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Parliament Drive, Canberra
02 6277 5399
visitorservices@aph.gov.au

Free admission

Entry is free. You may have to buy tickets for special exhibitions and events.

Opening hours

9 am to 5 pm (non-sitting days)
9 am to 6 pm (sitting days) 

Closed Christmas day

Getting to Parliament House

Parking

You can park in the Forecourt Basement car park most days. View parking fees

Accessible spaces are near the lifts.

There are 10 electric vehicle charging stations in the Forecourt Basement car park. Terms and conditions apply.

Taxi or ride share

There are separate taxi ranks and ride share bays in the Forecourt Basement car park. 

Bus

Bus stops are on Federation Mall, about 200 metres from our public entrance. For your local bus timetable, visit Transport Canberra.

Bike

Bike racks are in the Forecourt Basement car park. Bikes cannot be brought into Parliament House.

Visitor map

Please download a copy of the Australian Parliament House visitor map to support your visit. 

Visitor facilities at Parliament House

Food and refreshments

Queen’s Terrace Café on Level 1 is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily except Christmas Day.

Shopping and souvenirs

Parliament Shop offers a range of quality products that celebrate democracy, the institution of parliament and the architecture of Parliament House. It also has an extensive collection of political books and elegant giftware.

Open every day except Christmas Day
9 am–5 pm (non-sitting days)
9 am–5:45 pm (sitting days) 

EFTPOS

EFTPOS is available at all retail outlets.

Parents and babies

Parents Room and baby change facilities are located on Level 1 next to Queen’s Terrace Café.

Free WiFi

Simply connect to ‘WiFiParliament’ on your device.

Australia Post

The Parliament House Post Office is conveniently located near the Queen's Terrace Café. Buy a Parliament House postcard and mail it from the building!

First aid

If you need First aid, ask a Parliamentary Security Service Officer or Visitor Services Officer at key locations around the building.

Accessibility at Parliament House

Indoor surfaces

All public areas are accessible by wheelchair. Be aware, there are a variety of floor coverings including polished stone, timber, and high-pile carpets.

Parking

Accessible parking is in the Forecourt Basement car park near the lifts.

If parking in an accessible parking spot, please use the intercom to contact security on exit. Quote your disability parking permit number and no cost will be applied.

Bus stops

The public entrance is about 200 metres away from each of the bus stops and much of the Forecourt is covered in gravel.

Wheelchairs and strollers

You can borrow a wheelchair or stroller for free from the Information Desk in the Marble Foyer

Accessible adult change facility

A toilet and change facility that caters for users with high support needs and their carers is located on Level 1, adjacent to the Post Office.

Hearing loops

When Parliament is sitting, hearing loops can be found in the:

  • viewing galleries in the chambers and Great Hall
  • Main Committee Room and committee rooms 1R3, 2R2 and 2S2
  • Theatre.

Assistance animals

Assistance animals accompanied by their handler are welcome in the public areas.

Tours

You can take a tour about our art, architecture and Indigenous experiences of Australian democracy. You can leave a tour at any time and our Visitor Services Officers can show you to the nearest rest stops and accessible amenities.

Sensory support

As a working Parliament, Australian Parliament House can be a busy and noisy place to visit. Public areas may contain:

  • division bells which sound to call Members and Senators to the Chambers
  • audio visual displays
  • large groups of people and background noise.

To support sensory needs visitors may like to bring noise-cancelling headphones and other support items. If you need any assistance to locate quiet spaces during your visit, please contact Visitor Services staff at the Information Desk.

If you have accessibility needs not covered here, or would like more information about accessibility at Parliament House, contact us so we can help make your visit easy and enjoyable.

Conditions of entry

Visitors must go through security screening and inspection of personal possessions.

Prohibited or offensive implements, drugs, or other substances are not permitted and must be surrendered to the Parliamentary Security Service Officer.

Visitors must comply with any reasonable directions given by a Parliamentary Security Service Officer or member of the Australian Federal Police.

Facial identification may be required upon request by a Parliamentary Security Service Officer or member of the Australian Federal Police before entry.

Demonstrations or protests are not permitted within the parliamentary precinct. The Australian Parliament has a Demonstration Policy with which all visitors must comply.

Visitors to private areas must be accompanied and must present appropriate photo identification.

Security screening

Security screening ensures a safe environment for both visitors and parliamentary staff. The time that this takes varies with the number of people waiting to come in, but please allow at least 15 minutes when planning your visit. If you require any assistance with the security screening process, please ask a Parliament House Security officer.

Please note that bicycles may not be brought through security screening and into Parliament House. Bike racks are available in the Forecourt Basement car park.

If you have any specific accessibility needs or concerns with security screening, please email or call us on 02 6277 5399 ahead of time so we can best accommodate your visit. 

No smoking

Smoking is not permitted in Parliament House.

Photos and video

You are welcome to take photos or video in the public areas of Parliament House, provided they are for private use and not for publication.

However, please note that no photography or filming of security arrangements or chamber proceedings is allowed. Please follow any direction provided by our friendly security staff.

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