Disability information
Cairns is an accessible and welcoming city. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our natural environment and facilities no matter what their abilities.
We have more braille and tactile street signage than in any other regional city, and we have an extensive networks of shared off-road paths.
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2024-2026
In October 2023, Council endorsed the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2024-2026, which builds on the previous plan’s achievements and outlines ongoing targets towards improving equitable access, inclusion and community resilience.
Council consulted advocacy and lived experience groups to ensure the perspectives of people with disability are at the forefront of the plan, while conversations with key disability support providers and local businesses helped place the plan in the context of the broader community.
The responsibility of actions is spread throughout Council teams, demonstrating a whole-of-organisation approach to placing inclusion at the forefront of Council operations.
Council takes pride in progress made and looks forward to continuing this journey. For further information or assistance relating to Council’s DAIP and other Council initiatives relating to disability, please contact disability@cairns.qld.gov.au or 1300 692 247.
Accessible Cairns: Access for All Directory
Our Access for All Directory helps locals and visitors with a disability, as well as their family, friends, carers and support workers, to plan their trip to and access services around the Cairns region.
To use the directory:
- Choose a location
- Select an available service
- Download the documents for a detailed description of the accessibility features of the property including:
- access to public areas and entry to reception (e.g. number of steps)
- number of accessible rooms available and bed configurations
- are assistance dogs welcomed
- ramp locations
- sanitary facilities
- parking
- photographs and measurements of rooms for wheelchair access.
List your business in the directory
Would you like your business to be listed in the Access for All Directory? If so, contact Council's Access & Equity Officer by email disability@cairns.qld.gov.au.
Services and information for people with disability in Cairns
The following services enhance and facilitate equitable access to assets by all members of our community, and help foster a socially inclusive community in which people are not discriminated against.
Cairns Performing Arts Centre has a hearing loop that uses the Telicoil software. You can find out more about accessibility features, ramps and disabled parking at our arts venues here.
Council provides an Infirm Service to residents who are physically incapable of placing their wheelie bins out for collection and have no able-bodied person living with them. The waste collection contractor will enter the resident's property to collect the bins and return them after servicing.
A written letter from a medical professional (GP, occupational therapist, health care professional or nursing agent) is required for this service. There is no additional cost for the infirm service; it is covered under the annual cleansing charge on the property.
You can download and fill in this form to apply for the service ( PDF, 0.54 MB ). Contact Council on 1300 69 22 47 for more information.
If you come across a damaged footpath or other issue that is a public safety issue and/or restricts accessibility in public places, please report the details including exact location to Council's Customer Service Centre by phoning 1300 69 22 47. Alternatively, you can use our online form to report a problem or request service or download the My Cairns App to report a problem.
Be sure to specify that this is a disability or access issue in the Details box to help us better serve you.
If you hold a blue Queensland accessible parking permit, you can use on-street and off-street accessible parking bays as well as paid parking bays - including pay-and-display spaces - for an unlimited time, free of charge*. You are exempt from the general time limit in all traffic areas (eg a 3P zone).
We recognise all interstate and international accessible parking permits.Please display your permit where it is easily visible on the car's dashboard.
Skip ahead to our Accessible Parking finder.
Drivers must obey regulations applying to taxi zones, loading zones, bus zones and no stopping zones.
*Free parking is not available at Council's Lake Street Car Park or the Cairns Performing Arts Centre Car Park as these are operated by boom gates.
Disability permit conditions of use
Your permit must:
- be used to park only in the parking spaces stated
- be clearly displayed so the permit number and expiry date are visible from the outside of the vehicle
- be displayed when you (or the eligible person for organisations) are getting in or out of the vehicle
- be displayed in a vehicle up to and including 4.5t gross vehicle mass
- not be damaged, altered or copied.
Where the permit holder is the passenger in the vehicle and the driver drops the permit holder at the entrance to a building (e.g. shopping centre, doctors surgery) the driver is not eligible to then park the vehicle in a disability parking bay.
The permit cannot be used by anyone other than the permit-holder or eligible person. (e.g. A permit cannot be used or displayed to access disability parking by family members, friends or anyone other than the permit-holder.)
Permit conditions must be followed or fines may be issued.
Cairns has the largest Braille and tactile street name program in regional Australia. We have installed over 250 Braille and tactile street name signs located above every pedestrian button throughout the CBD, and at eight schools and major intersections.
The signs provide much needed street name and directional information and way-finding for a person with vision impairment.
The signs also assist every member of the community and tourist to Cairns, as the signs are easily readable and located appropriately.
The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) enables people with disabilities to gain 24/7 access to a network of public facilities across Australia. People with a disability are able to purchase an MLAK master key which will open all toilets, playgrounds and other facilities which are fitted with this specially designed lock.
In Cairns, the MLAK system is fitted to the Change-Ability change rooms at Woree and Smithfield pools, Lagoon accessible toilet, Behana Gorge access gate and the Liberty Swing at Muddy's Playground on the Esplanade. On-site signage at the facilities provides contact numbers to call for immediate access without an MLAK key.
If you are a local member of the community with disability, a visitor with disability or an organisation or carer of a person with disability you can fill in the application form below or visit Council's Customer Service desk in person to request a key.
Please note that, if you visit customer service, you will need to bring with you one of the following proof of disability documents:
- Mobility parking permit
- Disability card
- Letter from your doctor
- Letter from a disability organisation.
If you fill in the form, you will need to have a copy of one these documents ready to upload.
When Council hosts an event where a person who is deaf or hard of hearing is known to be attending, we will ensure we have an Auslan interpreter on hand. Please tell us if you require an interpreter prior to attending so we can book an interpreter through Deaf Services Queensland.
Council's Customer Service Centres at Spence Street and Manunda Library have a portable hearing induction device to enable a hearing impaired person to communicate efficiently with customer service team members. Please indicate your requirement to the staff on arrival.
We also have a hearing induction loop installed in our the Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre at Edge Hill.
A beach wheelchair is available for free hire at Palm Cove during patrol hours year-round. Just ask the on-duty lifeguard to issue it to you and fill in the indemnity book.
A beach wheelchair is available for free hire at Ellis Beach (Queensland Life Saver station) from noon on Saturdays and all day Sunday and public holidays during the months of April to November .
Council's Stay Safe: Mobility Guide ( PDF, 2.36 MB ) contains helpful information on how to safely use motorised scooters and wheelchairs including tips on:
- Queensland Transport rules and registration requirements
- Travelling on public transport, trains and taxis
- Crossing roads and railway lines
- Sharing the footpath and avoiding 'footpath rage'
- Emergency breakdown service and battery recharge station
Two full change rooms have been installed at Woree Pool and Smithfield Pools. The rooms incorporate ceiling track hoists (you must have your own sling for hygiene reasons), height-adjustable change beds, shower and toilet with adequate space for two carers should you require them.
Council has prepared cyclone information in different formats to ensure all sections of our community can plan, pack and listen.
People with hearing or vision impairments or complex communication needs can use our accessible and multi-lingual cyclone and emergency information resources.
Support and information resources
- Companion Card information - a program that enable eligible people with lifelong disability to participate at venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their companion.
- The Disability Gateway has information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia.
- National Public Toilet map - to find accessible amenities throughout Australia.
- Accesshub is the central place to go online to find out about communication options available to people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment. Accesshub also provides information for accessing the National Relay Service.
- Deaf Services Queensland - Cairns contact point for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Disability Services by the Queensland Government
- Vision Australia - Blindness and low vision services
- Spinal Life Australia, and the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre in Cairns, offer respite, short/medium-term accommodation or holiday accommodation for people living with spinal cord damage and their families.
Legislation
- Human Rights and Discrimination - visit the Queensland Human Rights Commission for information about Queensland's human rights law and discrimination and the Australian Human Rights Commission.
- Legislation for Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs - The Queensland Government's people with disability website provides information for handlers and trainers of guide, hearing and assistance dogs. Information includes how to choose a guide, hearing or assistance dog, certification, obtaining a handler identity card; accessing public spaces and travelling with a guide, hearing or assistance dog.
Accessible parking in the Cairns Region
Last Updated: 21 November 2023
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