Public bathrooms failing Australians with hidden health needs, new research shows
Australians are increasingly concerned about the hygiene and accessibility of shared public facilities, with new research revealing that anxiety is highest among people living with hidden barriers, specific health needs or different personal circumstances.
Research commissioned by professional hygiene brand Tork shows nearly one in three Australians (32%) are very concerned about the cleanliness of public amenities. That concern rises significantly for those with extra needs, reaching 40% among people with skin sensitivities and more than half of people with sensory sensitivities, impaired vision, wheelchair users, pregnant individuals, or those who rely on ostomy bags.1
According to Jody Scaife, Commercial Director, Professional Hygiene Australasia at Tork, everyone should be able to use a public facility without stress.
“These spaces are among the busiest shared spaces in our communities, yet they’re often not designed with everyone in mind. When hygiene, product choice or layout falls short, people are excluded, and this often goes unnoticed,” she says.
More than half of Australians (54%) report living with a physical or cognitive condition that can make using public washrooms hard. This includes 21% who have skin sensitivities that may react to standard soaps and 6% who live with incontinence or use ostomy bags or catheters.
“For many people, these challenges have a tangible impact on everyday life. Loud hand dryers can trigger sensory overload, while others experience anxiety around cleanliness or reactions to harsh products. These are real experiences that make public facilities stressful or lead people to avoid them altogether,” Jody says.
Around half of Australians take some form of action after a poor experience. While 22% have lodged complaints about cleanliness or hygiene, 17% have chosen not to return to a venue.
“Negative washroom experiences don’t just affect individuals; they can directly influence business outcomes. People may not raise the issue, but they will vote with their feet if they feel uncomfortable or unsupported.”
She adds that simple improvements, from quieter drying options and touchless taps to skin-friendly soaps and clearer, more layouts with inclusive hygiene in mind can remove many of the barriers people face.
Tork is shining a light on the often-invisible obstacles that make shared facilities difficult to navigate, showing how thoughtful design can support access to hygiene, wellbeing and ensure everyone can use these spaces with dignity.
“No one should feel stressed or excluded when using a public facility. Improving how these spaces function can make a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives,” Jody says.
1. Tork Insight Survey 2025, conducted in US, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands and Poland among 11,500 end-users and 1,000 cleaners - https://www.torkglobal.com/au/en/about/inclusive-hygiene