FAQs

Any jobs vacancies are posted on our Employment page, so keep your eyes peeled for new opportunities and come join our team.

We have a policy around providing feedback and complaints that we recommend you read if you have some feedback to offer.

Arts Centre Melbourne receives many requests to light our iconic Spire to support countless fantastic causes. While we’d love to be able to honour all of these, we assess all requests against the below criteria to ensure that when we do agree to a request, it aligns with our brand values and our role first and foremost as a champion of the performing arts. In addition, we limit the number of campaigns per month to avoid diluting message impact. This is underpinned by the following:

• Illuminating the Spire is related to a high-awareness or high-profile community message, significant social/community campaign, major cultural event, a response to a national or global event, or significant charitable cause deemed appropriate by Arts Centre Melbourne, or that champions the development and promotion of the performing arts.
• This event, campaign or cause is consistent with Arts Centre Melbourne’s values, brand and brand values, community role and core business in the performing arts.
• As a publicly funded cultural institution, Arts Centre Melbourne is apolitical and can in no way support, or be seen to support, campaigns or causes of a political nature. Campaigns or causes aligned to gambling, tobacco or alcohol or those with commercial outcomes will not be supported.
• There is sufficient profile or awareness of the high-profile community or charitable campaign, cultural event or cause, for the Spire illumination to be connected and understood by the general public. There is appropriate acknowledgement of Arts Centre Melbourne as part of a high-profile community or charitable campaign, cultural event or cause, such as via any media (print, broadcast or social) campaigns or coverage.
• Availability of the Spire depending on other pre-existing campaigns/bookings, and ensuring that there is reasonable time between campaigns to avoid diluting campaign impact.
• Please note: Not all requests are able to be accommodated and all decisions are final.

Arts Centre Melbourne receives many requests to support countless fantastic causes. While we’d love to honour all of these, unfortunately we aren’t able to offer donations; instead, we channel our resources through subsidising access initiatives like our Schools Program and First Call Fund – a subsidy program that ensures all Victorian schools, no matter what barriers they may face, have the opportunity to experience the arts.

Arts Centre Melbourne takes credit card and personal information storage seriously and is committed to keeping customer information safe. We have dedicated mechanisms and infrastructure in place to protect your privacy and security, and work closely with credit card, security and banking authorities to ensure practices, policies and procedures meet the latest security standards. View Arts Centre Melbourne's privacy policy.

All bookings made online and over the phone require you to register contact details (name, address, phone number, email) during your purchase. This is so we can let you know of any important information about the performance you're attending and also quickly and easily assist you with any enquiries you may have about your purchase. If you're booking tickets at the Box Office and would prefer not to provide your contact details, we will not be able to provide these services to you.

Refunds are not available unless the performance is cancelled or if permitted in accordance with the LPA Code of Practice for the Ticketing of Live Entertainment Events in Australia. Exchanges are only permitted under specific circumstances. For more information on refunds and exchanges, please see our Ticketing Terms and Conditions or call our Box Office on 1300 182 183.

At present, we don’t offer print-at-home ticketing but there are several options for receiving your tickets: Regular post (up until one week prior to your performance); Express or Registered Post (extra fees apply); and Venue Collection (from our Box Office right up until show time). Please note: Tickets booked less than one week prior to your performance are only available as "Venue Collection".

Arts Centre Melbourne is committed to displaying fees and charges up front so consumers are aware of these prior to booking. A service charge of $8.95 per transaction applies to all bookings made online, by phone or by mail. This fee goes towards providing, maintaining and updating the website, and to supplement the ticketing facilities and services we provide. You may also choose to have tickets sent to you by Registered or Express Post (extra fees apply).

If your booking was made directly through Arts Centre Melbourne you can collect tickets from our main Box Office in the Theatres Building (under the Spire) Monday - Saturday, 10:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm from the far right priority queue or from the Hamer Hall Box Office Monday - Sunday, 10:00am to 5:45pm. If you’re collecting in the hour-and-a-half before the show for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, please proceed to Gate 1, unless signalled onsite to an alternative area. Please note: Any bookings not made through Arts Centre Melbourne direct (for example, through our Resident Companies or authorised ticketing agencies) can only be collected one hour prior from the venue you are attending.

When collecting tickets, you need your Order Number and the credit card used for the booking. You may also be asked for photo ID and must always bring a valid concession card for tickets purchased at concession rates. Someone else can collect your tickets (except for performances at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl) provided we have received prior authorisation from you (call 1300 182 183 to organise this) and whoever collects the tickets has order details and photo ID with them when collecting.

A concession card (or valid photo ID with date of birth clearly visible if booking "Youth" tickets) is required at the time of purchase. Photocopies of concession cards can be used provided the expiry date is visible. Please note: Concession numbers are not sufficient proof of concession status.

1. The best way to ensure you’re getting what you paid for is to purchase tickets through an authorised Ticketing Service Provider. Please refer to the event page to check the authorised Ticketing Service Providers for a particular event or contact us on 1300 182 183 for more information.
2. Avoid buying tickets through unauthorised third party websites that sell secondary (or second-hand) tickets, as there’s no guarantee the tickets will be valid for entry at the venue. Tickets purchased from unauthorised third party websites may be cancelled without notice.

More information

Tixatsix tickets are only available at the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building Box Office (under the spire on Level 5) from 6pm Melbourne local time each evening. This is the only place you can purchase tixatsix tickets, even if the show on offer is at Hamer Hall or the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

A minimum of 20 tickets are available every night*from 6pm, for $30 each, with a limit of 2 tickets per person per night. These tickets are allocated across one or more eligible performances that night, so the show could be anything from classical music to circus. Once this allocation has been sold, further tickets may not be available as part of the tixatsix offer.

*Please note: On rare nights our venues may be dark (without any performances on any of our stages), which means there won't be a tixatsix offering. So, be sure to check the What's On calendar for the most up-to-date list of upcoming events. For more information about tixatsix, please download our Terms and Conditions.

We reveal what show or shows are on offer at 5pm each night. You can find out by coming to the Box Office on Level 5 of the Theatres Building (under the spire), or by phoning our Contact Centre on 1300 182 183 (open Monday to Saturday).

Unfortunately this is a question we can’t answer as human behaviour can be unpredictable – sometimes the queue starts at 5.45pm and sometimes it starts several hours earlier. Come at a time that feels comfortable for you, but remember that once you join the queue you will need to stay in it to keep your place in line.

Unfortunately, no. We want to make sure it’s fair for everyone so we don’t allow placeholders.

Tixatsix seating locations are allocated by the Trust and cannot be chosen by the customer.

You can use your Gift Voucher to book tickets for shows sold* by Arts Centre Melbourne or to purchase items such as pre-booked valet parking, memberships, drink vouchers or season subscriptions.

The standard fees and charges must be applied to all Gift Voucher transactions.

*Please note, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl events may be an exception. Please check individual event pages on our website for more information.

Gift Vouchers can be redeemed in person at Arts Centre Melbourne Box Office, Online or via the Contact Centre on 1300 182 183.

Gift Vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Gift Vouchers should be used within 36 months from the date of purchase, which is the “expiry” date displayed on the Gift Voucher. Gift Vouchers may not be used if expired.

Any unused balance must be used by the expiry date. Any unused balance will not be refunded or credited on expiry.

If your order exceeds the amount of your Gift Voucher, you must pay for the balance with cash, cheque, debit or credit card.

Gift Vouchers should be treated as cash, and you are responsible for keeping your Gift Voucher safe. Replacements will not be issued for lost or stolen Gift Vouchers.

Yes, you can use more than one voucher for a purchase or you can use any combination of vouchers, cash, cheque or card accepted by Arts Centre Melbourne.

No, but you can purchase an additional Gift Voucher.

Arts Centre Melbourne’s Kids and Families program is designed to be a shared experience between children and their families, so 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.

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.

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.

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 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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.

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.

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.

Please ask our friendly staff to direct you to our full changing facilities.

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.

We are located at 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, just across the Yarra River from Flinders St Station. We have our own car park and there are also multiple public transport options for getting here.

If you book tickets online, you can use the “Select your own Seat” option to choose seats straight from the map – and if you click the little camera up in the top left hand corner, we will even give you a cheeky peek at what it looks like to sit from different parts of our theatres. There are also static maps available on the pages of each of our main venues.

There is no official dress code for Arts Centre Melbourne, although shoes and shirts must be worn at all times (if you're taking a Back-stage Tour, you must wear closed-toed shoes). If in doubt, smart casual is always a good choice.

We want you, and those around you, to be comfortable. If you'd like to dress up for the occasion, that's wonderful, but if you prefer comfort to couture, then that's fine too.

We do have some standard conditions, regarding your belongings and conduct, for anyone visiting our buildings. You can view our Conditions of Entry for more information. By entering any of the Arts Centre Melbourne buildings, you are agreeing to these conditions.

Arts Centre Melbourne is made up of two primary buildings – the 'Theatres' Building (the building with the big spire) and Hamer Hall. Both buildings, as well as the lawn in between, the forecourt in front of the Theatres Building and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl are part of Arts Centre Melbourne.

The Theatres building contains the State Theatre, the Playhouse and the Fairfax Studio, as well as the Australian Music Vault, Café Vic, the Barre and the Pavilion.

Hamer Hall (formally known as the Melbourne Concert Hall) sits just across the lawn from the Theatres building, at the base of Princes Bridge across the Yarra River from Flinders St Station. Bombini Buzz is located at river level in the base of Hamer Hall.

The National Gallery of Victoria NGV) is not part of Arts Centre Melbourne, although it is our nearest Arts neighbour.

With the potential for up to 5000 people in our theatres, when all venues are operating and have full audiences, it's important to allow plenty of time before the scheduled start of a performance. Having time up your sleeve means you can find parking, collect your tickets, drop your larger items at our free cloakroom, make your way to the venue, buy a program, order your interval drinks and find your seat.

To avoid disrupting both the audience and the performers, most performances have a lockout period restricting latecomer entry until a suitable break in the performance. This means that if you arrive late, you may not get into the show until interval, or, in some cases, at all.

Where latecomer entry is possible, It is usual to seat latecomers in seats at the back of a seating area or in a different level, rather than their ticketed position, to avoid further disruption. Once interval comes, you can move to your originally assigned seat.

For more information about our Latecomer policy, please refer to our Conditions of Entry.

Whether it’s great coffee and a snack, a full dinner before your show, or a nightcap straight after, Arts Centre Melbourne has a wide range of food and beverage options for you to choose from.

These options include Protagonist, The Barre, Café Vic, Mezz Bar and Allegro. Foyer Bars in all our theatres are also open one hour prior to performances.

Arts Centre Melbourne Membership perks include discounts to all these outlets.

If you're looking for a function space, Arts Centre Melbourne offers a variety of rooms perfect for almost any event - our Conferences and Events page has more information and contact details.

We present programs and performances that are Relaxed, Auslan Interpreted, Audio Described, Open Captioned, Tactile Tours, Highly Visual and Wheelchair accessible. An Assistive Hearing system is available in our venues and Companion Card holders are eligible for a complimentary companion ticket.

Arts Centre Melbourne event webpages and brochure listings are tagged with access icons so you can identify accessible events at a glance. See the list of services provided and the corresponding icons.

Arts Centre Melbourne event pages are tagged with access icons so you can identify accessible events at a glance. The tags are located at the bottom of the page and often include a description.

If you have any questions about the event’s accessibility please call our contact centre on 1300 182 183.

All Arts Centre Melbourne venues contain accessible seating for those with access requirements and their companions. This seating can be booked, subject to availability, at Arts Centre Melbourne's Box Office or via our call centre on 1300 182 183. Some events now also offer online booking for accessible seating.

If you have difficulty with stairs please discuss your potential seating location with our staff prior to booking. Many doors into the venues, and positions within the venues themselves, cannot be reached without encountering stairs, and some locations involve several full flights of stairs. Please contact us on 1300 182 183, Monday to Saturday from 9am until 8pm, to discuss your requirements and what is available.

If you're unsure about what is available, or cannot find what you need, please call our contact centre on 1300 182 183 so that we can assist you.

Wheelchair seats/spaces are available at all events, including many events at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, subject to availability. These seats/spaces can be booked online or by contacting our call centre on 1300 182 183.

Complementary wheelchairs can also be booked to assist with travel throughout the Theatres building and Hamer Hall. These wheelchairs cannot be taken offsite. Please call our contact centre on 1300 182 183 for assistance with reserving a wheelchair for your visit.

Both levels of the Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park are fully wheelchair accessible, and have accessible parking bays.

If you have difficulty with stairs please discuss your potential seating location with our staff prior to booking. Many doors into the venues, and positions within the venues themselves, cannot be reached without encountering stairs, and some locations involve several full flights of stairs. Please contact us on 1300 182 183, Monday to Saturday from 9am until 8pm, to discuss your requirements and what is available.

Companion Card holders are eligible to reserve a complimentary ticket to Arts Centre Melbourne programs and performances, for use by their companion. This companion must be able to assist the Companion Card holder with their access requirements.

Our theatres are accessible via lifts in both the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall, and during show times we have an usher available to assist anyone with access needs to their door. Both buildings also have multiple accessible toilet facilities. Assistance animals are welcome in all our theatres.

Assisted-listening devices for use in all seats of Arts Centre Melbourne venues (plus on Guided Tours and for meetings) are available free of charge. These devices use standard headphones or connect with hearing aids via a neck loop. Please speak to our staff when you arrive for assistance with obtaining these devices.

Wheelchairs can be booked for use in our buildings through the Welcome Desk on (03) 9281 8298.

Assistance animals are permitted into all areas of Arts Centre Melbourne. Water bowls are available on request.

The Theatres Building (the building with the big spire) has accessible toilets on Level 3, 5 and 6 (street level).

Hamer Hall has accessible toilets on all publicly-accessible levels, and changing facilities on Levels 2, 3, 5, 6 (street level) and 7.

Please ask venue staff for assistance in locating the closest accessible toilet to your location.

There is a Changing Place located in Hamer Hall on Level 3.

You can park in the Arts Centre Melbourne car park. Entry into Arts Centre Melbourne’s car park is via the corner of Sturt and Kavanagh Streets.

Both levels of the Arts Centre Melbourne car park are fully wheelchair accessible, and have clearly marked accessible parking bays available offering clear access to our theatres. Please display your valid Parking Permit for people with disability; standard rates apply. Although Arts Centre Melbourne car park has plenty of accessible spaces, it's still best to arrive early when possible.

Discounts for the Valet Parking service are available for Disability Parking Permit holders.

The Arts Centre Melbourne car park has a height restriction of 1.9m. For vehicles above this height restriction, accessible parking spaces are available nearby – please see City of Melbourne Accessible Amenities for more details.

Arts Centre Melbourne is located at 100 St Kilda Road, in between the National Gallery of Victoria and the Yarra River, and is only a few minutes walk from Federation Square and Flinders Street Station.

Train – A short walk across Princes Bridge from Flinders Street Station.
Tram – Take any tram along St Kilda Road and get off at Arts Centre Melbourne (Stop 14).

For more information about public transport options please visit the 'Getting Here' page.

There is bus parking available in St Kilda Road opposite Arts Centre Melbourne. If you would like to reserve bus parking please visit the Melbourne Council Parking Permit site.

There are also limited accessible parking spaces out the front of Arts Centre Melbourne.

Food may be eaten in the foyers, on the lawn area between the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall or in the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite Arts Centre Melbourne.

To discuss your requirements further, please email us at tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone our contact centre on 1300 182 183. Our contact centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 8pm.

Please note: We are unable to process ticket bookings via email.

For any specialised access questions, Arts Centre Melbourne's Disability Access Manager would love to chat with you during office hours on (03) 9281 8226.

Relaxed Performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment – this can include but is not limited to people with autism, sensory sensitivities, learning disabilities, dementia as well as those living with anxiety or who have experienced trauma.

A relaxed performance is the same show but there are some small production changes. These changes are made to eliminate surprise and reduce anxiety levels making theatre more welcoming for some audiences.

We focus on modifying the sensory environment and provide pre-show resources to help audiences prepare for their visit. During a Relaxed Performance, there is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement from audiences. Theatre doors remain open, house lights will be up, sound and lighting cues may be modified, doors will be open for people to come and go as they wish and a quiet area is available for audiences. Resources are also available to help audiences prepare for the performance.

For information and warnings about a performance, please check the warnings on the performance webpage and download the Visual Story. The Visual Story will be available to download on the performance webpage a few weeks prior to the performance.

There will be a designated Quiet Area for you to go to in the foyer of the theatre. The Quiet Area will be somewhere you can relax before the show, and where you can come and go to whenever you want during the performance, should you need to take a break. There will be comfy seating including bean bags, sensory items, and the Visual Story will be available. You can return to the theatre when you are ready – trained staff are available to assist as required.

You can take your headphones and your tablet into the theatre to assist with communication. We just ask that you please inform the ushers beforehand. We also recommend that you are mindful of the people around you whilst using a tablet, and limit its use throughout the performance so that it is not too distracting to others.

Doors will be open approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance, giving you plenty of time to find a seat and feel comfortable in the space.

Yes, we will have a number of highly trained Front of House staff available both in the foyer and in the theatre who will be able to assist you at any time.  

The food and drink policy varies from production to production but, generally speaking, cold drinks in plastic, cold food and confectionery are allowed inside. Hot drinks, with lids attached, are permitted for some productions, but hot food cannot be taken into the venue.

Please check with our staff when you visit.

Please call 1300 182 183.

For performances in the State Theatre, Playhouse or Fairfax Studio, the Cloakroom is located in the Smorgan Family Plaza on Level 5 of the Theatres Building (the building with the big spire). This is one level below street, or the same level as the entrance into the building from the Arts Centre Melbourne car park.

For performances at Hamer Hall, the Cloakroom is in the St Kilda Road Foyer on Level 6 (street level).

Our Cloakroom opens 75 minutes before a show in one of our major theatres, in the relevant building, and closes 30 minutes after the conclusion of that performance.

Items that are usually cloaked include coats, umbrellas and bags, but we take most items, including luggage and large musical instruments.

All large items (including bags larger than 30cm x 30cm x 15cm) should be cloaked before you enter the auditorium. A good rule of thumb is that anything bigger than A4 will need to be cloaked.

We reserve the right to refuse entry until your items have been placed in our cloakroom.

All due care is taken of belongings left in the cloakroom, but no responsibility is accepted by Arts Centre Melbourne.

At select Families events, complimentary Pram Parking is offered in the theatre foyers. For events without Pram Parking, small collapsible strollers can be cloaked. Large prams that cannot be collapsed will need to be left in the theatre foyer before you take your seat.

For events outside our main theatres (the State Theatre, Playhouse, Fairfax Studio and Hamer Hall), cloaking may be available. Please contact us via tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au to find out more.

For events at the Sidney Myer Musical Bowl, please refer to the conditions of entry on the event page for cloaking requirements. Please note, conditions of entry are often supplied quite close to the performance date.

All items left in the Cloakroom are stored as Lost Property. Please return to Arts Centre Melbourne with your Cloak tag to retrieve your item, or phone our Security department on (03) 9281 8316 to organise collection.

Arts Centre Melbourne's car park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We offer both casual and permanent parking options, and have a range of flat rates including Early Bird options, Valet Parking (available on most evenings), and Accessible Parking.

Entry is via Sturt and Kavanagh Streets.

The Arts Centre Melbourne car park operates on flat rates only - we do not have hourly rates. See information on our car parking page for details around rates at different times.

Arts Centre Melbourne's car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means you can get access to your parked vehicle at any time of the day or night.

For information on our rates and parking options, please refer to our car parking page.

Pedestrian access to our Car Park is through the Theatres Building via Level 5, or after hours via the stairs adjacent to the National Gallery of Victoria moat.

Arts Centre Melbourne car park entry is located on the corner of Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, Southbank. Our GPS address is 4 Sturt Street Southbank.

You’re in luck, yes! Arts Centre Melbourne wants a clean, green world too, so we have installed charging stations. See information on our car parking page for more information.

Our car park has a strict height restriction of 1.9m, so please only use our car park if your vehicle complies with this.

If you regularly use the car park, a Permanent Parking contract could save you money and guarantee a parking space. You will get your own parking card to gain access to the car park whenever you want.

Contracts are available for one month ($390 per month) or twelve months ($295 per month) plus a once only set up fee of $25.

To inquire about permanent parking, please email carpark@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone us on (03) 9281 8012.

Kings Domain Gardens, Linlithgow Ave, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Yes – we play rain, hail or shine. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor amphitheatre. If rain or bad weather occurs, the show will proceed unless it's deemed unsafe to do so.

Set times are provided by the promoter, however it is not unusual for the times to change and they are sometimes not finalised until the day of the show. Set times will be published on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website where possible.

Gates for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl will open an hour prior to the start time of the concert however on occasion this may change due to operational requirements. Keep an eye on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website for all the latest news.

Support act details are provided by the promoter and are published once they are established however they may not be finalised until the day of the show. Keep an eye on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website for the latest news.

The time that a main act starts can vary depending on the running time of the show and the number of support acts, however most main acts start around 9pm. Running times are generally finalised in the week prior to the show and placed on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website where possible.

The curfew for a main stage concert is 11pm. Generally most shows will finish around this time. Shows that run for more than 5 hours have the earlier curfew time 10pm and will finish around this time.

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a very versatile venue that can be configured in a lot of different ways. However, for a standard main stage the following options most likely will be available.

Stalls – The Stalls area is sold as a reserved seat area and is located under the canopy closest to stage. This area is very popular and usually sells very quickly.

Boxes/Balcony – The Boxes (or Balcony as it is sometimes known) is an area of reserved seats located above the stalls on the sides of the venue. This area offers a unique side view of the stage, however, it is not often available as the view may be blocked by technical equipment or allocated to back of house guests. Seats in this area are very limited.

Terrace – The Terrace is a lawn area located up a small set of stairs directly behind the stalls and in front of the main lawn area. This area is not considered undercover. It is sometimes sold as a reserved seat area where small beach chairs are provided but increasingly it is sold as a general admission area that also allows access to the stalls facilities.

Lawn – The Lawn area is sold as a general admission area and is located behind the stalls and terrace area. It is not considered undercover. This is the largest area and is where the majority of ticket holders buy tickets. It has access to food trucks, toilets and bars.

Front General Admission – For some events the area directly in front of the stage (forward of the stalls reserved seats) is sold as a general admission area. Patrons who purchase these tickets get exclusive access to stand in the area but do not get a reserved seat. If this section is sold to patrons then the front two rows of reserved seats behind this area are sold as restricted view.

Yes. It is very common for patrons to stand (and dance) in the reserved seat area.

Yes. Patrons with a reserved seat ticket can access the lawn area and are free to move between the reserved seat and lawn areas at their discretion.

It depends on the ticket options available for the show and the number of patrons who may already be in the area in front of the stage.

If there is space and all designated ticketholders have been accommodated then it may be possible, however reserved seat holders are only officially entitled to their allocated seat location.

The Channel is Arts Centre Melbourne's learning and participation venue. This exciting, spacious venue boasts high tech learning labs, a world class recording studio and vocal booth, and a flexible multi-use space.

For information on how to get here please download & print our visitor's map prior to your visit.

The Channel is accessible – for more information, including wheelchair and Auslan bookings, please contact Arts Centre Melbourne’s Access Manager Wendy O’Neill on (03) 9281 8944 or wendy.oneill@artscentremelbourne.com.au during business hours.

The Channel is not available for hire. If you are interested in hiring a venue at Arts Centre Melbourne event, further information is available here.

Our Theatres and Exhibitions (front of house) tours are wheelchair accessible, and we can offer the portable audio loop to assist with hearing needs. Auslan Interpreters can also be arranged if requested far enough in advance. Our Backstage Tour meanders through some tricky parts of our building, which unfortunately means it is not accessible to wheelchairs. For further enquiries please contact Arts Centre Melbourne’s Disability Access Manager on (03) 9281 8503 during business hours

You certainly can. In fact, we would love to show and tell you about a bunch of stuff you might never know unless you get the lowdown from one of our excellent tour guides! Head to Explore the Buildings for more information.

There are no age restrictions on the Theatres & Exhibitions (front of house) Tours, but our Backstage Tours do have a minimum age requirement of 12-years-old. All minors 15 and under on any of our tours must be accompanied by an adult. 

Tours can be booked online, through our contact centre on 1300 812 813 or at our Box Office direct

Arts Centre Melbourne's Australian Performing Arts Collection is Australia's largest and most important collection of performing arts history and traditions across circus, dance, music, opera and theatre. The Collection includes designs, costumes, objects, programs, photographs and so much more.

The Australian Performing Arts Collection is profiled through changing exhibitions and displays, both onsite and touring. Please check our Exhibitions & Curated Stories page for current offerings.

The gallery near the St Kilda Road entrance to the Theatres Building houses the Australian Music Vault. The exhibition celebrates the Australian contemporary music story - past, present and future and features iconic objects from the Australian Performing Arts Collection alongside items on loan from some of Australia’s most loved and respected artists. It is free and open daily. More information about the Australian Music Vault is available here.

Much of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Art Collection is on display within the buildings and onsite in the precinct. A self-guided tour is available through On Cue.

The Collections are also accessible through our Research Centre and our Online Catalogue.

We welcome support for the Australian Performing Arts Collection with financial contributions supporting purchases, conservation treatments, digitisation or other activities important in maintaining and growing the collection. You can make a bequest in support of the Australian Performing Arts Collection through Arts Centre Melbourne's Philanthropy team by contacting privategiving@artscentremelbourne.com.au.

If you would like to donate significant material to the Australian Performing Arts Collection please see our Donation Guidelines.

Alternatively, if you're interested in volunteering with our Collections Team, please contact researchservice@artscentremelbourne.com.au for more information.

Our Online Catalogue contains a selection of records covering items with the Australian Performing Arts Collection.

The Research Centre is available for research to be undertaken online or by appointment. Researchers can visit the Research Centre by prior appointment on Mondays and Tuesdays between 9:30am – 4:00pm.

Reproductions of photographs and documents in the Collection may be ordered subject to copyright obligations and other restrictions.

To discuss your research or make an appointment to view specific items, contact our Research Coordinator at researchservice@artscentremelbourne.com.au or on (03) 9281 8446. Or visit the Australian Performing Arts Collection online.

Arts Centre Melbourne's Australian Performing Arts Collection has been largely developed by generous donations of significant material by members of the general public.

Material may be gifted through outright donation, bequest or through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, which provides tax deductions for the donation of highly valuable cultural material. Material offered for donation is assessed regularly by the Collection Development Group in line with our Collection Development Policy.

Please view our Donation Guidelines for further details.

The Australian Performing Arts Collection includes approximately 60,000 programs donated by individuals and performing arts companies. We have complete holdings for most major performing arts companies in Melbourne and many of them donate their programs regularly.

We are currently looking for programs representing less mainstream performers and companies. Please view our Donation Guidelines for further details.

Curators are not permitted to provide valuations or appraisals of material for members of the general public. We suggest you seek advice from auction houses or individual professional valuers.

The Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program has a list of approved valuers that you can contact.

The Australian Music Vault it located in the Theatres Building (the building with the Spire) just behind our Welcome Desk at St Kilda Rd level.

As a not-for-profit arts organisation that receives 25% of its operational funding from the Victorian Government, we rely on the generous support of the public via a number of different programs.

We're lucky to receive financial support in numerous shapes and forms, so if you'd like to join the generous group of individuals, families, companies and organisations who dig deep to assist Arts Centre Melbourne deliver its events and programs, head to our Join & Support page for more information.

Yes. All donations of $2 and above are tax deductible.

No. Not a single cent. When you give, 100% of your entire donation goes directly to access and educations programs, commissions or the performing-arts collection.

Arts Centre Melbourne has a great membership program, with members receiving 25% off Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park rates, a personalised booking line, discounts at many of our food and beverage outlets, and a range of discounts, special offers and invitations to a calendar of events and functions. Members also have access to their own Members Lounge and Dining Room for pre-theatre dining or light refreshments. More information is available on our Membership page.

Only 25% of our revenue comes from government – which is the smallest percentage of any of Victoria’s public cultural institutions.

Many major shows at Arts Centre Melbourne are put on by touring companies who hire the theatres as a venue. When that happens, we don’t have any control over the ticket prices. However, we do make tickets available for $30 every day through tixatsix.

Head to our Hire our Spaces page to discover all the options available.

Please note: The Channel is not available for hire.

Hamer Hall is the only venue available for one-day hire.

Arts Centre Melbourne offers a comprehensive ticketing service online, by phone and in person at our box office*. All tickets Sidney Myer Music Bowl events are available for purchase via our ticketing partner, Ticketek.

*Fees Apply

We recommend booking 12 – 18 months in advance to ensure you can lock in the venue and dates that suit your requirements.

Hamer Hall hire fees includes a standard lighting and audio rig. All other venues come with bare walls. Equipment is available but any technical labour incurs an additional cost. All Arts Centre Melbourne venues require a minimum crew to ensure safe operations.

We would love you to share pictures and video of your visit with us on social media networks (don’t forget those ‘@’ or ‘#’ symbols so we know you’re sharing the Arts Centre Melbourne love!) and even on your personal blog, but only if there is no commercial aspect to the publishing of the images or video – it must be for personal use only and not contravene any other of our policies around filming.

Yes! Arts Centre Melbourne is proud to abide by the Victorian Film Friendly Guidelines 2014. Every assistance will be offered, subject to site activity, sponsorship agreements and availability. Terms and conditions apply.

If you are outside the building or in the foyer then 100%, yes! We want you to share your memories of your visit with friends and family, but unless you have sought permission from us, any footage you take must be for personal use only and not contravene any of our policies around filming. Thanks for respecting this, now snap away!

Photography during performances is generally not permitted. Please check with venue staff upon entering to confirm the photography policy for the performance you are attending.

Not without approval from us. Please submit a brief outlining your film shoot request to venuehire@artscentremelbourne.com.au for our review. We’ll be back in touch with you once a decision has been made.

Of course we understand you want to record your event, performance or other activity during your time at Arts Centre Melbourne, why wouldn't you?! 

As part of your agreement when hiring our spaces an venues, there is a separate 'Recording Form' that needs to be submitted, so please speak to either your Account Manager, Production Manager or whoever your contact is at Arts Centre Melbourne to ensure this is submitted and approved before doing any recording. Thanks!

Thanks for the invitation to be part of your happy day and congratulations!

A few things you need to know first. Due to the constant level of activity across all our public spaces, we don't permit wedding photography inside our foyers. But if you’re using our venues for a wedding reception or simply want to take some of your professional wedding snaps with us as the background, feel free to wander along the external balconies of either the Theatres Building or Hamer Hall, including grassed areas.

Please remember though, as with any other filming at Arts Centre Melbourne, the photos or video taken can't be for commercial purposes and must be for personal use only, and not contravene any other policy around filming.

All bookings are made online using our online booking form. More information on our booking processes, subsidy programs and Terms and Conditions are found on the How To Book page.

The First Call Fund Partnership Program provides access to performances, workshops, tours and teacher PDs at Arts Centre Melbourne for the low-cost of only $1 per ticket (subject to program availability). The subsidy may also reimburse the cost of transport to and from Melbourne.

For more information about eligibility and applications, please refer to our First Call Fund page.

Arts Centre Melbourne is located at 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 between the National Gallery of Victoria and the Yarra River. It's only minutes away from Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and the CBD.

See our Getting Here page for information on public transport options.

Drop off points for chartered buses are located in the (city-bound) service lane of St Kilda Road outside the NGV and Hamer Hall, but there is no parking permitted at these locations. Two-hour bus parking is available opposite Arts Centre Melbourne along St Kilda Road and is regulated by the Melbourne City Council. For more details please visit melbourne.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9658 9658.

Parking for standard sized vehicles is available in Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park via the corner of Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, Southbank. Learn more about the Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park.

It depends on the performance but usually no, you will not need a physical ticket for the show. Most school shows are dedicated matinees for schools only, and Front of House staff use a seating plan. Each school is greeted by our staff and seated in the auditorium as group. We ask that teachers sit among their students to ensure appropriate supervision across the entire group.  

We don't want you to miss any of your performance or workshop, and we're sure you don't either, so we strongly encourage schools to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.

However, if you are running late please do get in touch.

If you are running late for a performance, please call the Welcome desk on (03) 9281 8298. On your arrival you will be admitted to the auditorium at a suitable break in the performance.

If you are running late for a workshop, please call The Channel on (03) 9281 8194.

Schools Performances
Please arrive at Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt in front of the Theatres Building (under the spire) 30 minutes prior to your scheduled performance time. You will be met by a member of the Education team who will then direct your group to the appropriate foyer. This is good time to use the bathrooms before you proceed to the theatre. If you are bringing multiple age groups, it helps if classes are lined up with the most junior classes first as we like to seat them in front of the older children.

The Channel
The Channel is located next to Hamer Hall along the Yarra River. From St Kilda Road–Walk walk around Hamer Hall main entrance to the right, and pass Fatto Restaurant. The entrance to The Channel is the set of glass doors to your left. Staff will meet groups at Arts Centre Melbourne Reception at The Channel main entrance. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the start time unless otherwise arranged. Download a map to The Channel.

Enthusiasm and excitement!

Food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium and all electronic devices must be switched off. We highly recommend that schools bags are left at school. For safety reasons, school bags cannot be brought into the auditorium. School lunches may be stored in the foyers and will be supervised by our staff.

For workshops in The Channel, bags can be stored in workshop spaces. Some workshops require pre-workshop tasks to be completed by students – make sure you check your emails and bring any of this material along on the day!

School lunches may be eaten on the lawn area between the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall or in the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite Arts Centre Melbourne. If it rains, students may eat lunches in the theatre foyers (subject to performance schedules). Please note: food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium.

Guided Tours - Our guides will take students through the foyers and into the auditoriums (where available) and reveal the history, design and function of the buildings, as well as explaining the significance of the artwork that fills the walls of our foyers. Find out more information about our Guided Tours.

The Australian Music Vault - The Australian Music Vault is an exhibition at Arts Centre Melbourne that celebrates the past, present and future of Australian contemporary music. Delving into the extensive Australian Performing Arts Collection, objects will be on display for schools and the general public that will inspire and engage, telling the stories of the Australian music industry and its fans. Explore the Australian Music Vault Digital Resource Kit.

Explore the area - Arts Centre Melbourne sits within the heart of Melbourne’s Cultural Precinct, with sites such as National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the State Library of Victoria and Melbourne Museum either a walk or tram ride away.

You can download teachers’ resources from current and past productions here.

We have an extensive archive of teacher resources from shows as far back as 2009. Resources from 2017 onward are found on our Resources Page, and older resources can be requested by emailing schools@artscentremelbourne.com.au

Participation certificates include the date and duration of the PD, and can be used as evidence of required PD hours for VIT registration.

The activities, ideas and learnings can be implemented across a range of educational areas. Our professional development workshops and sessions are open to all educators and pre-service teachers.

In 2013 we wanted to do something that explored hidden places within Arts Centre Melbourne, and to create a unique artistic experience of these spaces. Our venues are often transitory spaces – people bustling through foyers to get in and out of shows, the constant ebb and flow of cars and people in and out of the carpark, the passing pedestrian traffic...so we wanted to create a journey through our bright and colourful halls encouraging people to stop and listen and contemplate for, well, 5 minutes.

Check out the 5x5x5 website to experience the original compositions in a virtual journey through Arts Centre Melbourne.

Samantha Wolf; Kitty Xiao; Jakob Bragg; Joseph O’Connor; and Carolyn Schofield.

Producer – Joshua Cowie, Creative Learning Producer, Arts Centre Melbourne;
Artistic Director – Peter Knight;
Performer Coordinator – Matt Hoym, Academy of Music (ANAM);
Recording Engineer – Amy Bennett, Creative Learning Producer, Arts Centre Melbourne

LOL Squad LIVE perform at The Channel during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, but you can also watch LOL Squad sketches online.

For more information, please head to our LOL Squad page.

LOL Squad members are recruited out of Class Clowns participants.

Class Clowns is held every year for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and you can register to perform your routine in a Class Clowns heat. Heats are held annually (usually during March) in the run up to the Festival. For more information about the program visit the Class Clowns website.

LOL Squad are a team of funny peeps aged 14 – 18 and are alumni from Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns. It’s important to remember that if you are over 18, Class Clowns is not for you. You can, however, register to be a part of RAW Comedy

Yes! The Class Clowns Comedy Crash Course Workshop could be just what you are looking for. These workshops are for beginners and do not require any prior knowledge or skills. Talk to your teacher about booking an excursion.

The New Slang events team are teens aged 15-17, but anyone can attend a New Slang gig.

Keep up to date with New Slang gigs by subscribing to the Arts Centre Melbourne mailing list or check out the What’s On page of our website.

We do a shout out in January each year for New Slang event team members. Applications are submitted online. For details contact The Push on (03) 9380 1277 or email push@thepush.com.au

The Push is a Victorian non-profit youth music organisation established in 1986. Through a wide range of music related programs The Push aim to educate, entertain, inspire and empower young people. The Push works with music for young people as event organisers, audiences, community members and creative artists in a range of programs including band competitions, dance workshops, mentoring, and creative and professional development programs.

Organisations and community groups who work with those who rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to visit Arts Centre Melbourne.

Our community partners include organisations of all sizes, from local government through to small volunteer-run community groups, and offer support and services to people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

The Community Partner Program is not available to individuals.

Fully funded visits to Arts Centre Melbourne including ticket costs and some assistance with travel as required.

The Community Partner Program also offers inclusive participatory initiatives and events; opportunities for your community to get involved in the arts.

All Community Partner Program experiences are paid for through generous donations provided to the First Call Fund.

The First Call Fund was established in 2008 thanks to the incredible generosity of Arts Centre Melbourne’s philanthropic supporters. Since then, the fund has continued to grow through the generosity of many different Victorians who share our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to engage with the arts in a meaningful way.

Simply fill in the Community Partner Program online application form.

We will be in touch within three weeks to discuss the outcome of your application and next steps.

Applications open a month prior to 30 June.

Download the Community Partner Program FAQs.

Community Partners are encouraged to make the most of the partnership. We recommend that you experience a breadth of performances, workshops and experiences at Arts Centre Melbourne across the year.

Keep in mind, all shows and workshops are subject to availability.

Get in touch with the Associate Producer Access & Inclusion on 03 9281 8784 or email community@artscentremelbourne.com.au to discuss your options.

Subsidised tickets are available for all Arts Centre Melbourne Presents performances and workshops (subject to availability). Other performances may be available from time to time, so contact the Associate Producer Access & Inclusion (03 9281 8784 or community@artscentremelbourne.com.au) if there is a particular show that is of interest to your community members.

When coming on board as a Community Partner, you will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions.

We require one person from your Organisation to be our key contact. This person will be our first point of call for any opportunities at Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as bookings.

We want the partnership to be beneficial and have an impact on your community. We encourage Community Partners to book for a variety of experiences. We appreciate bookings made in advance and ask to be notified of any changes to numbers at least 10-days before the scheduled performance.

We ask all our Community Partners to complete a post-visit evaluation. Your feedback is invaluable.