About Us

Expertise and experience

Equality Building was established as an access consultancy business in July 2011 and current and past clients include:

1 Plus 2 Architects
A Fairer World
ARTAS
Australian Building Codes Board
Australian Human Rights Commission
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
CIRCA Architects
CITTA Property Group
Equal Opportunity Tasmania
Galloway Building Surveyors
Institute of Access Training Australia
John Wardle Architects
Local Governments including Clarence City Council, Devonport City Council, Glenorchy Council, Hobart City Council, Kingborough Council, Launceston City Council, Marrickville Council, Wollongong City Council
Lee Tyers Building Surveyors
Lend Lease
Master Builders Tasmania
Milestone Building Code Certifiers
MSJ Architecture
Overton Projects
Pitt and Sherry
Smith Family
Standards Australia
Tasmanian Government including the Department for Education, Children and Young People, Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Equal Opportunity Tasmania
The Equality Trust (UK)
University of Tasmania
University of Queensland Union
Victorian Government

Previous consultancies have included providing access advice in China and Sri Lanka and compliance assessment in relation to a wide range of heritage listed buildings including former churches, schools and University buildings.

In 2000 while working at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Directors of Equality Building developed the first guidance document on workplace accommodation for the Canadian Government: A place for all: A guide to creating an inclusive workplace. The Guide has since been updated by the to take account of developments in Canadian case law and available resources.

Meet the Team

Michael Small is the founder and a Director of Equality Building. He was joined in 2018 by Robin Banks.

Both Directors have extensive networks with key disability organisations in Tasmania and beyond, both nationally and internationally.

Founder and Director

Michael Small

Having spent ten years working on the development of the Disability (Access to Premises – buildings) Standards 2010 (Cth) (Premises Standards) through membership of the Building Access Policy Committee, its technical committee and a number of Standards Australia committees, Michael offers a unique expertise in the area of building accessibility and understanding of the intent of the Premises Standards and corresponding changes to the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

In his previous role at the Australian Human Rights Commission, Michael developed a number of valuable resources to assist industry and the community better understand the requirements for equitable access and how to achieve compliance with legal obligations. This included:

Advisory Notes on Access to Premises
Guideline on access to buildings and services
The good the bad and the ugly - CD
Developing an effective action plan

In 2011, Michael prepared the Guideline on the application of the Premises Standards that is the most authoritative reference material on the Premises Standards currently available to industry in Australia. In 2013, Michael completed an update of this Guideline for the Australian Human Rights Commission in the light of application issues raised since its implementation.

Michael is an Associate member of the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA) and in 2012 was awarded the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Disability Reform. In 2016, Michael was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study building access in the USA, Canada, the UK and Ireland.

Michael was the Chair of Tasmanian disabled persons’ organisation Disability Voices Tasmania until 2023 and continues as a member of its management committee. Michael identifies as a person with disability.

michael@equalitybuilding.com.au

Director

Dr Robin Banks PhD

Having spent thirty years working as an advocate in relation to discrimination matters, particularly in respect of disability, and then a specialist discrimination lawyer, Robin offers a unique set of skills to provide advice on policy and practice in respect of discrimination prevention, diversity and inclusion.

Robin worked as a private legal practitioner as a lawyer then Senior Associate with Henry Davis York in Sydney advising small, medium and large organisations nationally including local and state governments.

She then took on the role of CEO of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, a specialist public interest legal centre in Sydney.

Moving back to Tasmania in 2010, Robin was appointed as the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. She held this statutory appointment until 2017 and during that time oversaw the development of a Disability Justice Strategy for Tasmania.

In 2023, Robin successfully completed a PhD in discrimination law in Australia.

Robin has developed and delivered training workshops and consultation processes on ensuring inclusive practices in terms of their staffing, membership and service delivery.

In all of her roles, Robin has provided practical and accurate advice that supports the strategic work of organisations.

robin@equalitybuilding.com.au