MLAK Access Toilets in Australia
1,159+ MLAK-access public toilets, plus what MLAK costs, who's eligible, and where to buy a key.
Search below to find MLAK-access toilets near you - the map and results are pre-filtered to MLAK facilities only. Read on for what MLAK actually is, current cost, eligibility, and how to order one.
What Is MLAK?
MLAK stands for Master Locksmiths Access Key - a single standardised key that opens public toilets (and sometimes lifts or other facilities) that are kept locked outside normal opening hours or for security reasons. One key works nationally: any MLAK-enabled facility anywhere in Australia uses the same lock system, so a single key bought once opens all of them.
It exists specifically so people with disability or continence needs aren't shut out of a toilet just because it's locked outside staffed hours - 1,159+ facilities across Australia are MLAK-enabled in the National Public Toilet Map dataset.
How Much Does an MLAK Key Cost?
There's no single MLAK price - it genuinely depends who you buy it from, and the gap is large enough that it's worth checking around before you pay. The Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA), which administers the scheme, lists the key at $64.00 AUD plus GST (postage included) via its own order page - that's the national anchor price if you buy centrally. But many councils and locksmiths sell the same key for less - typically in the $20-$40 range - as a local subsidised program, so it's worth checking your own council before paying the national price. Prices set by individual councils and locksmiths change and vary by area, so we don't quote specific ones here - check your council's disability access or inclusion page for its current price.
Check your council first - it's consistently the cheapest route, and some go further still:
- Some local councils cover the cost entirely for eligible residents, or sell at a reduced local rate - check your council's disability access or inclusion page first.
- Companion Card holders in Victoria and South Australia can claim one free through their state's Companion Card scheme.
- An MLAK may also be fundable through an NDIS plan - ask your plan manager.
Who's Eligible, and How to Get One
Per the MLAA, an MLAK is available to people who have a disability or continence need, or to someone with written authority from one of: a doctor, a disability organisation, a community health centre, or the owner/manager of a building that has an MLAK-enabled toilet. The order process is an application form followed by purchase (or a free-key claim, where eligible) - see the MLAA's own MLAK page for the current form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MLAK key?
MLAK stands for Master Locksmiths Access Key - a standardised key used across Australia to unlock public toilets, and sometimes other facilities like lifts, that are kept locked outside normal hours or for security. It gives people with disability or continence needs 24/7 access.
How much does an MLAK key cost?
It varies by seller. The Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia's national list price is $64.00 AUD plus GST, but many councils and locksmiths sell the same key for less - typically $20-$40 - so check your council first. Companion Card holders in Victoria and South Australia can get one free.
Who is eligible for an MLAK key?
People with disability or continence needs, or with written authority from a doctor, disability organisation, community health centre, or the owner/manager of a building with an MLAK-enabled facility.
Related Tools
- Toilet Map - the full national toilet map with every filter
- Changing Places Directory - every Changing Places facility in Australia, state by state