Companion Card Venues

Where can you use the card?

Companion Card programs work with participating organisations, often called affiliates. These may include arts, recreation, sporting and community venues. Participation needs to be checked for the particular activity you plan to attend. A familiar brand name or an old directory entry is not enough to establish arrangements for every event.

The official Victorian site publishes affiliate lists. WA provides a searchable affiliate directory and downloadable lists. Follow the current program page rather than relying on a copied list hosted by an unrelated website. Directory information can help you shortlist places, but the operator is best placed to confirm the booking details.

Official places to start

• Victoria: current affiliate information and lists
• Western Australia: searchable affiliate directory
• ACT: official guidance on venues and using the card
• Other states and territories: find your official program

Card acceptance is one check. Access is another.

A venue that participates in Companion Card may still have features that do not suit your needs. Consider the route and the activity itself, not just the entrance. A museum, for example, might have a step-free main building while an optional tour follows a different route. Temporary events can use layouts that differ from the venue’s usual setup.

• Arrival: where is the nearest usable transport stop, parking space or drop-off point?
• Route: are surfaces, gradients, doorways and lifts suitable for your needs and equipment?
• Facilities: where are toilets, rest areas and any specific facilities you require?
• Experience: are captions, hearing systems, audio description or quiet sessions available for that activity?
• Support: can your companion be with you where you need assistance?
• Changes: is there a plan for closures, bad weather or an unavailable lift?

A short message you can adapt

“I am planning to attend [activity] on [date] and hold a Companion Card. Do you accept it for this session, and how should I book the companion ticket? I also need [specific access features]. Could you confirm these arrangements and tell me who to contact on the day?”

You do not need to tell the venue your complete medical history to ask about a doorway, ticket or seating position. Start with the practical information needed to arrange the visit. If further information is requested, ask what it is needed for and use the official booking channel.

Compare the answer with your priorities

Make a short list of essential features and a separate list of preferences. If a key answer remains unclear, ask for a photograph, dimensions or a call with someone familiar with the space. For a complex visit, a pre-visit discussion or quiet familiarisation visit may be worth requesting. Availability will depend on the operator.

Keep the confirmation with your tickets and review it if the date, session or venue changes. Our venue accessibility checklist gives you a broader set of questions. The using your card guide covers booking and arrival.

For venue operators

If you operate a venue and want to participate, contact the official Companion Card program in your state or territory. It can explain affiliation and program terms. Accessible Australia does not enrol affiliates, license the Companion Card logo or certify a venue’s accessibility.

Sources and further reading

• Victoria: where the card is accepted
• WA: official affiliate directory
• ACT: venue and activity accessibility

Official source pages checked on 7 October 2026. Programs and booking arrangements can change. Use the linked official service for current rules and individual enquiries.