA) supported offering multiple choices to accommodate the diverse needs of Australians.
‘Women and girls, including trans women and girls, may feel safer sharing spaces with people of the same gender, especially workers who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence,’ the organisation stated.
It noted that factors like cleanliness, lighting, location, and overall security played a more significant role in perceptions of safety than the presence of all-gender bathrooms.
Some individuals, including members of Muslim, Orthodox Jewish, and Hindu communities, preferred gender-segregated spaces due to cultural or religious beliefs.
The Report on Sexual Assault on Campus by the Human Rights Commission found that transgender and gender-diverse students faced a higher risk of sexual harassment in university settings.
Sol said negative stereotypes about their community contributed to misunderstandings and fear.
‘I hear about so many people viewing my community as predators,’ Sol said.
‘It's really not accurate and it's a harmful stereotype that breeds a lot of fear and separation.’
‘I want everyone to have access to safe, clean bathrooms that accommodate their needs.’
As more all-gender bathrooms are introduced across Australia, do you think these changes will make public spaces more inclusive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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