Parliament of Victoria
Description
Plans for Parliament House were drawn in 1855, with construction taking place from the inside out. Within only 11 months, the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Chambers were completed in 1856 and connected by a corridor at the back. The library was completed in 1861 and then the vestibule and Queen's Hall were completed in 1879, providing a grand entrance to Parliament House and allowing for greater movement between the two chambers.
Parliament House continues to change with restoration works and efforts to improve accessibility transforming the building in recent years and continuing to support its significance as the location of the State Parliament of Victoria and one of Melbourne's most iconic buildings.
What's On
The Parliament of Victoria will offer guided tours of Parliament House, allowing visitors to learn about the historic building and the role of Parliament in debating issues and passing laws. These tours will be presented by our professional tour guides, take approximately 40 minutes, and include the Legislative Chambers, Queen’s Hall, and Parliamentary Library.
Visitors will move through the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Chambers and learn about the Westminster style of Parliament, explore the grand Queen’s Hall, admire the portraits of past Premiers that adorn the walls, and discover the Parliamentary Library holding more than 50,000 books and reports.
Images: (1) Front view of Parliament House. (2) Parliament Library. (3) Legislative Assembly chamber. (4) Legislative Council chamber. (5) Historic Image of Parliament House. All images: courtesy of Parliament of Victoria.
Important Details
Time & Date
Parliament is at capacity for Sunday 26 July. No new arrivals will be admitted for tours. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Saturday 25 July + Sunday 26 July
Tours run every 15 minutes from 10am. Last tour departs at 3.00pm
Running for 40 minutes in groups of 25
Visitors will need to pass through security on arrival and are required to bring photo ID in the form of a valid Australian drivers licence, Australian Passport, or Foreign Passport.
Entry via the front steps. Accessible entry also provided.
ACCESSIBILITY
Ramp or level (step free) entry, Lift access to all public levels, Accessible bathrooms, All-gender bathrooms, Parent's Room, Assistive listening/hearing loop, Quiet or sensory rooms, Social Stories
People with a mobility or physical disability can access Parliament House through the side entrance on Spring street or the rear entrance on Macarthur Street.
Accessible toilets are located on the ground level and level one.
Auslan videos are provided at points of interest on our public tours by scanning QR codes with your smartphone.
Two social stories are available to accompany a visit to Parliament House. These have been designed for visitors who are neurodiverse who may like to read them in preparation for their visit. One is intended for readers of all ages, the other focuses on the experience of a school visit to Parliament House.
This site is included in our Access Map 2026.
