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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)

Members of the public are welcome to attend the public galleries after 6 pm while the respective chambers are in session.

Closed Christmas day

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. 

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

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Parliament House is a proud member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. The program enables people with a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent to voluntarily share their needs for assistance, understanding or a helping hand.

You can collect Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards and pins from the Marble Foyer Information Desk and Main Front Pass Desk to wear during your visit. You can also request lanyards in advance when you book your school visit or guided tour.

Our tour guides have received training to help support visitors wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

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.