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We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible and respectful environment for everyone who visits us. 

This page gives you information on the Victorian Archives Centre’s location, building and accessibility.

If you need additional support, contact us to discuss how we can best help you. 

We aim to remove barriers to participation in our events and services and welcome your feedback.


Location

You can find us at 99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne.


Parking

We have a free all-day carpark with 2 disabled parking bays. 

You can enter the carpark from Macaulay Road. 

There is also disabled street parking out the front of the building on Shiel Street – see street signs for time limits.


Public transport

The Victorian Archives Centre is accessible by train, tram and bus:
 

Train

1. Arden Station (most accessible)

  • 10 to 15-minute walk (500m) to the Victorian Archives Centre
  • Underground station on the Metro Tunnel line (Sunbury to Pakenham)
  • Has lifts and step-free access throughout

2. Macaulay Station

  • 10 to 15-minute walk (500m) to the Victorian Archives Centre
  • On the Upfield line
  • Smaller station

3. North Melbourne Station (major interchange)

  • 25 to 30-minute walk (1.2km) to the Victorian Archives Centre
  • Served by multiple metro lines:

- Craigieburn
- Upfield
- Werribee
- Williamstown

  • Step-free access available


Tram

Route 57 tram (between West Maribyrnong and Flinders Street Station) 

  • Stop 16 at Haines/Abbotsford streets (3 to 5-minutes)
  • Low-floor trams occasionally operate on this route, supporting accessible boarding at most stops


Bus

PTV bus 402 route (between Footscray Station and Carlton Gardens)

  • 1 to 2-minute walk (100m) to the Victorian Archives Centre
  • Stops at the corner of Shiel and Dryburgh streets


Arriving at the Victorian Archives Centre

There are 2 entrances to the Victorian Archives Centre. Both are wheelchair accessible. 

Shiel Street

This is our front entrance that leads straight to our reception area.

Macauley Road

This our carpark entrance.

Walk along the corridor to the lifts and take the lift to level 3. This will bring you to the reception area. 
 

back entrance of the building showing a walking path and glass doors with arrows on the side of the building that point the way
The carpark entrance of the Victorian Archives Centre.

 

Visiting the reading room

If you are visiting the reading room for research:

  1. Check out our Where to start page before your visit for information about searching and ordering records.
  2. Once at the Victorian Archives Centre, sign in at reception and obtain a pass to the reading room.

The reading room is a large open space with tables to view records, and computers.
 

a woman entering the reading room
The Victorian Archives Centre Reading Room.

 

Quiet spaces 

There is a sanctuary space within the reading room if you would like privacy while reading records or searching the collection.

The room has soothing colours, a desk, computer, couch and armchair. 

Some records can be upsetting. Having a private moment while reading records these records is one of the ways you can manage vicarious trauma. 

Learn more about what to do if you are upset by what you’re reading.
 

two people in a small quite room doing research
The Sanctuary Space.


 

Take a break in our break room

You are welcome to take a break from research or events in our break room near the main entrance. 

The space has comfortable seating and tables. 

You can bring your lunch with you.
 

two people talking in the break area
Break area for researchers.

 

Getting around the building

All public areas are accessible for wheelchairs and mobility aids. 

Our doors are automatic. If you’re entering from the carpark, the path to the lift is accessible. 

Our lift has tactile buttons and braille.


Accessible and all-gender toilets

You can find public toilets, including accessible and all-gender toilets, near reception. These are outside the reading room.


Guide dogs and assistance dogs

We welcome your assistance animals, including guide, hearing and other accredited assistance dogs. 

In line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, assistance animals are allowed in all public areas to support independence and participation. 

We ask that animals are appropriately trained, remain under your control at all times, and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour suitable for public spaces. 

Staff are available to help you and we are committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful experience for all visitors.


First Peoples history

We are committed to providing a culturally safe and respectful environment for First Peoples accessing records about their family and community histories. 

We recognise that archival records, particularly those created under past government policies, may contain culturally sensitive material which may cause distress. This can include outdated or offensive language, personal information, and references to people who have passed away. 

We encourage you to approach this material with care, and to consider accessing records with a support person or seeking assistance during your research. See our cultural sensitivity statement for more information.

Our dedicated Koorie Records Unit offers confidential, culturally-informed support and guidance for Aboriginal family history research. You can learn more about these services on our Koorie services webpage.


Online access

Our website was designed to meet accessibility standards. However, some of our catalogue pages and digitised records may be difficult for some screen readers to interpret. 

If you have any trouble accessing information from our website or have a suggestion to improve access, please contact us. 

Vision Australia can also provide information to users on text (screen) readers and assistive technologies.


Events and exhibitions

Events and exhibitions at the Victorian Archives Centre are fully accessible. 

Most events are held in the conference room, near reception. 

When attending an event, wait in reception for the doors to the conference room to open. 

If you require special seating arrangements, contact us before the event so we can arrange for your needs to be met.

Exhibitions are held in our Victorian Archives Centre Gallery just past the reception desk. You’re welcome to explore the space at your leisure. 
 

an audience watching an event followed by a photo of a man in a wheelchair holding a microphone in one hand and holding his other hand up high, followed by a photograph of a woman seated with a standing microphone near her
Photos of our 2025 Melbourne Design Week event, Beyond Barriers, about accessible design.


Archive tours

We host tours of the Victorian Archives Centre once a year as part of the Open House Melbourne Weekend. 

Tours are 45 minutes long. They include:

  • a short walk through the reading room
  • taking a lift down to the repository and back again
  • entering the archival repository through large airlock doors
  • a walk through the archival repository
  • a chance to see some public records along the way.

A minimum level of fitness is required to walk and stand for the full tour. 

The tour is wheelchair accessible. 

The lift may feel cramped if you are on a large tour. Please let your guide know if you prefer to take the lift on your own or use the stairs.
 

a group doing an archive tour
A tour group on Open House Weekend.


Contact us if you need help

If you require additional support, contact us by:

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples

Learn more