Wayfinding Signage Regulations in Australian Healthcare Facilities

Compliance with legal standards and guidelines is not optional when it comes to healthcare facilities. That’s why even the smallest details, like wayfinding signage, have regulations that need to be followed. These rules provide a safe, accessible, and universally understandable way for people to arrive in their intended places.

That said, having a clear and compliant signage system is important to avoid costly mistakes such as legal non-conformity or failed accreditation. To help you manage wayfinding strategies, we’ll tackle on signage and its regulations specific to Australian healthcare facilities.

Australian Standards and Regulations for Signages

There are specific guidelines that healthcare facilities should have in their wayfinding signage. Here are the most significant rules to follow:

AS 1428.1

The AS 1428.1, also known as the Design for Access and Mobility, ensures signs placed for hospitals are accessible for people with impairment. The Australian Building Codes Board shared the updated requirements for signages, which are:

• Signage should include tactile and braille features for inclusivity.

• Signs should be at heights reachable from seating and standing.

• Letters should be properly sized so they are readable at expected viewing distances.

With this regulation, it basically helps improve patients’ experience in healthcare facilities.

AS 1319

The AS 1319, or Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment, governs warning, mandatory, and emergency signs. This includes exit signs, fire safety, and hazard warnings. Specific colours are also used to signify urgency, such as:

• Green - used in emergency signage and wayfinding.

• Red - used in fire and prohibition signs.

• Yellow - used for general warnings.

Aside from colour coding, standard pictograms should be used for universal understanding. For example, the National Safety and Quality Health Service conducts safe environment inspections that include clear medical signage.

Illumination and Visibility Standards

Aside from mandated standards, wayfinding signage should be visible and readable in low light and power failures. Signs that are internally illuminated or made of glow-in-the-dark materials are recommended. It’s also important to consider the contrast between the text and background for better readability.

Branding and Identity Considerations

Even though hospital wayfinding signage should prioritise safety and clarity, branding elements can still fit within regulatory limits. In fact, branded signs can be considered with the right custom signage strategy. Too much decorative flourish can reduce readability and fail in accreditation.

Get Compliant Custom Signages at Artcom Fabrication

Poor placement of wayfinding signage can compromise safety and risk accreditation setbacks. That’s why strict regulations, accessibility needs, and design requirements are implemented to address these issues. Well, this is especially true for healthcare facilities, where safety is the utmost priority to consider.

That being said, hospital management works with a professional signage company like ours. We provide end-to-end signage solutions and consultation on signage systems for better compliance. For more information, check out our signage services today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about signage standards in Australia:

What are the 6 categories of safety signage used in Australia?

There are six categories of safety signage implemented in Australia. These include regulatory, hazard, emergency information, fire, danger, and prohibition signs. Each category has specific colours, shapes, and symbols to ensure quick recognition and safety. 

What is the Australian standard signage?

The key standards that regulate signage in Australia are AS 1428.1 and AS 1319. These guidelines define colours, symbols, and design to ensure accessibility and inclusivity of signage in places like hospitals.

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Medical Clinic Signs

Medical clinic signs help shape a patient’s first impression, provide structure inside the facility, and improve their overall experience. With a poorly planned signage, it causes confusion, slows down staff, and undermines trust before a patient even sees a doctor.

That’s why, planning signage involves thoughtful design, clear messaging, and strategic placement. Whether updating an existing practice or setting up a new clinic, these are the most common mistakes to avoid when installing medical signs.

Common Errors When Designing Medical Signage

A custom signage strategy helps ensure every display at your medical facility supports clarity, compliance, and ease of navigation. To have a smoother process, it’s best if you avoid these mistakes to keep your medical signage effective and patient-friendly.

Choosing the Wrong Materials

Medical clinic signs face constant wear from frequent cleaning, disinfectants, and UV exposure. In a healthcare setting, it's important to use materials that can handle daily use without fading, chipping, or staining. After all, damaged or worn signage reflects poorly on your clinic and may raise concerns about cleanliness.

So, choosing durable materials like stainless steel, acrylic, or coated surfaces helps maintain a clean, high-quality appearance over time. These options offer longevity and easy maintenance, making them a practical choice for clinics that want to present a professional and reliable image.

Poor Visibility and Placement

Signs that sit too high, blend into walls, or hide behind furniture won’t serve their purpose. These issues often lead to patients asking staff for directions, interrupting workflow and adding unnecessary delays.

That's why placement should follow sightliness that patients naturally use. Large, clear fonts and strong colour contrast also make medical signage easier to read. In darker spaces like hallways or entrances, illuminated signs improve visibility and enhance the environment.

Ignoring Wayfinding Principles

A well-planned hospital signage system helps patients feel more at ease, especially in healthcare environments where stress and uncertainty are common. In fact, a study from Scholarly Community Encyclopedia found that combining visual cues, digital tools,  and spatial planning improved patient and visitor navigation in hospitals. So, clinics that use consistent wayfinding elements reduce confusion, ease foot traffic, and support a smoother experience.

Failing to Meet Compliance Standards

In Australia, medical clinic signs need to follow specific regulations covering braille, tactile elements, standard icons, and emergency evacuation maps. These guidelines, including AS 1428.1, are designed to make healthcare spaces more accessible and easier to navigate for everyone.

When signage doesn't meet these standards, clinics risk safety issues, legal complications, and costly changes later. That’s why, planning compliant signage helps avoid setbacks and supports a more inclusive, patient-friendly environment.

Overlooking Branding and Design Consistency

Signage that appears generic or inconsistent can undermine your clinic’s image. Patients notice inconsistent fonts, colours, layouts, and materials, which can affect how they view the quality of care you provide.

Every sign, from the entrance to the waiting area and even restrooms, influences how people experience your space. So, clear, consistent, and well-designed signage reinforces a sense of professionalism and leaves a strong, positive impression.

That’s why, partnering with an experienced signage company ensures your clinic's signs reflect your brand identity and create a more cohesive environment. When signage feels deliberate and thoughtfully executed, it helps build patient trust and confidence.

Take the Stress Out of Medical Signage

Mistakes in planning or installing medical clinic signs often lead to confusion, maintenance issues, or non-compliance. With a good signage, it supports patients, respects staff time, and reflects the care you provide.

At Artcom Fabrication, we work with healthcare providers across Australia using our design and install compliant, professional signage systems. We handle everything from material selection to design, so your medical signage performs its role clearly and confidently. For more information, get in touch with us today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check out the answers to the common questions about medical signage installation for clinics.

What is a signage company?

A signage company designs and manufactures signs for businesses and organisations. It helps create clear, professional displays that support branding, navigation, and compliance.

Are there colour guidelines for medical signage?

While there's no fixed palette, colours should support readability and align with your clinic’s branding. It’s best to use high-contrast combinations (e.g. dark text on a light background) and avoid red-green combinations, which may be hard to read for patients with colour blindness.

How can I make sure my signage is dementia-friendly?

Dementia-friendly signage uses clear icons, large fonts, strong contrast, and familiar language. It avoids abstract symbols or technical terms. To reduce confusion, signs should be placed at eye level and in predictable locations.

Why Every Medical Facility Needs a Custom Signage Strategy

Signage in medical facilities serves a greater purpose than simply pointing people in the right direction. It reflects your organisation’s values, helps visitors feel more at ease, and communicates a sense of order and professionalism. With a well-designed signage, it supports patients and staff by reducing confusion, speeding up movement, and creating a calm, welcoming environment.

In Australia’s healthcare settings, tailored medical signage improves safety, supports your brand, and helps every visitor feel guided and reassured from the moment they arrive.

How Signage Visually Communicates Your Identity

Visitors physically interact with medical clinic signs when they enter your doors, follow corridors, and wait in reception. So, the material you select, the colours you use, and the positioning of each sign reflect the quality of your services.

In a healthcare setting, consistent and well-designed signage demonstrates care and attention even before your staff greet patients. It sets the tone for a reassuring experience and builds trust with every glance.

Why a Custom Signage Strategy Matters for Every Medical Facility

Medical facilities rarely remain static. Departments shift locations, regulatory standards change, and visitor flow evolves. In Australia, hospitals have begun applying integrated wayfinding systems to improve visitor guidance through visual cues, digital aids, and clear layouts.

Unclear signage also causes issues. An Evaluation of the Usage Requirements of Hospital Signage mentioned that 74.2% of hospital users find it difficult to navigate through hospital settings.

With a custom medical signage strategy, it lets you map visitor journeys. This way, you can position signs exactly where needed, like parking lots, building entrances, waiting rooms, and specialist clinics. As a result, you create cohesion with your brand identity and meet rigorous compliance standards while improving wayfinding.

Types of Signage Every Medical Facility Needs

Every sign for a hospital serves a clear purpose, like guiding patients, sharing important information, or ensuring safety. That said, medical facilities rely on various signage types to support daily operations and create a better medical experience, such as:

• Wayfinding & Directional Signage - Guide visitors efficiently through corridors, floors, and departments.

• Statutory & Safety Signage - Meet mandatory regulations and identify hazards or evacuation routes.

• Brand Signage - Present logos and graphic identity in public areas to enhance professionalism.

• Illuminated Signage - Ensure visibility at all hours and deliver dynamic content like wait times or health advice.

Why Work with a Professional Signage Company

A professional signage company develops effective signage systems tailored to your medical facility's needs. They can design clear wayfinding and directional signage based on your building’s layout and visitor flow, helping patients navigate with confidence. 

They can also ensure all safety signage complies with regulations and is visible in high-stress situations. For brand consistency, they craft brand signage that aligns with your facility’s identity. When visibility matters, they create illuminated signage that performs well day and night.

By managing everything from design and material selection, a reliable signage company helps you avoid delays and costly mistakes. In fact, a study mentioned by ProgramMed revealed that hospital staff spent over $2 million annually directing and escorting visitors across their facilities. This demonstrates how investing in tailored signage improves navigation, delivers significant operational savings, and lets your team focus on providing patient care.

Get Custom Signage From Artcom Fabrication

Clear and well-planned medical signage supports navigation, enhances safety, reinforces your brand identity, and helps maintain accessibility standards compliance. It also improves the overall patient, visitor, and staff experience by reducing confusion and promoting confidence.

With a professional signage company, like Artcom Fabrication, it ensures your strategy includes directional, illuminated, safety, and branded signage that aligns with your facility's needs. To learn more about our high-quality signage, get in touch with us today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are quick answers to common questions about medical signage and how it supports safety, navigation, and compliance in healthcare facilities:

What is a signage company?

A signage company designs, produces, and installs signs for businesses and public spaces. They help ensure signage is functional, compliant, and visually aligned with your brand.

Where should medical signage be placed?

To help people find their way easily, place signs at key decision points such as entrances, hallways, waiting areas, elevators, and exits. Signs should also be visible from a distance and positioned at eye level for maximum readability.