Standard Pedestrian Gate Sizes in Australia

TL;DR

Standard residential widths: 900, 1000, 1100 mm.
Standard residential heights: 1200 to 2100 mm by use case.
Pool barrier (AS1926.1): 1200 mm minimum height, 100 mm maximum gap, self-closing and self-latching.
Disability access (AS1428.1): 850 mm minimum clear opening.
Commercial: 1200 to 1500 mm for trolley and wheelbarrow access.
Closing gap: a 1000 mm gate doesn’t fit a 1000 mm opening. Allow 30 to 50 mm.
Ground clearance: 50 to 100 mm below the bottom rail.

Standard pedestrian-gate widths

‘Width’ on a fabrication drawing refers to the gate leaf, measured between the outside faces of the two stiles. The ‘opening width’ you measure on site is the clear gap between the two posts. The gate leaf is typically 30 to 50 mm narrower to allow hinge clearance and a closing gap.

Use case	Gate-leaf width	Common gate weight	Notes
Single-person residential	900 mm	25 to 35 kg	Tightest practical width. Feels narrow with a backpack.
Standard residential	1000 mm	30 to 45 kg	Most common spec for new homes.
Wheelbarrow / two-person	1100 mm	35 to 50 kg	Practical minimum for two people side-by-side.
Disability access (AS1428.1)	≥950 mm leaf (≥850 mm clear)	35 to 50 kg	Round up to 1000 mm to keep margin.
Commercial / industrial	1200 to 1500 mm	45 to 80 kg	Trolleys, escape route capacity, plant-room access.

Common gate weight is the steel frame plus aluminium battens or slats, before adding hardware. Slatted infills (solid panels) push up to the high end. Battened infills sit at the low end. Use these numbers when sizing hinges and posts.

Standard pedestrian-gate heights

Height is measured from finished ground level to the top of the gate. If the ground is sloped, ‘ground level’ is taken at the lowest side, keeping the gate compliant at its weakest point.

Height	Use	Hinge count per leaf	Notes
1200 mm	Pool minimum (AS1926.1)	2 weld-on, with self-closing	Plus 100 mm max gap, self-closing/self-latching, latch ≥1500 mm above ground.
1500 mm	Garden / pet	2 butt or weld-on	Discourages dog jump-overs. Not a security gate.
1800 mm	General residential	2 weld-on	Most common. Matches typical 1.8 m fence height.
2100 mm	Security	3 weld-on	Discourages climbing. Common at industrial yards and rear-access lanes.

Pool gate compliance (AS1926.1)

Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012 sets the prescriptive requirements for a private-pool barrier. Any pedestrian gate forming part of a pool barrier must meet all of the following.

Minimum height: 1200 mm measured from any non-climbable surface.
Maximum gap between vertical members: 100 mm (a 100 mm sphere shall not pass).
Maximum gap below the gate: 100 mm.
Non-climbable zone of 900 mm radius on the outside, with no horizontal members or footholds inside that zone.
Self-closing and self-latching from any open position back to fully latched, with no manual help.
Latch ≥1500 mm above ground (or ≥1400 mm above any climbable feature within the non-climbable zone).
Gate swings away from the pool.

Latch height geometry

The latch-height rule has two readings, and miss-applying it is the most common reason for failed pool inspections.

First reading: 1500 mm above the ground means 1500 mm above the ground’s lowest point inside the 900 mm non-climbable zone. If the gate is on a step, the ‘ground’ for latch-height purposes is the bottom of the step, not the top.

Second reading: 1400 mm above any climbable feature. If a balustrade rail, a planter ledge, or any horizontal member sits within the 900 mm non-climbable zone, the latch needs to be 1400 mm above that feature, not just 1500 mm above the ground. A nearby pot plant on a low wall can disqualify a gate that looks compliant at first glance.

Worked example: a 1000x1200 mm pool gate

A standard residential pool gate. 1000 mm wide leaf in a 1030 mm clear opening (30 mm closing gap). 1200 mm tall (the absolute AS1926.1 minimum). Battened infill with 95 mm clear gaps between battens (5 mm safety margin against the 100 mm rule). Two D&D TruClose self-closing hinges with adjustable spring tension, set to give a 3-second close from fully open. A Magna Latch Series 3 mounted at 1500 mm above ground (1380 mm above the top rail of the gate, which is 1200 mm above ground). Galvanised mild-steel frame in 50x25 RHS, powder-coated Dulux Surfmist. Stainless 316 hardware if within 1 km of surf.

Latch and hinge selection per height

Different heights and use cases call for different hardware. Here’s the standard pairing for each.

1200 mm pool gate

Magna Latch Series 3 (or top-pull variant) plus two D&D TruClose self-closing hinges. The magnetic latch reliably engages even at low closing speeds. The TruClose hinges are tension-adjustable to suit the leaf weight (rated 30 to 70 kg per pair depending on model). Both are mandatory under AS1926.1.

1500 mm garden gate

Two butt hinges or weld-on hinges, 12 to 16 mm pin diameter. A simple drop latch or a Locinox lever-handle latch. No self-closing or self-latching needed unless it doubles as a pool gate. The lighter weight (most garden gates run 25 to 40 kg) means hardware can be sized down.

1800 mm residential gate (the standard)

Two weld-on hinges, 16 to 20 mm pin. Locinox lever-handle latch (such as the H-Metal range) with an optional welded lockbox for a key-lock cylinder. A drop bolt at the leading edge isn’t mandatory at this height but adds longevity by taking weight off the hinges over time.

2100 mm security gate

Three weld-on hinges, 20 mm pin. Lockbox-housed mortise lock with a key cylinder, often paired with a drop bolt at the leading edge to lock down when shut. Anti-lift fittings on the top hinge to stop the gate being lifted off the pin. Tall security gates also benefit from a closer (hydraulic or spring) so the gate self-closes after a delivery driver leaves it ajar.

Frame profile recommendations

Match the gate width and height to the right RHS or SHS profile. The bigger and taller the gate, the heavier the frame.

Width x height	Stile / rail	Post
900 x 1200 to 900 x 1500 mm	40x40x1.6 SHS or 50x25x1.6 RHS	50x50x2.0 SHS
1000 x 1800 mm (the standard)	50x25x2.0 RHS	75x75x2.5 SHS
1100 x 1800 mm	50x25x2.0 RHS	75x75x2.5 SHS
1000 x 2100 mm	65x35x2.0 RHS	100x100x4.0 SHS
1500 x 2100 mm (commercial)	65x35x2.5 RHS	100x100x4.0 SHS

For deeper section sizing and the why behind these picks, see RHS vs SHS for steel gate frames.

Threshold and ground clearance

Standard ground clearance under a swing gate is 50 to 100 mm. Below 50 mm and the bottom rail catches debris, leaves, and minor frost heave. Above 100 mm and a child or small pet can crawl under, plus the under-gate gap looks unfinished from the street.

For pool gates, the gap below the gate is part of the AS1926.1 100 mm rule. Anywhere underneath the gate where a 100 mm sphere can pass disqualifies the barrier. Most pool gates land at 70 to 95 mm clearance to balance the ‘no climb-under’ rule with the ‘no foul on the ground’ rule.

On raked ground, the clearance varies along the gate’s travel for a sliding gate or along the swing arc for a swing gate. See the raked sliding gate guide for the measurement procedure on sliding gates over rake.

Closing-gap design

A 1000 mm gate doesn’t fit a 1000 mm clear opening. Several gaps eat the difference.

Hinge offset: 10 to 30 mm between the hinge stile and the post face, depending on hinge type.
Latch gap: 10 to 20 mm between the latch stile and the post face, so the latch tongue has room to engage.
Build tolerance: another 5 to 10 mm slack for fabrication and install.

Total: 25 to 60 mm. For a tight, professional install in a 1000 mm opening, build a 970 mm leaf (30 mm total closing gap). For an easier install with more tolerance, build a 950 mm leaf (50 mm closing gap).

Don’t cut into the gate width to chase the closing gap. If you need 850 mm clear opening (AS1428.1) and a 1000 mm gate gives you 950 to 970 mm clear, that’s above the standard. If a 950 mm gate gives you 870 to 890 mm clear, that’s also above the standard but with less margin against build tolerance.

How to measure for a pedestrian gate

Measure the clear opening at three heights. Posts can be out of plumb. Measure inside-face-to-inside-face at 100 mm, 1000 mm, and at the top of the gate. Use the smallest of the three values.
Measure ground level on both sides. If the ground rakes, record left and right ground levels separately. The gate-bottom rail will need to follow the rake or the gate will need extra clearance to swing.
Note hinge side and swing direction. Stand outside the gate facing in. Record which post the hinge mounts to and which way the gate swings. Pool gates must swing away from the pool.
Sight check the post plumb.A post that’s out of plumb pulls the gate’s leading edge out of plumb over time. If the post is bent (older installs commonly are), plan to replace it before hanging the new gate.

CAD60’s pedestrian-gate models accept all four site dimensions (clear opening width, left ground level, right ground level, plumb) and recompute the entire gate from your numbers in about 60 seconds.

Worked example: a 1000 x 1800 mm pedestrian gate

The single most common pedestrian gate in suburban Australia. Here’s the complete spec from frame to finish.

Clear opening	1000 mm
Gate leaf width	970 mm (30 mm total closing gap)
Gate height	1800 mm
Frame	50x25x2.0 RHS, mitre-jointed at corners
Cross-rails	2 x mid rails to give battens a fixing target
Infill	12 x 65x16 aluminium battens at 12 mm gap
Hinge stile	Same 50x25 RHS plus 6 mm internal gusset behind each hinge mount
Hinges	2 x weld-on hinges, 20 mm pin, top hinge with anti-lift collar
Latch	Locinox lever-handle latch in welded lockbox
Hinge post	75x75x2.5 SHS, 600 mm deep in 300 mm dia. concrete
Latch post	75x75x2.5 SHS, same footing
Ground clearance	75 mm under bottom rail
Finish	Hot-dip galvanise + Dulux Monument powder coat
Estimated weight	35 kg leaf, 18 kg per post

This spec is the canonical ‘standard residential pedestrian gate’ for Australian suburbs. CAD60’s battened-pedestrian-gate model takes the four site dimensions plus your style choices and produces this drawing in about 60 seconds.

Common sizing mistakes

Forgetting the closing gap.A 1000 mm gate doesn’t fit a 1000 mm opening. Allow 30 to 50 mm.
Ignoring the rake. A gate built square to a raked ground will scrape on the high side or leave a wedge gap on the low side. Record left and right ground heights separately.
Latch height under 1500 mm on a pool gate. A common cause of failed pool inspections. Mount the latch to the AS1926.1 minimum, not to a comfortable adult height.
Frame stile width eating disability clearance. A 950 mm wheelchair-friendly gate with 50 mm stiles delivers 850 mm clear, exactly the AS1428.1 minimum. Spec a 1000 mm gate for margin.
Misreading the latch-height geometry on a stepped gate.The 1500 mm is measured from the lowest non-climbable surface. If the gate is on a step, the ‘ground’ is the bottom of the step.
Missing a climbable feature inside the non-climbable zone. A pot plant on a low wall counts as a climbable feature. The latch needs to be 1400 mm above it, not just 1500 mm above the actual ground.
Choosing an infill style without checking gap rules. Battened gates with 100 mm spacing fail AS1926.1 by 5 mm. Slatted gates without solid backing fail wherever a slat is missed. Always check the gap rule against the chosen profile and pitch.
Over-spec’ing the post for the wall. A 100x100 SHS chemical-anchored to a single-leaf brick wall pulls out under load. The wall has to take the gate, not the post. If the wall is weak, use a concreted post next to the wall instead.

Generate a sized drawing in 60 seconds

Pick a pedestrian-gate model below, enter your site dimensions, and download an A4 fabrication drawing pack with orthographic views, dimension lines, a title block, and a cutting list. Already sized for AS1926.1 or AS1428.1 if you need it.

/models/battened-pedestrian-gate /models/slatted-pedestrian-gate /models/louvred-pedestrian-gate /models/diy-pedestrian-gate /models/pool-fence-panel

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Frequently asked questions

What is the standard width of a pedestrian gate in Australia?

The most common widths are 900 mm, 1000 mm, and 1100 mm. 900 mm suits a single person; 1000 mm comfortably allows a person with a small bag or tool; 1100 mm is the practical minimum for two people passing or a wheelbarrow. Wider commercial gates run 1200 to 1500 mm.

What is the minimum height for a residential pedestrian gate?

There is no national minimum for general access. 1200 mm is the practical lowest for security. Pool barriers under AS1926.1 require at least 1200 mm height. Security gates are commonly 2100 mm tall to discourage climbing.

What size pedestrian gate complies with AS1428.1 disability access?

AS1428.1 requires a clear opening of at least 850 mm. Frame stiles eat 50 to 80 mm of the gate width, so a gate with frame stiles around 40 mm wide should be at least 950 mm wide overall. Round up to a 1000 mm gate to keep margin.

How tall is a pool fence gate in Australia?

Pool gates must be at least 1200 mm tall measured from any non-climbable surface, per AS1926.1-2012. The latch must be at least 1500 mm above the ground and 1400 mm above any climbable feature within the non-climbable zone.

What is the maximum gap between battens on a pool gate?

AS1926.1 requires that no opening in the barrier allow a 100 mm sphere to pass through. In practice that means batten spacings of 95 mm or less to give a small safety margin against build tolerance.

How wide should a commercial pedestrian gate be?

Commercial sites typically use 1200 mm or 1500 mm pedestrian gates. 1500 mm suits trolley access, two-person passage, or escape-route capacity. Industrial sites needing forklift or material handling use a separate 2400 mm-plus gate.

Can I have a pedestrian gate in a driveway gate?

Yes. A common pattern is to incorporate a 900 to 1100 mm pedestrian leaf as part of a wider driveway gate, with separate hinges. CAD60's pedestrian-gate-with-side-panels models follow this pattern. A separate adjacent pedestrian gate is more reliable, but a wicket inside a driveway gate is more compact.

How deep should a post be for a pedestrian gate?

For a 100x100 SHS post supporting a 1000 mm x 2000 mm pedestrian gate in concreted footing, 600 mm depth in 300 mm diameter concrete is the common spec. Tall (2100 mm) or heavy slatted gates step up to 750 to 900 mm depth in 400 mm diameter footings.

What hinge type suits a 1.8 m residential pedestrian gate?

Two weld-on hinges, 16 to 20 mm pin diameter, work for any standard 1.0 m wide x 1.8 m tall battened or slatted gate up to about 50 kg. Above 50 kg or for slatted gates with vertical slats, step up to three weld-on hinges and a 20 mm pin. Add a drop bolt at the leading edge for any gate over 80 kg to take load off the hinges.

What's the standard ground clearance under a pedestrian gate?

50 to 100 mm clearance between the bottom rail and the ground. Tighter than 50 mm and the gate fouls debris and minor frost heave. Wider than 100 mm and a child or small pet can crawl underneath. Pool gates need clearance of 100 mm or less to satisfy AS1926.1.