The Parliament House Artist-in-Residence program and application process is intended to be accessible to everyone. This includes supporting Australian artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations artists, and artists with disability.
We have provided access options listed below, and we encourage you to tell us if you need anything else when you apply for the Parliament House Artist-in-Residence program.
Using the Parliament of Australia website
The Parliament of Australia website has UserWay Accessibility built in which can be used by clicking the icon in the bottom right of the page:
This menu lets you adjust the website so that it works better for your needs.
Accessibility tools included are:
• Screen reader.
• Contrast and saturation controls.
• Link highlighting.
• Adjustable text size, spacing, and alignment.
• Line height options.
• Hide images.
• Dyslexia-friendly mode.
• Enhanced cursor.
• Tooltips.
• Page structure view.
• Built-in dictionary.
Using the application portal
The Artist in Residence applications are submitted through the SmartyGrants website. It currently complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 at Level AA and has also been assessed against WCAG 2.1.
For more information, please refer to the SmartyGrants Accessibility Statement 2025-26.
Application support
Applicants can submit their proposal in the following formats:
• Text.
• Video.
• Audio.
If you need to submit in another format or require assistance, please email art@aph.gov.au with 'Artist-in-Residence' in the Subject line.
We welcome applications submitted in languages of First Nations peoples. Should you wish to discuss your project or submit your application in your first language, please contact us.
For enquiries or applications in other languages, we also invite you to contact us.
Please note that in the Statement of Requirements (Guidelines), ‘technical capability’ at point 4 of the Selection process evaluation criteria means mastery of the artist’s chosen medium.
Assessment of applications
The assessment process has been developed to ensure representation of panel members with diverse backgrounds and lived experience.
We have developed an assessment structure that is inclusive and equitable, including:
• A publicly available standardised scoring framework aligned with the selection criteria.
• A virtual information session during stage one application process.
• Flexible interviews in the second phase– online interviews with interview questions provided in advance.
Accessibility at Parliament House
If you are the successful artist-in-resident, Parliament House offers a range of accessibility supports for your time in the building.
These include:
• Wheelchair accessibility.
• Accessible parking.
• Hireable wheelchairs and strollers.
• An adult change facility and accessible bathrooms.
• Access for assistance animals.
• Sensory supports, such as designated low sensory areas.
Access is also available to the following facilities, where appropriate:
• Family lounge.
• Nurses Centre.
• Breastfeeding areas – APH is an accredited breastfeeding friendly workplace by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA).
• First Nations Elders Lounge.
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.
Residency support
During the residency, we provide a range of support and accessibility measures, including:
• Access guides for the building.
• A support person from the Department of Parliamentary Services Art Collections team.
• Support workers and assistance animals, noting that interstate artists should be aware that travel and accommodation allowances will be provided according to a negotiated budget.
• Additional funding options for accessibility or support requirements including interpreters.
Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or specific supports you would like us to be aware of at the application stage.