From selfies to security, check out the 10 main reasons disabled toilets are locked in Australia. If they are locked when do you knock?

I was waiting for the disabled toilet. It said it was occupied. I waited 15 minutes. I knocked “Are you OK in there”? No answer. I waited 5 more minutes, knocked again, then called security.

By the time security got there I’m absolutely busting. They were calling the ranger while I am almost peeing my pants. I left. My husband had found one open in an office building further up the road. So glad I had my mobility scooter.

Today I asked a person at my disability gym when they knock.

“As soon as I get there”, she said. “Then, after a few more minutes I go back up to the door and knock incessantly advising them I am disabled”. She knocks until someone comes out. “They are never disabled. They always apologize”, she said. I could see she was fuming.

Main reasons they are locked?

Yeah yeah of course it is usually someone in there. Captain Obvious!

1. Not disabled but in there anyway. Might have to ask them.
2. Baby Change Room – Many disabled toilets double up as a baby change room
3. You need a key – Disabled people use an MLAK key in Australia. It is a special key dedicated for disabled people that can’t use conventional bathrooms. With others disabled toilets you get the key from the Cafe, Surf Club etc.
4. Privacy – We joke about the “p** loo”. Able bodied people who want to do something more serious and want privacy. They use the disabled toilet.
5. The queue – The queue to the ladies toilet is 20 fold. It’s either go now or pee your pants.
6. Drugs – Then there was the one at my supermarket where they locked it off because people would do drugs in there.
7. Homeless – More than a few times I’ve waited and waited before calling security only to find that there is a homeless person living in there. You really feel for them because they’re homeless but what are I supposed to do? It’s not like there are disabled toilets everywhere.
8. Selfies – It’s very popular. I see pics all the time on Instagram.
9. Locked by security – My bug bear one though is when security lock them off. You don’t know so you’re as usual hanging doing the 15 minute wait unnecessarily. Sometimes there will just be a note on the door that says, “toilets locked. Call security”
10. Shows locked but open – But then sometimes the door says it is locked but it is open. Just press on the door…OK knock first. You don’t want any surprises!

It’s a bit of a judgement call when all you can use is a disabled toilet and it’s locked. Often there is only one. If you need to go what do you do? How long will you wait before coming up with a plan B.

Dezzie 2025