Upgrades to the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives chamber will be closed until December 2023.

Why are we doing this?

We are making a once-in-a-generation investment in heritage conservation, sustainability and increased access.
The purpose of the work is to complete much needed repair and remediation works to the building fabric and to protect and preserve the chamber for ongoing sustainable use.
Our goal is to continue to make this significant space available for current audiences and future generations.
The work allows for visitors to continue to come and have an authentic experience in the chamber – to participate in school programs and guided tours, to sit in the leather seats, to reflect upon the decisions that were made here in the place associated with 61 years of Australian legislature.

A large, tall metal scaffolding rises from the floor to the ceiling in the centre of the House of Representatives chamber. Wooden panels and a set of doors are visible at the bottom of the scaffolding.

What is happening?

Render repair and painting
Timber and furniture conservation treatment
Glass balustrade installation
Hearing loop installation
Ramp installation
Window conservation and double-glazing work

A construction working wearing a yellow hi-vis jacket and a help holds a glue gun up to a timber window frame.

A construction working wearing a mask, an orange top and a hard hat kneels down to chip away at a wood panel below his feet.

How this impacts your visit

MoAD is open. When you visit Old Parliament House you will see scaffolding on the building and you may see a crane.

The House of Representatives chamber is closed to visitors and you will see some construction hoarding around the chamber. The Senate chamber is open.