<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001144215-08-000019
<TYPE>3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20080327
<FILING-DATE>20080328
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20080328
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>ACUITY BRANDS INC
<CIK>0001144215
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5160
<IRS-NUMBER>582632672
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0831
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1170 PEACHTREE STREET, NE
<STREET2>SUITE 2400
<CITY>ATLANTA
<STATE>GA
<ZIP>30309-7676
<PHONE>404-853-1400
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1170 PEACHTREE STREET, NE
<STREET2>SUITE 2400
<CITY>ATLANTA
<STATE>GA
<ZIP>30309-7676
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>L&C SPINCO INC
<DATE-CHANGED>20010629
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>Guynn George C
<CIK>0001381856
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>3
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-16583
<FILM-NUMBER>08719135
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<PHONE>7709531700
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2999 CIRCLE 75 PKWY
<CITY>ATLANTA
<STATE>GA
<ZIP>30339
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001144215</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACUITY BRANDS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AYI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001381856</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Guynn George C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ACUITY BRANDS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1170 PEACHTREE STREET, NESUITE 2400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30309</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jack Guynn</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-03-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
