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Ticketing terms & conditions

T&Cs

1. Application of these terms and conditions

The sale of tickets for an Event and attendance at an Event are subject to these Terms and Conditions of Sale and any additional terms and conditions notified at the time of ticket sale. Such terms apply to both the original purchaser / ticketholder and any subsequent ticketholder, and you agree to those terms by acquiring an Event ticket and/or seeking to attend an Event. By purchasing a ticket on behalf of someone else, you undertake to inform them of those terms.  

Definitions:

'Sydney Writers’ Festival, the 'Company', 'we', 'our' and 'us' means Sydney Writers’ Festival.  

'You' means the person seeking to purchase or acquire a ticket to an Event, the person holding a ticket to an Event and the person seeking to attend an Event.  

'Event' means a show or performance arranged or presented by us or for which we sell tickets.  

'LPA Code' means the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice (Consumer Code and Industry Code) in effect at the time of ticket sale.

'Authorised ticket seller' means us or a person authorised by us to supply tickets to an Event.

These Terms and Conditions of Sale also apply to tickets issued by other authorised ticket sellers (if any). If an Event is presented by another company or held at another person's venue, tickets and attendance may also be subject to the other presenter/venue's terms and conditions.

These venues include, but are not limited to:

Carriageworks Arts Precinct 
Sydney Town Hall
Riverside Theatre Parramatta
The Concourse, Chatswood
City Recital Hall
Pavilion Performing Arts Centre, Sutherland
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith 
State Library of NSW
Sydney Opera House
NIDA

We are a member of Live Performance Australia. We issue tickets to Events and liaise with consumers in accordance with the LPA Code.

2. Ticket prices and delivery

Prices listed on this site are displayed in Australian dollars.

Concession prices are available for children under the age of 16, full-time students, Health Care Card holders, Seniors Card Holders and Pensioner Concession Card holders. Please have your eligible card with you at the venue.  

Any children aged two and under, who do not require a seat, can attend the event at no cost.  

A booking fee will apply to your ticket purchase. You will be notified of all applicable fees prior to purchase. The fee amount is dependent on the value of your cart. This fee is applied whether the order is via our website, or over the phone. This fee is not applied if you purchase a ticket in person at the Box Office at the Venue.

The Fee Range is as below:

Value of Cart                        Fee
$1 - $39.99                            $3
$40 - $49.99                         $4
$50 - $59.99                         $5
$60 - $69.99                         $6
$70 - $79.99                         $7
$80+                                          $7.50

When placing your order, you may request to collect tickets from the Festival Box Office, located onsite at the State Library of NSW. If this is not requested, you will receive your tickets via email 48 hours before the event. 

3. Admission to events

You must hold a valid ticket to attend an Event. We may refuse admission or remove any ticketholder from the venue in accordance with the LPA Code, including (but not limited to) where:

(a) you cannot produce a valid ticket for the Event;

(b) you produce a ticket that has been handled or dealt with in a way that is contrary to these Terms and Conditions of Sale or any additional terms and conditions notified at the time of ticket sale;

(c) you cannot produce proof of your concession entitlement where a concession ticket has been purchased;

(d) you have in your possession and/or refuse to surrender any prohibited object to event or venue staff;

(e) you refuse to be subject to a visual search of your possessions;

(f) you behave in a manner which causes or may cause property damage or that threatens or may threaten the safety of participants, authors, other consumers or any other persons, including as a result of intoxication;

(g) you behave in a manner that unreasonably interferes with other consumers’ enjoyment of the Event;

(h) you otherwise breach these Terms and Conditions of Sale or any additional terms and conditions notified at the time of ticket sale, or fail to follow the reasonable directions of the venue manager’s staff;

(i) you refuse to remain in the area or seat designated on your Ticket;

(j) you or any attendee in your group refuses to comply with venue safety requirements.

Latecomers will not be given access to the Event venue unless there is a suitable/convenient break in the Event. Seating may be relocated as a result of late entry.

4. Venue requirements

The use of recording equipment by you is prohibited.  

You must allow adequate time for collection of tickets on arrival at the venue and provide adequate proof of ticket purchase, if requested. We do not accept responsibility for any delays that may be encountered at the Box Office prior to an Event.  

To help ensure the safety and security of Events, your person, bags and personal belongings may be subject to a visual search.  

If at the time of the Event, either you or any other attendees of your group are feeling unwell or has symptoms of illness, you agree not to attend the Event.   

Umbrellas, prams, backpacks, larger bags and other items that may be hazardous or restrict the movement of visitors may not be permitted into the venue or may be required to be cloaked, depending on the nature of the Event.  

You are responsible for your personal possessions such as bags, mobile phones and other items you carry with you. It is your responsibility to collect any cloaked items after the Event. We do not accept Liability for any loss or damage to property with this service. Any items stored are at the sole risk of the owner of the property or the user of the cloakroom service. 

5. Changes

Event details may change sometimes with little or no notice. For example, writers or other participants may be added, withdrawn or substituted, or their mode of attendance adjusted, or the format of the event may change from a live, in-person event to a digital or hybrid format.

We may vary seating arrangements. Seat number and location, provided at time of purchase, is subject to change. If we need to allocate a different seat to you for operational reasons, including a change of venue, we will use reasonable endeavours to ensure it is in a location of comparable value (and/or accessibility requirements) to the seat number on your ticket.  

At times, during the course of selling tickets to an Event, we may release additional seats or additional dates for presentation of the Event. Such alterations do not affect the Terms and Conditions of Sale applying to tickets purchased before the release of additional seats or dates and do not entitle you to claim a refund for tickets purchased prior to the release of additional seats or dates.  

6. Resale restrictions

Sydney Writers’ Festivals and its associated venues are the only authorised ticket sellers for Events. If you purchase tickets from an unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, invalid or have previously been cancelled and that you may be refused admission to the relevant Event. We strongly recommend you only purchase tickets from an authorised ticket seller. You can contact our Box Office to confirm if a ticket seller is authorised.   

Tickets may not be resold or offered for resale, unless in accordance with the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) and the Australian Consumer Law. If a ticket is resold or offered for resale or used in breach of this condition, the ticket may be cancelled, and the ticket bearer may be refused entry.

7. Refunds and exchanges

At the Sydney Writers’ Festival we strive to provide excellent customer service and ensure a positive experience for all our patrons. To that end, we have established the following Ticket Refund Policy. Please carefully review the terms outlined below:  

a. General Refund Policy:  

  • We do not offer refunds unless required by applicable laws (including but not limited to the Australian Consumer Law and the LPA Code). We will consider other circumstances at our discretion in determining whether a refund will be granted. 

  • Refunds will only be issued to the original purchaser of the ticket.  

b. Event Cancellation:  

  • In the unlikely event of a cancellation, patrons will be notified promptly, and a full refund will be processed automatically.  

  • Refunds will be less any booking fees or charges unless required as per the LPA Code or Australian Consumer Law.  

  • If possible, we may offer the option to transfer the ticket value to a rescheduled date or apply it to a gift voucher to use for future events. 

c. Event Rescheduling:  

  • If an event is rescheduled, ticket holders will be informed about the new date and time.  

  • Patrons unable to attend the rescheduled event may request a refund. Refund requests must be submitted prior to the date of the rescheduled event.  

d. Event Postponement:  

  • In case of event postponement without a confirmed rescheduled date, tickets will remain valid for the new date.  

  • Patrons unable to attend the rescheduled event once announced may request a refund prior to the date of the rescheduled event.  

e. Event Disruption:  

  • In the case of an event disruption causing an event to end early, ticket holders will be refunded if where the disruption occurred less than two thirds of the way through the event. If two thirds of the event has taken place, no refunds will be provided.  

f. Refund Request Process:  

  • Refund requests must be submitted by emailing [email protected] or calling on 02 9256 4200.  

  • Provide the order number, the name of the event, and the reason for the refund request.  

  • Refund requests will be processed within three (3) business days.  

  • Where refunds are granted, they will be made to the card or account from which the original purchase was made. Refunds will be less any booking fees or charges unless we are otherwise required to refund these in accordance with the LPA Code or Australian Consumer Law.  

g. Refund Exceptions:  

  • No refunds will be issued for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed tickets.  

  • Refunds will not be provided for dissatisfaction with the event, artist performance, or any other subjective reasons.  

  • Refund requests must be submitted in accordance with the LPA Code. 

h. Account Credit:

  • Account credit previously has been provided to customers in lieu of a refund, gift voucher, or donation. As of 2026, account credits are no longer available.

  • Any customers that have credit on their account have until it is 12 months old to use it for any upcoming events. After this time, the credit expires.

  • Customers will receive notice of their expiry deadline to give them time to look at our upcoming events.

  • Expired credit is processed as a donation to Sydney Writers’ Festival and the customer receives a receipt for their Tax-Deductible donation.

  • In extenuating circumstances, credit will still be eligible for use by a customer if determined in the Ticketing and Customer Service Manager’s discretion.

i. Policy Amendments:  

  • Sydney Writers’ Festival reserves the right to amend this Ticket Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon publication to our website.  

j. Contact Information:  

If you have any questions or concerns about our Ticket Refund Policy, please contact us at [email protected] or 02 9256 4200. 

8. Ticket exchange

Customers may exchange their tickets from one event to another where certain conditions are met: 

  • The ticket exchange request is emailed through to [email protected] at least 48 hours before the new event and the current event or requested in person at the Box Office with the same timing guidelines; and, 

  • There must be a seat available in the new event for the customer; and, 

  • The event the customer is requesting to exchange from must not have already occurred; and,

  • If the new ticket price is greater than the original price, the customer pays the difference; or 

  • If the new ticket price is lower than the original price, the customer may receive the difference on a gift voucher (valid for 3 years) or donate the difference to the festival.  

9. Safe events clause

Sydney Writers’ Festival is committed to hosting events that are enjoyable. Your physical safety is paramount. This includes ensuring that attendees are free from harassment, discrimination and bullying. Harassment, bullying, threatening behaviour and violence will not be tolerated and if it occurs we reserve the right to revoke, without notice or refund, tickets, passes, credentials, or access to Sydney Writers' Festival events and venues. 

We take these types of incidents very seriously. If you witness, or have experienced, any forms of harassment, discrimination or bullying at a Sydney Writers’ Festival event, we invite you to report the incident to [email protected] and we will investigate. Reporting to Sydney Writers’ Festival does not replace reporting to local police if you think that the situation warrants that. Thank you for helping us to ensure our events are comfortable for our guests and our staff.    

10. Lost tickets

  • It is your responsibility to keep your tickets safe.

  • No refunds will be issued for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed tickets.

11. Liability

Our liability to you in relation to tickets is limited to the obligations specified in these Terms and Conditions of Sale and our obligations under applicable laws (including the Australian Consumer Law) and the LPA Code.  

The Australian Consumer Law provides certain statutory guarantees for consumers which cannot be excluded, for example that services will be provided with due care and skill. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions of Sale seeks to modify or exclude those statutory consumer rights and guarantees.  

Ticket holders enter Event venues at their own risk. To the maximum extent permitted by law (including the Australian Consumer Law), we will not be liable for any loss, damage, expense or injury to the extent arising from your wilful, reckless or negligent acts or omissions, any pre-existing medical condition, your breach of these Terms and Conditions, the cancellation of your tickets due to your breach of these Terms and Conditions, or your reliance on reviews and opinions about Events and Participants.  

You agree to compensate us for any damage, loss, liability or injury we may suffer as a result of your wilful, reckless or negligent acts or omissions at an Event venue.  

12. Photographs, recordings and privacy

We reserve the right to record, photograph, stream, broadcast and/or simulcast any Event and by attending the Festival and the Event covered by these Terms and Conditions of Sale, you consent to us doing so. You consent to the use of any image or recording taken of you, and anyone for whom you are responsible, while attending Festival premises, venues and Events, in whole or part, including in public, where that public place is reasonably adjacent to our Festival events, for use in all media now known or later devised. We are not obliged to provide or reproduce to you any such image or recording, or pay you any compensation for the use of any such images or recordings of you.  

Refer to our Privacy Policy for information about how we handle your personal information.  

Venues we utilise operate closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance.  

13. No waiver 

Without limitation, we reserve the right to enforce these Terms and Conditions of Sale if:  

(a) you have purchased a ticket to an Event in contravention of these Terms and Conditions of Sale; or  

(b) we have not enforced our rights under these Terms and Conditions of Sale on a prior occasion.  

14. Amendments

We may amend these Terms and Conditions of Sale by updating them on our website. Any variations become effective upon their first publication on our website and apply to ticket purchases made after that time.  

We may also amend these Terms and Conditions of Sale as they apply to tickets which have already been sold, if those amendments are made to ensure that these Terms and Conditions of Sale reflect changes or developments in applicable laws or regulations, and any changes to the LPA Code. We will provide you with reasonable notice of such amendments.   

You should review these Terms and Conditions of Sale before seeking to purchase tickets for Events and before attending Events.  

15. Feedback

We value your feedback, both positive and negative. You can provide your comments by emailing us at [email protected].  

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Last updated June 2026