The 48th Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia will officially open on Tuesday 22 July 2025. We ask for the cooperation and patience of visitors during the opening.
Traffic control measures and parking
There will be temporary and intermittent traffic control measures in place from approximately 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on:
- Parliament Drive
- Commonwealth and Kings Avenue ramps
- Federation Mall.
The public car park will be open as normal. We expect the car park to be busy so please consider other transport arrangements.
Building and Forecourt access
The building will be open to the public from 10 am to 6pm on the day.
From 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, there will be no access to the Forecourt apart from the designated viewing area. The viewing area is located along the Forecourt western wall. You can watch the smoking ceremony from the viewing area from 9:15 am.
You can access the viewing area and building entry via the Great Verandah western stairwell or car park lift. You get to the stairwell and lift from the public car park.
Pedestrians can also access the car park from the Forecourt stairwells. If stairs aren’t accessible to you, please let a staff member know and they will escort you to the viewing area or entrance. View the map.
Viewing proceedings
The Opening of the 48th Parliament will be livestreamed on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal and ParlView. You can also watch the proceedings in the Parliament House Theatre on level 1.
Seating in the Senate and House of Representatives galleries is by invitation only during the proceedings.
Shopping and dining
The Parliament Shop and Queen’s Terrace Café will be open as usual.
Images: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Servies