Inclusion the main act at Ability Fest

Published date: 10 Apr 2026

The Victorian Government is supporting Australia's first all-accessible music festival which returns this weekend featuring a line-up of renowned acts.

Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll today joined Ability Fest founder Dylan Alcott AO and TAC CEO Tracey Slatter ahead of the festival, which kicks off tomorrow.

More than 20 of Australia's biggest electronic music acts will take the stage at the Timber Yard in Port Melbourne.

The Labor Government has provided $650,000 in support for Ability Fest through the Community Support Fund and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

The TAC is also sponsoring the tactile silent disco, which uses haptic vests or straps to create an inclusive experience for people with hearing impairments.

Now in its seventh year, Ability Fest is one of Australia’s leading all-inclusive events.

As a fully accessible and inclusive festival, the event features elevated viewing platforms, quiet zones, sensory areas, Auslan interpreters, live captioning, accessible bathrooms and BindiMap navigation technology.

Companion tickets are available free of charge for carers and there is a designated assistance dog area.

This year's full-electronic line-up features artists performing across two stages including PNAU, Logic1000, Ollie Leishman, Kito, Brent Honey and daine, among many others.

Find out more information on the festival and ticketing details on the Ability Fest website.

Quote attributable to TAC CEO Tracey Slatter

“Road trauma can have lifelong impacts, which is why creating inclusive, welcoming spaces like Ability Fest is so important, helping people stay connected, engaged and part of the community.”

Quote attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll

“Ability Fest is setting the standard for what inclusive events should look like – accessibility should be built into events from the ground up.”

Quotes attributable to Ability Fest founder Dylan Alcott AO

"Having the Victorian Government and the TAC in our corner is massive, and we are very grateful at the Dylan Alcott Foundation. Accessible events aren't a niche, they're a necessity, and this support keeps Ability Fest within reach for everyone in our community, disability or not, to come together and enjoy live music in our awesome state”

“We are also pumped that the TAC is supporting Ability Fest's silent disco again this year. A highlight is the vibrating haptic vests on offer so festival goers can feel the music even if they can’t hear it. Everyone deserves to attend major events, and we are very proud to show the industry what an accessible and disability inclusive event looks like, so they can do some of, if not all of the things at their next event too.”

From left: TAC Client Emily Quattrocchi, Nina Taylor MP, Deputy Premier Hon Ben Carroll, TAC CEO Tracey Slatter, Dylan Alcott AO

Download Hi-ResFrom left: TAC Client Emily Quattrocchi, Nina Taylor MP, Deputy Premier Hon Ben Carroll, TAC CEO Tracey Slatter, Dylan Alcott AO