Accessibility
Web Accessibility
Laneway Festival is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience for everyone. We welcome questions, feedback and suggestions that can help us improve accessibility across the festival and our website.
If you have specific accessibility questions not addressed below, or require additional information prior to purchasing a ticket, please get in touch via our Access Enquiry Form.
For any website access or experiencing difficulty with the website please contact us at info@lanewayfestival.com. When reporting a website issue, please include the page or feature you were trying to access so our team can assist you and work towards resolving the problem.
We are continually reviewing and improving the accessibility and usability of our digital experiences, guided by the relevant Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), to ensure they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.
Festival Accessibility
We want everyone to feel welcome at Laneway and have the information they need to plan their day.
Laneway Festival is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and accessible space for everyone. We have heard your feedback from previous events and are actively working towards improving our access services to ensure a more seamless, inclusive experience across all sites.
If you have specific accessibility questions not addressed below, or require additional information prior to purchasing a ticket, please get in touch via our Access Enquiry Form.
City-specific access request forms will open in November to register specific on-site access requests or exceptions.
We know that accessibility is not a one-size-fits-all. Every disability is unique, and everyone manages their health, energy, and access needs differently. Our goal is to provide a solid baseline of clear information, reliable facilities, and dedicated support so you have the foundations you need to plan your day and have your best possible festival experience.
Behind the scenes, our team is human, deeply committed, and continuously learning in an area of event management that is ever-evolving. While outdoor festival sites present inherent physical challenges, we are dedicated to listening, adapting, and making meaningful progress year after year.
To ensure accessibility is built into our festival planning from the ground up, Laneway has appointed a dedicated Access & Inclusion Manager. Bringing both lived experience with a dynamic disability and an extensive event operations background, they are working directly alongside our national and local site teams to champion patron needs at every stage of production and event delivery.
We are also strengthening our on-ground support with comprehensive disability awareness training initiatives for staff, alongside an expanded team of trained Laneway Helpers and Crowd Care personnel on site to assist you throughout the day.
Laneway Festival does not offer separate "Accessible Ticket" types. All patrons, including those with access requirements, purchase general admission or VIP tickets during our standard on sale periods:
Pre-Sale Date & Times: Wednesday 7 October
Auckland – 11:00am NZDT
Sydney – 10:00am AEDT
Melbourne – 11:00am AEDT
Brisbane – 11:00am AEST
On Sale Date & Times: Thursday 8 October
Auckland – 11:00am NZDT
Sydney – 10:00am AEDT
Melbourne – 11:00am AEDT
Brisbane – 11:00am AEST
Official Ticket Outlet: Ticketek (AU) | Ticketek (NZ)
Laneway Festival proudly accepts government-issued Companion Cards. You can add a complimentary companion ticket directly during your online ticket purchase process.
If you have already purchased your ticket and need to add a companion card, please fill out this form. A member of our Ticketek staff will call you to process your request and then send your ticket.
Note: You may be required to present your valid Companion Card alongside your ticket upon entry at the festival.
Laneway Festival takes place across large, open-air outdoor sites subject to varying weather conditions, including heat, sun, wind, and rain.
- Terrain: Sites differ by city and include a mix of grassed areas, compacted gravel, paved pathways, and uneven natural ground.
- Weather & Rain Impact: Heavy rain can turn grassed areas muddy or slippery, making navigation challenging for patrons using wheelchairs, power chairs, or mobility aids.
- Distances: Stages, bars, food vendors, and amenities cover significant ground. There are substantial distances between key areas of the site.
- Seating: General seating is limited and can be found around food and activations. While we provide dedicated viewing platforms and chill-out areas, we recommend factoring site size and physical demands into your planning.
- Patron maps will be made available closer to the event.
On-Site Accessibility Services
Every Laneway event features dedicated entry lanes at the main gates to ensure a smooth, comfortable arrival:
- Accessible Entry Lane: Designed with widened pathways for patrons with physical or non-visible disabilities, mobility aids, or wheelchair access needs.
- Assistance Entry Lane: A streamlined lane for patrons who are bringing approved personal items (such as medication or medically required food), need extra time passing through entry, or would like to speak directly with a Laneway Helper, but do not require a widened mobility lane.
Our Laneway Helpers are on site to assist you throughout the day. Laneway Helpers are easily recognisable, friendly, and disability-aware trained staff who are equipped with full site knowledge.
Whether you need directions to an accessible viewing deck, assistance finding a low sensory space, info on accessible toilets, or general help navigating the festival, they have you covered.You will find Laneway Helpers across all venues in three ways:
Stationary Info Hubs: Dedicated, clearly signposted info hubs where you can drop in for assistance at any point during the event.
Accessible Viewing Platforms: Dedicated helpers stationed at viewing platforms to assist with access, seating, and support during sets.
Roving Helpers: Mobile helper teams moving throughout key site areas, stage boundaries, and major pathways who can answer questions on the spot.
If you ever feel unsure, overwhelmed, or just need a hand, keep an eye out for Stationary Info Hubs, Accessible Viewing Platforms or Roving Helpers. They are there to make your day run smoothly.
We provide elevated Accessible Viewing Decks at stages for patrons with disability (including non-visible disability) and their companions.
- Designed to provide clearer stage sightlines and adequate space for mobility aid users away from dense crowd areas.
- If a viewing deck reaches capacity, priority access will be given to wheelchair and mobility-aid users.
- Deck space is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. If a deck reaches full capacity, event staff will implement a one-in, one-out policy, prioritising wheelchair and mobility-aid users.
- Viewing decks are located in active festival areas and are not low sensory environments.
- Final viewing deck layouts, exact site positions, and capacity details for each stage will be confirmed closer to the event and clearly marked on the patron maps.
In addition to our elevated viewing decks, we provide dedicated ground-level Accessible Seating Viewing Areas located near or directly in front of the elevated viewing platforms at key stages.
- This space is specifically designed for patrons with a disability, access requirement, or ongoing health condition that makes standing for extended periods difficult, and who require a safe, dedicated space to sit with sightlines to the stage.
- This area is situated on grass terrain, is non-elevated (ground-level), and is safely enclosed behind temporary fencing to keep the space protected from main crowd flows.
- A limited amount of general seating is available in this area on a first-come, first-served basis, and patrons using personal mobility aids or approved compact personal seating are welcome to set up here.
- To ensure there is adequate space for patrons with access needs, companion access may be limited during peak set times if the area reaches high capacity.
Dedicated accessible toilets are located across all festival sites. Locations will be confirmed closer to the event and clearly marked on the patron map.
We recognise that large music festivals can be intense or overwhelming, and we are committed to providing spaces where you can reset. Every venue features dedicated areas to take a break, decompress, or regulate:
- Low Sensory Space: Designed specifically for patrons experiencing sensory overload or overstimulation who need a low-stimulus environment to self-regulate and decompress. This is a quiet, low-lit space where noise and social interaction are kept to a minimum.
- Chill Out Space: A relaxed area designed for patrons seeking a break from the main crowd energy and high-volume stage areas. Located within shared festival spaces, this area offers a lower-intensity environment where low-volume talking, socialising, and resting can still occur.Both spaces are open to any patron who needs them.
No pre-registration or prior approval is required. Simply make your way to the space when you need it.
Note: Sensory and chill-out spaces are non-medical. Dedicated Medical Tents are located separately across all sites and marked on the patron map.
We welcome and recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard. Wearing a lanyard helps our entry staff, security, Laneway Helpers, and Crowd Care teams identify that you may need additional time, clearer information, or extra support on site.
Laneway Festival welcomes accredited assistance animals and guide dogs to all festival sites.We recognise the vital role assistance animals play in supporting their handlers, and we want to ensure both you and your working animal have a safe and comfortable day:
- Entry & Access: Assistance animals are permitted in all public areas of the festival, including Accessible Entry Lanes, Viewing Decks, Low Sensory and Chill Out Spaces.
- Festival Environment: Please consider the physical environment before bringing your assistance animal. Festival sites are outdoor spaces with large crowds, high noise levels, flashing lights, heat, and varying terrain. We strongly recommend providing appropriate protective gear for your animal (such as ear protection or paw boots) where appropriate.
- Water & Comfort: Free drinking water is available across all sites. You are welcome to bring a water bowl and any necessary working equipment for your animal.
- Accreditation: Assistance animals and guide dogs must have their relevant accreditation or handler documentation and be wearing their official working jacket to gain entry. While you are welcome to enter through any entry gate, we strongly recommend using the Accessible or Assistance Entry Lanes for the smoothest process.
If you use an electric wheelchair, mobility scooter, or electronic medical device, power access will be available on site to keep your devices charged throughout the day.
The specific charging location for each venue will be confirmed closer to the event and clearly marked on the patron map.
Production Warning: Please be aware that main stage performances incorporate high-volume audio, intense visual projections, strobing lights, lasers, and atmospheric haze.
Ear Protection: Hearing protection is strongly recommended. Limited supply of free single-use earplugs are available.
Medical, Food & Dietary Provisions
You do not need to submit an Access Enquiry Form or seek prior approval to bring in your own medical supplies, personal dietary food, or electrolyte products, provided you follow the guidelines below.
All bags and items will still undergo standard security searches at entry lanes.
Please only submit an enquiry if you are requesting an exception to our standard guidelines or a prohibited items rule (e.g. requesting to bring a metal water bottle for medical reasons).
You may bring necessary medication into the festival without prior written approval, provided:
- Prescription Medication: Remains in its original pharmacy packaging with the dispensary label clearly matching your photo ID. Please only bring the amount needed for the duration of the event.
- Emergency Medication: EpiPens, asthma inhalers, and diabetes management kits are permitted. We recommend entering via the Assistance Entry Lane.
- Cold Storage: If your medication requires temperature-controlled storage, please submit a request via our City-Specific Access Request Forms from November prior to the deadline so our team can prepare facilities.
- Over-the-Counter Medication: Basic personal medication (e.g. Panadol, Nurofen) is permitted if sealed in original packaging.
- Free Drinking Water: Refill stations are available across all sites. You are welcome to bring empty soft water bottles. (Metal water bottles are strictly prohibited for safety reasons unless pre-approved via the Access Request Form opening in November).
- No Outside Liquids: No drinkable liquids of any kind, sealed or unsealed, are permitted to be brought into the venue, including water, juice, soft drinks, alcohol, or pre-mixed beverages. All personal soft plastic water bottles must be completely empty upon entry.
- Electrolytes: Electrolyte powders, tablets, and sachets in their original packaging are permitted.
- Severe Allergies & Dietary Needs: Patrons with severe allergies or medically required diets may bring small amounts of food and snacks for personal use without prior approval. Commercially packaged items, or homemade items in clear plastic containers or cling wrap, are preferred to help entry staff clear your items quickly. (Glass containers, metal cutlery, eskies, and hard-sided coolers are strictly not permitted).
- Food Vendors: A variety of food options (including GF, DF, vegan, and vegetarian options) will be available in each city. Detailed vendor lists will be shared closer to the event date.
Personal Seating: If seating helps you manage your day due to a medical condition or disability, you are permitted to bring compact, low-lying, backless chairs or seating aids (such as tripod cane seats).
Guidelines: Security and Laneway Helpers can assist in directing you to safe locations away from main crowd thoroughfares where personal seats can be used safely.
For detailed information on the services available at your festival location, including distances and terrain details to help you navigate the site with ease, you can request a city-specific Accessibility Information Guide.
To receive the guide, please complete the Access Request Form for your ticketed city once forms open in November.
Information Guides will be sent to your provided email address approximately two weeks prior to the event date.
Next Steps & How to Contact Us
If you have reviewed the information above and need additional details not covered here to assist with your purchasing decision, please reach out to our team by completing our Access Enquiry Form.
For those who have purchased tickets, our city-specific access form opens in November and follow these steps:
1) City-Specific Access Request Forms Open (November): If you have purchased a ticket and wish to request specific access support for your day at Laneway (such as Accessible Viewing Deck access, medication cold storage, accessible parking, or tailored support), our dedicated city-specific access request forms will open in November.
2) Processing & Response Times: Our Access Team processes all submissions on a rolling basis. Please note that it may take up to 72 hours to receive a response, particularly during high-volume periods.
3) Accessibility Information Guide: Approximately two weeks prior to your event date, registered patrons will receive a direct, city-specific Accessibility Information Guide containing final detailed patron maps, entry procedures, viewing deck details, and amenity locations.
4) Submission Deadline: To ensure we can accommodate your needs (such as medication cold storage or specific access considerations), please ensure your request is submitted at least two weeks prior to your event date:
- Sydney: 29 January 2027
- Brisbane: 31 January 2027
- Melbourne: 5 Febuary 2027
- Auckland: 7 Febuary 2027