The European Accessibility Act (EAA) 2025: What Australian organizations need to know

If you’re involved in digital products or services in Australia, there’s a significant change on the horizon and you’ll need to be ready for it. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is coming, and it might affect your organization more than you think.

What is the EAA?

The European Accessibility Act is a landmark piece of legislation designed to ensure digital products and services are accessible to the 87 million people living with disabilities in the EU. Coming into force on June 28, 2025, it sets new standards for digital accessibility across:

Digital devices (computers, smartphones, e-readers)
Online services (e-commerce platforms, banking services)
Digital infrastructure (websites, mobile applications, electronic services)
Communication tools (digital interfaces, interactive systems)

How does the EAA impact Australian organizations?

“But we’re in Australia!” you might be thinking. And fair point. But here’s why the EAA matters to matters to Australian organizations:

If your digital products or services can be accessed by people in the EU, you’ll need to comply
Non-compliance could result in legal consequences and reputational damage
Meeting these standards will benefit all your users, not just those in Europe (good thing!)
it will ensure you maintain access to the EU market

Current standards vs new requirements

Australian current standards

If you’re not government / public sector, there are no current legal requirements for digital accessibility in Australia (though we hope you follow the minimum standards)

WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance (recommended for all organizations, with legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA))
Australian Government Digital Service Standard (mandatory for government sector)

New EAA mandatory requirements

Products and services must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust
Technical requirements for digital interfaces (screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation)
Ability to demonstrate compliance if challenged

Optional/situational requirements

Regular compliance reporting (required in specific sectors)
Documentation requirements (vary by organization type and size)

Getting ready for compliance

Here’s are some practical steps you can take to ensure you comply with the new EAA regulations when they come into effect:

Step 1: Accessibility Assessment

Start with these free tools to understand how you stack up right now:

Step 2: Implementation Guide

Immediate actions

Run automated accessibility tests
Check keyboard navigation
Test with screen readers
Review color contrast

Document structure

Implement proper heading hierarchy
Add descriptive alt text
Ensure proper form labels
Use meaningful link and button text

Interactive elements

Ensure keyboard accessibility
Add visible focus indicators
Structure menus and modals properly
Test with assistive technologies

Step 3: Allocate Role-specific Responsibilities

Product Managers

Include accessibility in roadmap
Define acceptance criteria
Budget for tools and training
Schedule regular audits

Design Teams

Create accessible design systems
Document contrast requirements
Design focus states
Plan accessible navigation

Development Teams

Implement automated testing
Create accessible components
Document features
Maintain ARIA implementation
Check on third-party integrations and legacy systems

Timeline and Planning

As a general guide, you could follow this timeline to help ensure you’re ready.

First month

Audit digital assets
Identify compliance gaps
Develop roadmap
Begin staff training

In 1-2 months

Implement technical improvements
Update design systems
Document features
Begin user testing

In 2-3 months

Complete implementation
Conduct comprehensive testing
Prepare documentation
Set up monitoring

Ongoing Maintenance

As with most things digital, the job is never done. Once you meet the new minimum standard, you’ll want to monitor and maintain it. In order to do this, ensure you establish regular plans for:

Accessibility audits
User feedback collection
Compliance documentation
Technology updates

Need Help?

The Australian digital community is pretty great at sharing knowledge, alternatively you can hire an accessibility consultant. Either way, here are some resources that might help:

Local Networks

Professional Support

Consider engaging accessibility consultants for complex issues or comprehensive audits.

Conclusion

The EAA 2025 represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Australian organizations. By taking proactive steps toward compliance, you’re not just meeting legal requirements – you’re creating better digital experiences for all users globally. Feel good about that!

Deadlines can be daunting, but the sooner you start, the easier compliance will be. Think of this as an opportunity to improve your digital products for everyone, while also protecting your organization from potential legal and market risks. Start small, keep improving, and eventually you’ll be on top.