Welcome to the Luminance Contrast Assessment Tool (LCAT) website.

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Find answers to explain what luminance contrast is, why you need it, how to check it and what it all means.
You can get a copy of the LCAT and learn about luminance contrast.
This is a FREE resource provided by Access Central: DDA, Accessibility and Universal Design Consultants.

Developed by an Accredited Member of the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (Lee Wilson, Member #236, Director of Egress Group Pty Ltd and Access Central).

Get your copy of the LCAT here

About the Luminance Contrast Assessment Tool

This tool complies with the methodology outlined in Appendix B of AS 1428.1 (2009) and Appendix E of AS/NZS 1428.4.1 for assessing the luminance reflective values (LRV) of building elements and tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) tested in a laboratory and uses the Bowman-Sapolinski equation to determine the luminance contrast.

Best-Practice Luminance Contrast

Whilst not mandatory requirements, there are many references from within Australia and overseas where luminance contrast is recommended in other building elements, outside those required in the BCA and Premises Standards. These are non-mandatory in new building works but help to reduce risk under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and align well with the principles of universal design.

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Mandatory Luminance Contrast

There are mandatory situations where luminance contrast is required in buildings. This table lists each reference from the BCA, Premises Standards Schedule 1 (Access Code), and Disability Standards for Public Transport where luminance contrast is required in building elements. These are mandatory requirements in new building works requiring a building approval or permit.