Providing clear paths to access and enjoy Christmas events and celebrations.
The Christmas Access Standard focuses on removing barriers so everyone, whether they are delivering the magic or simply enjoying it, can fully participate in the season.
From elves needing quick access to school reports to check the naughty or nice list, to reindeer navigating rooftops and porches for Santa’s deliveries, this Standard ensures everything is in place for the big day to run smoothly.
It also ensures that traditions flow easily, whether that means providing a quiet space to escape the hustle, ensuring clear paths to the buffet table, or making sure everyone knows what time to gather for gift unwrapping.
The Christmas Access Standard helps everyone, helpers and guests alike, share in the festive joy without unnecessary hurdles.
The criteria
Understand how users access Christmas
Identify the ways different groups celebrate the season and design spaces that respect various access needs.Define your Christmas offering
Make your Christmas plans clear, with well-defined event schedules, resources, and points of contact for questions.Find reusable platforms and capabilities
Choose elements that can go the distance, like decorations that also work for New Year’s, or festive treats that can be repurposed into leftovers for Boxing Day and beyond.Follow the Christmas decision-making framework
Use clear, consistent steps in planning so that every Christmas event meets the Department’s festive standards.Engage with your delivery partners
Work with all the key players, from toy assembly technicians and gift-wrapping specialists to festive playlist curators and dessert distributors. A seamless Christmas depends on everyone knowing their role.
Meeting the Standard
Prioritisation
Assessment to understand if a proposed Christmas service or event has been considered or planned for integration with an existing Christmas service or event.
Contestability
Assessment to ensure Christmas proposals have considered and planned for integration with existing Christmas services or events and that the services will be interoperable, in line with the requirements of the Christmas Access Standard.
Assurance
Monitoring and assurance to understand if the service is being delivered in line with the requirements in the Christmas Access Standard.
Operations
Ongoing monitoring of compliance and progress in simplifying the Christmas service ecosystem, using Christmas compliance data and existing reporting mechanisms such as the National Gift Appropriateness Inquiry, the Global Behaviour Tracking Network and the Naughty Rehabilitation Program.
Related standards
The Christmas Access Standard is one of 4 standards that form part of the Christmas Experience Policy. Other standards include:
Spread the Christmas cheer
The Smith Family have been spreading joy and changing lives for nearly 100 years.
Donate this Christmas season through the Smith Family website. Your generosity will give a child in need the chance to share in the excitement by opening their own Christmas toys and books.