UPDATE: Over 2 million Australians are urgently urged to apply for the Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK), granting access to secure, specialised toilets across the country. This initiative allows individuals with mobility-related disabilities, including the elderly, to unlock more than 1,000 locked bathrooms in shopping centres, parks, train stations, and other public spaces.
The program, which started over 30 years ago, aims to ensure that accessible toilets are not only clean but also available for those who cannot use standard restrooms. According to Master Locksmiths president Martin Coote, these facilities often fall victim to misuse, leading to unhygienic conditions that hinder access for those in need.
“Unfortunately, accessible public toilets, because of their privacy, are often targeted by those doing drugs, with wrong intentions or who are unfortunately sleeping rough,” Coote stated, emphasizing the critical need for this program.
Initially priced at 70.40 AUD, the MLAK keys provide lifetime access, and thanks to subsidies from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), most applicants can acquire them essentially for free. However, to qualify, individuals must provide proof of disability through written authority from a doctor, disability organisation, or healthcare group.
The push for greater MLAK access is gaining momentum, with Master Locksmiths and various disability advocacy groups calling for more eligible Australians to apply. Recent statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that more than 2 million Australians experience profound or severe mobility issues. Despite the estimated 14,000 disabled toilets in Australia, only 10 percent are MLAK-enabled, with many locked outside of operating hours.
New South Wales leads the nation in MLAK facilities, followed by Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT. Advocacy director Frances Kupke-Smith shared her personal experience, stating, “It gives me secure and reliable access to public toilets and facilities when I need them, without the stress of asking for help or worrying if a door will be locked.”
Also speaking on the matter, Isabella Choate, CEO of the Youth Disability Advocacy Network in Western Australia, highlighted that access to these toilets extends beyond physical infrastructure. “It’s about our dignity, independence, and ultimately, our inclusion in mainstream society,” she asserted. “The MLAK system is a small but powerful shift of control back into our hands.”
A renewed call is now being made for eligible Australians to apply for their MLAK keys. Those wishing to access an MLAK can apply through the Master Locksmiths website.
The ongoing advocacy for increased MLAK-enabled facilities continues, with strong calls for local councils to enhance the number available in their regions, ensuring greater access for all those in need.
For more information or to apply, visit the Master Locksmiths website now. Do you have a story tip? Email: [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube for further updates.
