Kids & Families FAQs

We welcome people of all ages to experience Arts Centre Melbourne’s offerings. Our ‘Babes in Arms’ policy for the majority of events means children under two years of age may be admitted without a ticket if they remain seated on the lap of a parent or guardian.

For performances aimed specifically at children two and under, a ticket may be required – check the event information for more details, or if in doubt, please call our team on 1300 182 183.

Arts Centre Melbourne is a place for everyone in the community, so when bringing children please consider the interests and enjoyment of everyone attending. Any person (regardless of age) interrupting the enjoyment of others may be asked to leave an event and/or venue.

As per our conditions of entry, children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The Trust welcomes people of all ages to experience Arts Centre Melbourne. For the majority of events, children under the age of 2 years may be admitted at no cost and without a ticket, on the lap of a parent or guardian.

Please be mindful & considerate of the surrounding audience. Any guests interrupting the enjoyment of other visitors may be asked to leave an event and/or the venue.

Arts Centre Melbourne & its Hirers may choose to program an event specifically for very young children. In this case, it is required for the child to hold a ticket.

If you are in any doubt as to whether this applies to your chosen event, please check the event page on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website, or call our Contact Centre on 1300 182 183.

No, as per Arts Centre Melbourne's Child Safety policy and our Conditions of Entry, all children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when attending a performance.

We cannot provide active supervision of a child during a performance or interval, so a parent or guardian must be able to supervise the child at all times.

See the What’s On section for more information and sign up to our eNews to be the first to know about the latest Families and Youth events and special offers. Subscribe to eNews.

Arts Centre Melbourne’s Kids and Families program is designed to be a shared experience between children and their families, so, unless otherwise stated, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Age recommendations for workshops are listed on event pages to help children and families get the most out of their experience, so always refer to these as a guide to suitability.

Not being able to see something that everyone else can isn’t much fun, so we have booster seats available for children in the Playhouse, Fairfax Studio, State Theatre and Hamer Hall. So, just ask our friendly staff and they’ll be able to provide you with one, so long as this doesn’t obstruct the view of the person sitting behind.

Arts Centre Melbourne provides age recommendations for all family performances to help you and your children get the most out of your visit. While we work closely with the creators of the performances to determine a suitable age recommendation, it's still ultimately up to you as the parent to make the final decision around suitability.

All accessible bathrooms at Arts Centre Melbourne have baby change facilities. If you need directions, please speak to one of our team members.

Theatres Building (under the spire) changing facilities locations
Level 3 (two levels below street) opposite the lifts
Level 5 (one level below street) next to Allegro
Level 6 (street level) near rear of the Australian Music Vault and The Barre
Level 8 (2 levels above street) next to The Pavilion

Hamer Hall changing facilities locations
Level 2 (three levels below street) – Accessible toilet near Door 2
Level 3 (two levels below street) – Accessible toilet near opposite the Truscott Lounge
Level 5 (one level below street) – Female toilets near Door 5
Level 6 (street level) – Accessible toilet near Door 8
Level 7 (one level above street) – Accessible toilet near Door 9

To keep you, and others, safe while you’re here, prams are not permitted inside our theatres. Speak to our staff for directions to where you can park your pram in the building while you’re inside enjoying the show.

If you're attending a ticketed daytime Family show, you automatically get the Early Bird parking rate of $17 when entering the Arts Centre Melbourne car park prior to these performances' start times and exiting by 6:30pm. This offer is valid Monday to Friday for daytime car parking only. Public Holidays are excluded.

For all other rates, phone (03) 9281 8012 or visit our Parking page.

For the most up to date COVID-19 venue and ticketing measures and protocols, please visit the COVIDSafe & Wellbeing section.