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Accessibility
Opera Australia works closely with each of its venues to provide access initiatives and services to ensure our performances are available to everybody.
For people with limited mobility
To book wheelchair positions, wheelchair companion seats and/or level access seats, please contact our customer service team in Sydney on 02 9318 8200, Melbourne on 03 9685 3700 or by emailing customerservice@opera.org.au.
Sydney Opera House
Visitors with limited mobility can be dropped off at the Macquarie Street Gatehouse, where Sydney Opera House staff can arrange wheelchair-accessible shuttle transfers. An accessible underground drop-off and pick-up point is also available in the evenings. A complimentary wheelchair-accessible Courtesy Bus operates from Circular Quay.
For more information visit the Sydney Opera House website.
Arts Centre Melbourne
Arts Centre Melbourne and its major venues and car park are wheelchair accessible.
For more information visit the Arts Centre Melbourne website.
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Patrons with mobility impairments are strongly advised to book Stalls seating. There is no lift access to the Dress Circle. Step-free access to the Stalls can be arranged, please see a Front of House staff member at the front of the venue for assistance.
For more information visit the Regent Theatre Melbourne website.
For people with vision impairment
For people who are blind or have low vision, Opera Australia, in association with Vision Australia schedule Audio Described performances where a description of key scenic, costume and lighting elements as well as pivotal action, entrances and exits of the cast are broadcast by professional audio describers to a small radio headset, supplied prior to the performance.
Bookings for this service are essential and can be done by calling Opera Australia in Sydney on 02 9318 8200 or Melbourne on 03 9685 3700.
Upcoming Audio Described performances
My Fair Lady at Sydney Opera House | Sun 11 Oct, 3pm
For people who are deaf and hard of hearing
Surtitles allow those with hearing limitations to follow the libretto (text) in real time. Surtitles are a translation of the text, often sung in a language other than English which can be seen on one or more screens (depending on the venue) and can be seen from most seats in each of our resident theatres. On our website, seats which do not have a view of the surtitle screens are marked with 'No Surtitle View'. If booking in person or over the phone, please be sure to request a view of the surtitles if you require it.
Some of our performances (mostly musicals) are not performed with surtitles. For these productions, we may offer some captioned performance via the GoTheatrical app or Auslan interpreted performances. Upcoming performances will be listed below.
If you have any questions, please contact our box office in Sydney on 02 9318 8200 or Melbourne on 03 9685 3700.
Upcoming Closed Caption performances
Upcoming Auslan interpreted performances
My Fair Lady at Sydney Opera House | Thu 29 Oct, 1pm
Relaxed performances
A relaxed performance is designed to ensure guests with disability and their families, or anyone who may benefit from a more relaxed environment, can more fully enjoy the performance experience together. This can include people on the autism spectrum, anyone with sensory or cognitive considerations, families, or any individuals who prefer to watch the performance in a more flexible setting. Anyone can benefit.
Guests are welcome to come and go from their seats during the performance to make the evening more accommodating for persons with disability to facilitate any accessibility considerations they may require .
A guide will be available prior to the performance with performance timings, detailed descriptions and images of the venue if you’d like to be more informed about what to expect when you visit. A ‘Quiet Space’ is available if a break from the show is needed.
Opera Australia would like to thank Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) for their assistance in making this accessible performance possible.