Elements and Performance Criteria
- Negotiate and finalise the brief to conduct an audit.
- Client requirements for conducting an access audit in a range of settings are identified.
- Nature of project, location and demographics of occupants or users are researched and noted.
- Scope of work, timelines for completion, and required service standards are identified and the organisational and personal capacity to respond within these parameters is assessed.
- Levels of risks associated with conducting the access audit are determined, protocols for risk management developed, and required insurance is arranged.
- Tools and techniques used to undertake the audit are evaluated and selected, and the audit process is discussed with client.
- Contract to undertake the audit is negotiated and finalised with the client.
- Conduct site analysis and collect evidence of compliance.
- Plan is finalised to conduct the audit and assess the compliance of the premises, facilities or service.
- Building and construction plans, specifications, planning permits and other documentation related to the audit site are obtained, read and interpreted.
- Premises, facilities and service operational management practices and procedures are obtained, read and interpreted as appropriate to the site and audit.
- Transport passenger assistance operational policies and procedures are obtained, read and interpreted as appropriate to the site and audit.
- Preparations are made with the authorised person to access the site in order to conduct the audit.
- Auditing tools required to undertake the audit are gathered and checked for accuracy and serviceability.
- Personnel required to conduct the site visit are briefed and roles are identified.
- Site visit is conducted in line with the audit plan.
- Measurements and photographs are taken and other documentary evidence is recorded and verified according to organisational requirements.
- Gaps in, and conflicts and interactions between, applicable compliance requirements are analysed and interpretations are considered and noted.
- Detailed analyses of access and use issues are communicated to client in agreed format and queries are addressed.
- Determine risk of non-compliance and identify opportunities to improve access performance.
- Legislation, standards, codes and planning scheme requirements relevant to premises, facilities and service being audited, and which prescribe access and use requirements, are accessed and reviewed.
- Outcomes of the on-site visit and the premises’, facilities’ and service’s plans and specifications are analysed to identify areas of non-compliance that warrant more detailed analysis.
- Professional expertise in specialist areas of compliance is sought as required to finalise advice and inform the development of the audit report.
- Risks of identified non-compliance are evaluated.
- Options for addressing areas of non-compliance are canvassed, taking into account costs and benefits of providing more accessible and useable premises.
- Opportunities to improve access and use and to exceed minimum compliance requirements are identified and evaluated.
- Prepare an audit report.
- Strengths and weaknesses of options for ensuring compliance or improved access and usage solutions are considered and documented.
- Opportunities are identified to seek exemptions from legislative or other requirements based on hardship grounds.
- Report addressing the compliance of the premises, outdoor spaces and transport infrastructure with legislation, standards and planning scheme requirements is drafted and reviewed for accuracy and completeness before release to the client.
- Discussions are held with the client to review the draft audit report.
- Formal report is compiled and submitted in agreed format to client and other parties as required.
- Provide ongoing advice and support.
- Explanations of elements of formal report are provided, within scope of agreed service level.
- Additional agreements for providing ongoing advice and support are negotiated and finalised with client.
- Detailed advice on elements of the formal report is provided on request throughout planning and implementation of the solution, according to service agreements.