PLAN YOUR ACTON VISIT

Welcome to our Canberra home in Acton, Australian Capital Territory. Visit our Canberra experiences page to learn more about our onsite café, public spaces and year-round program of screenings, exhibitions and events.

Sign up to our newsletter and tick the box to receive What’s On updates and stay in the loop about Canberra screenings, events, exhibitions, special guests and more.

Opening hours

The NFSA is open daily from 10am to 4pm except for Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year's Day (1 January).

The NFSA is also open outside these hours for advertised events.

CAFE and bar OPENING HOURS

The team from Church Neighbourhood Goods is providing a cafe and bar service at the NFSA in Acton, serving locally roasted Redbrick coffee. Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm. The cafe and bar is also open late for NFSA screenings and events.

TICKETING

Admission to the NFSA building is free. Tickets for events and exhibitions are available via the events calendar.

CLUB NFSA

Join Club NFSA to get free entry to every seventh paid screening, event or exhibition. Request a Club NFSA card at Reception and have your card stamped each time you visit.

Your Club NFSA card is redeemable for regular screenings, events and paid exhibitions but excludes premium and third-party events.

NFSA GIFT VOUCHERS

NFSA Gift Vouchers are redeemable for any Arc Cinema or exhibition ticket purchased via our ticketing page.

Purchase your NFSA Gift Voucher

How to get to the NFSA in Canberra

We're situated in the heart of Canberra on McCoy Circuit, Acton, between the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and the Australian National University.

View on Google Maps

Visit the ACT Government website for information about potential disruption to local traffic near the NFSA during the construction of the light rail to Woden.

PARKING

Dedicated visitor parking is available on the NFSA premises between McCoy Circuit and Ellery Crescent (paid parking Monday to Friday, up to three hours). There are six accessible parking spaces across two car parks, both off McCoy Circuit. 

There is also limited free street parking on Liversidge Street.

We recommend considering public transport in peak times.

DROP-OFF 

There is a 15-minute free parking zone in front of the McCoy Circuit entrance for pick-ups and drop-offs. There is also a drop-off point on Liversidge Street. 

TRAVELLING BY BUS

Route 53 runs between Dickson Shops and the National Museum of Australia seven days a week (fewer services on weekends and public holidays). Alight at Liversidge Street (stop 3487) at the rear entrance to the NFSA.

All regular routes connect with at least two rapid routes to help customers making longer journeys. 

Visit the Transport Canberra website for more information about public transport timetables.

TRAVELLING BY LIGHT RAIL

The NFSA is a 15 to 20-minute walk from the Alinga Street light rail interchange in Canberra’s city centre.

Visit Transport Canberra for information on using the light rail.

TRAVELLING BY E-SCOOTER

Beam Mobility and Neuron Mobility operate shared e-scooters in Canberra.

The NFSA sits just outside the e-scooter geofence – visit the Transport Canberra website to access a shared e-scooters map and follow parking and safety instructions in the Beam and Neuron apps.

AFTER-HOURS ACCESS 

For after-hours events, the Liversidge Street entrance remains open until the start time of the event. To access the building via Liversidge Street after this time, please use the intercom at the door to contact Reception.  

The McCoy Circuit entrance remains open for the duration of after-hours events. 

General accessibility

Wheelchair access

All areas within the NFSA are wheelchair accessible.  

Wheelchair access to the building is available via Liversidge Street. There are accessible parking spaces on both sides of the building, off McCoy Circuit (see below). 

A wheelchair is available from Reception, which can be requested on arrival. To book the wheelchair in advance, call (02) 6248 2000 during business hours. 

https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-02/Wheelchair%20map.jpg

ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS

Accessible bathrooms are located on the McCoy Circuit side of the building, opposite the Theatrette, and on the Liversidge Street side of the building.  

NFSA bathrooms are gendered.

Hearing assistance

There are T-Coil induction hearing loops available in Arc Cinema and the Theatrette. For further information about this service, please contact your Venue Hire Coordinator.

VISUAL ACCESSIBILITY 

Lighting options are customisable for venue hire requirements.  

Unfortunately, Braille guides are not currently available. 

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance animals that are trained, registered and visibly identifiable are welcome at the NFSA when accompanied by their handler.

WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE 

Access signage and wayfinding is provided at the McCoy Circuit and Liversidge Street entrances. Accessible parking is signed. 

Universal access symbols are used on the NFSA website to identify accessible events.   

Venue-specific accessibility 

Arc Cinema:

• Arc Cinema has three permanently available accessible seats. 
• The stage is accessible via ramp.  
• Arc Cinema is fitted with a T-Coil induction hearing loop system. 
• Arc Cinema is equipped with a Dolby Accessible Solution that allows patrons to access Closed Captions and Audio Description for DCP content with embedded accessibility features. Guests should arrive 15 minutes prior to the advertised event time to allow our staff to assist with setup.  

Theatrette:

• The Theatrette has two permanently available accessible seats. Another two accessible seats can be made available on request. 
• The stage is accessible via a lift. 
• The Theatrette is fitted with a T-Coil induction hearing loop system. 

Parents and carers 

There is a bathroom with changing facilities for parents and carers on the McCoy Circuit side of the building, opposite the Theatrette.  

Water 

Water is available for guests in the NFSA cafe. There is also a water fountain located in the Courtyard, near the McCoy Circuit foyer doors.  

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Accessible versions of our Disability Inclusion Action Plan are available in the following formats:

• Disability and Inclusion Action Plan_PDF
• Disability and Inclusion Action Plan_Word

Hard copy formats are also available to borrow from reception, or contact:
enquiries@nfsa.gov.au
+61 2 6248 2000
Toll free (within Australia): 1800 067 274

PLAN YOUR VISIT – COVID-19 INFORMATION

Information about COVID Smart behaviours is available from the ACT Government’s COVID-19 website.

NFSA CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

To help us ensure the safety of all visitors, and to protect our displays and exhibitions from damage, please observe the following conditions of entry to the NFSA.

• NFSA buildings and grounds are smoke-free.
• Food and drink are not permitted in the Gallery.
• Bicycles are not permitted within the building.
• Photography for personal use is permitted, except in the Exhibition Gallery or where signs request no photography. No filming is allowed in the Exhibition Gallery, Arc Cinema or NFSA Theatrette. Photography and filming for any commercial purpose is prohibited unless prior written permission has been obtained from the NFSA.
• Assistance animals that are trained, registered and visibly identifiable are welcome at the NFSA when accompanied by their handler. All other animals are prohibited.
• Prams and strollers are permitted within the NFSA. Visitors are to take care when using prams and strollers to avoid any damage to NFSA property or injury to other visitors or cinema patrons.
• No organised event or function is to be held in the courtyard without prior written approval.
• All visitors must comply with any reasonable health and safety instructions, and take reasonable care not to put themselves or others at risk.
• Security closed-circuit television cameras are installed in the building and may record visitors during their visit.
• For safety reasons, large backpacks, bags or other baggage are not allowed in the Exhibition Gallery. The NFSA may also ask you to check large bags upon entry to Arc Cinema and the Theatrette.
• Visitors who do not comply with NFSA notices or directions, or who engage in conduct that poses a threat to the NFSA building or exhibits or to personal safety, may be directed to leave the NFSA by an authorised officer. This includes engaging in dangerous or inappropriate behaviour or illegal acts or infringing the rights of any other person.