When it comes to ensuring safety, compliance and accessibility in Australian buildings, Statutory Signage plays a critical role. These are not optional extras; they are mandatory by law and form a key part of both commercial and residential developments. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Statutory Signs, why they matter, and how they’re regulated in Australia. Whether you’re developing a new building, refurbishing an old one or simply ensuring compliance in your workplace, understanding statutory signage is essential.
What Are Statutory Signs?
In Australia, Statutory Signs refer to signs that are legally required in various types of buildings - ranging from residential complexes to large commercial and retail developments. These signs display critical information and are usually displayed on doors.
More specifically, statutory signage includes signs related to building services like:
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Fire Safety
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Electrical Infrastructure
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Communications Systems
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Water and Gas Supply
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Access Control
Essentially, these signs help people - residents, workers, visitors and emergency responders navigate buildings safely and efficiently, especially in emergencies.
Failing to display or maintain correct statutory signage can lead to serious consequences: legal penalties, closure of facilities or worse, putting lives at risk in an emergency.
Statutory Signage Australian Standards
Because of their importance, Statutory Signs in Australia are subject to strict standards to ensure consistency, legibility and effectiveness. The main standard guiding these signs is:
AS 1319–1994 - Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment
This Australian Standard specifies the guidelines for designing, manufacturing and placing safety and statutory signs in occupational settings. Key aspects include:
1. Design and Colour
Statutory signs typically come in black and white colour combinations in line with modern architectural requirements. At New Signs, we provide statutory signage in both black with white text and white with black text to suit your building’s aesthetic while remaining compliant.
Other sign colours and their meanings are as follows:
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Red for fire-related signs
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Green for safety (e.g., exits, first aid)
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Blue for mandatory actions
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Yellow for caution or hazard alerts
2. Placement
Signs must be positioned at eye level in highly visible locations near the relevant feature (e.g., fire hose reels, switchboards or pump rooms).
3. Size and Format
AS 1319 outlines minimum text sizes and formatting to ensure that messages are easily read at appropriate distances.
4. Materials
Durability is key. Signs must withstand the environmental conditions of their installation site, whether that’s indoors, outdoors or in utility rooms.
5. Maintenance
To remain compliant, signs should be regularly inspected, cleaned and replaced if damaged or faded.
View a detailed outline of Statutory Sign Specifications.
Types of Statutory Signs Available in Australia
At New Signs, we’ve built a comprehensive statutory signage range specifically tailored to meet Australian compliance requirements. Our collection covers the main categories of Statutory Signage typically required in developments:
Fire Safety Statutory Signs
Examples include:
These signs are essential in ensuring that emergency equipment is easily located and that escape routes remain clear.
Service Room and Equipment Statutory Signs
Clearly identify rooms and utilities that house essential services:
These signs help prevent unauthorised access and guide maintenance staff or emergency crews during emergencies.
Access and Directional Statutory Signs
For everyday convenience and compliance with accessibility codes:
These concise, functional signs play a small but essential role in ensuring buildings are user-friendly.
Sizes and Variations Available
To help you meet both practical needs and design requirements, New Signs offers Statutory Signs in four key sizes:
| Size | Examples |
|---|---|
| 200mm x 75mm | PUSH, PULL, LIFT, FH |
| 600mm x 75mm | Fire Hose Reel, Pump Room, Water Meter, Electrical Room |
| 600mm x 150mm | Fire Indicator Panel, Communication Room, Sprinkler Pump Room, Gas & Water Meters |
| 600mm x 300mm | Fire Door Do Not Obstruct, Hydrant and Sprinkler Pump Room, Main Switchboard Authorised Access |
Every sign in our collection is available in both colour options to maximise visibility in your specific environment.
Custom Statutory Signs – Tailored for Your Project
Not every building is the same and sometimes off-the-shelf signage won’t cut it. That’s why we also offer a Custom Statutory Signage range. Whether you need specific room names, unique labels or alternative wording to meet special requirements, you can easily create custom statutory signs through our website.
You’ll get:
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Your exact required text
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Choice of four sizes
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Choice of black/white or white/black colours
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Fast online ordering with secure checkout
Custom signage ensures that your building fully complies with regulatory requirements and avoids potential delays in project approval or certification.
Why Compliance Matters
Installing statutory signage isn’t just about ticking a box - it’s about safety, efficiency and protecting everyone who enters your building. Failing to comply with statutory signage regulations can result in:
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Legal penalties and fines from local councils or state authorities
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Increased liability in the event of an emergency
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Closure of premises until full compliance is achieved
By working with reputable providers like New Signs, you can ensure your project meets all necessary legal and safety standards from the outset.
Make Compliance Simple with New Signs
At New Signs, we make navigating Statutory Signage compliance simple and stress-free. With a wide range of ready to go Statutory Signs and fully customisable options, you can ensure your building is fully compliant, safe and accessible for everyone.
Shop our full range of statutory signage online today or get in touch with our friendly team team for assistance.
FAQ's
1. What is statutory signage?
Statutory signage refers to legally required signs in buildings that communicate critical safety, access and service information to occupants and visitors.
2. Where is statutory signage required in Australia?
Statutory signs are required in residential, commercial and retail developments under the Building Code of Australia (BCA), including workplaces and public facilities.
3. What Australian standard applies to statutory signs?
Statutory signage in Australia follows AS 1319–1994, which covers design, colour, placement, size and durability requirements for safety signs.
4. Can I customise statutory signs for my building?
Yes. New Signs offers fully customisable statutory signage options where you can specify the exact text required, with multiple sizes and colour choices available.
5. What happens if a building doesn’t have the correct statutory signage?
Non-compliance can result in fines, legal penalties, project approval delays or even temporary closure of the premises until the issue is corrected.