Accessibility

There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations available.

To book accessible or companion seating contact the Sydney Symphony Orchestra box office (02) 8215 4600 or call the Sydney Opera House on +61 2 9250 7777 or email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com.

The Sydney Opera House provides two services to improve listening clarity for people with hearing loss.

FM Augmentation System (FM Devices)

Audio input or any electronic sound source feeds into an FM transmitter and the FM radio frequency signal is picked up by the patrons FM receiver. FM receivers and headsets are provided free of charge and can be obtained from the nearest cloakroom prior to the performance.

This service has full coverage in all venues except the Utzon Room.

Hearing Loop

A Hearing Loop provides an in-floor magnetic field which emits a wireless signal. To receive the signal directly a patron can switch their hearing aid or cochlear implant processor to the T Switch, or Telecoil position.

Please inquire at the Cloak Room for this service.

A Hearing Loop is also installed at the main Box Office counter windows. This amplifies Box Office staff and customer voices to assist when making enquires or booking tickets.

The Companion Card is accepted for all performances at the Sydney Opera House. Patrons holding a Companion Card can call Sydney Symphony Orchestra box office (02) 8215 4600 or the Sydney Opera House on +61 2 9250 7752 to discuss seating requirements.

Stairs

For those with limited mobility, there are seating locations within the Concert Hall that have significant amounts of stairs to seats. The below step counts are from the nearest level access point including all available public lifts.

• Concert Hall Stalls – minimum 0, maximum 22
• Concert Hall Dress Circle – minimum 4, maximum 28
• Concert Hall Dress Circle Boxes – minimum 0, maximum 15
• Concert Hall Platform Boxes – minimum 39, maximum 54
• Concert Hall Choir & Organ Seating – minimum 43, maximum 6

Accessible Toilets

Lower Concourse: two facilities, one located at the bottom of the escalators from East Circular Quay and one near Opera Kitchen.

Main Box Office Level: two facilities, located in the corridor next to the Box Office.

Courtesy Wheelchairs

A limited number of courtesy wheelchairs (standard manual wheelchairs) are available for loan one hour before performances for patrons attending events in the Concert Hall. They are available by the entrance of the Western Foyers (at the top of the escalators).

Courtesy Bus

A free wheelchair accessible Courtesy Bus operates between Circular Quay and the street level entrance of the Sydney Opera House Western foyer (lift access inside).

Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Pick up from the pedestrian concourse, opposite Wharf 2 (underneath the Cahill expressway).

Circular Quay Location: It leaves from the vehicle turning circle/parking area on the pedestrian concourse opposite Wharf 2 (underneath the Cahill expressway).

Assistance animals

Guide dogs or any animals trained to assist people with disabilities are welcome inside all areas of the Sydney Opera House. To ensure appropriate seating is allocated, please advise of your requirements when booking.

Dedicated wheelchair positions are on all levels of the auditorium. To book accessible seating, please call Sydney Symphony Orchestra (02) 8215 4600 or the City Recital Hall on (02) 8256 2222 ahead of your event.

Wheelchair access to Level 1 of the auditorium is through Auditorium Door 1.

Auracast

City Recital Hall now uses Auracast assistive listening technology to broadcast audio within the entire theatre. If patrons have an Auracast-enabled device, they can connect to the system directly via the Bluetooth settings on their device. Alternatively, Auracast receiver packs can be collected from the Cloak Room in the ground floor foyer. To use this system:

1. Press and hold the button on the right for two seconds to turn the unit on/off.
2. Plug in headphones or neckloop in either of the two ports at the top of the receiver.
3. Press the ‘scan/select’ button (the button on the right-hand side of the receiver under the display) to select the City Recital Hall broadcast name, and then hit this button again to connect.
4. Set the volume to a desired level using the volume buttons on the left side of the receiver.

Hearing loops at service counters

For added accessibility, localised hearing loops are installed at the City Recital Hall Box Office and the Cloak Room.

The Companion Card is accepted at the City Recital Hall. Patrons holding a Companion Card can call Sydney Symphony Orchestra Box Office (02) 8215 4600 or the City Recital Hall on (02) 8256 2222.

Venue Access

City Recital Hall has two street-level entrances from Pitt Street and George Street (via Ash Street). The Pitt Street entrance has no steps and leads straight into the Box Office and Foyer. The George Street entrance involves steps but also has an accessible lift.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are available on all levels at the following locations:

• Foyer – located next to the Cloak Room
• Level 1 – located by Auditorium Door 2
• Level 2 – located by the lifts
• Level 3 – located by the lifts

Stairs

City Recital Hall has four levels open to the general public, all of which are accessible via lifts. Patrons with limited mobility please take note of the step count between levels.

• Foyer to Level 1 – 29 steps
• Level 1 to Level 2 – 29 steps
• Level 2 to Level 3 – 28 steps

Courtesy Wheelchairs

City Recital Hall has two courtesy wheelchairs available, please speak to the City Recital Hall staff to assist.

Assistance animals

Accredited Assistance animals are welcome at City Recital Hall. To ensure appropriate seating is allocated, please advise of your requirements when booking.

Please provide proof of accreditation when you arrive at the venue.

ICC Sydney Theatre has equitable, step-free and gradient compliant access to the venue. The main ground floor entrance is accessible from the Exhibition Light Rail crossing via Moriaty Walk, Car Park (P1), Car Park 2 (P2), and Tumbalong Boulevard. The closest vehicle drop off point is at Zollner Circuit.

Dedicated wheelchair positions are located on Level 2 and Level 4 of ICC Sydney Theatre. Depending on the stage configuration of the event, capacity limits may be in place on the floor for both reserved and general admission events. However, if there is availability in a suitable area we may be able to accommodate additional wheelchair seating.

If you require accessible seating, it is important to indicate your needs when purchasing tickets so that you can be properly allocated.

The ICC Sydney Theatre is fitted with infra-red hearing augmentation systems.

Complimentary hearing loops are available at the customer service desks in ICC Sydney.

Find more information about collecting a hearing loop at ICC Sydney here.

Braille is provided on all room door signage and fixed directional signage throughout the venue. Tactile flooring is provided at egress points including at main entryways, staircases, and escalators.