Breastfeeding in Public in Australia: Your Rights and Where to Find Private Feeding Rooms

Breastfeeding in public in Australia is your legal right. Full stop. Not a privilege. Not something you do at the discretion of a cafe owner, a shopping centre manager, or a fellow passenger who finds it uncomfortable. A legal right. In every public place you are legally allowed to be. This applies to pumping as well.

The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 makes it illegal to treat someone unfairly because they are breastfeeding¹. But sometimes (particularly in the early days of establishing breastfeeding), you may not feel comfortable breastfeeding in public. Or your little one may develop FOMO and need a dark, quiet place for there to be any chance of them feeding. But you don’t need to rush back home or head to the car to feed your baby if you’re out. Pram About Town can help you locate spaces where you can comfortably, quietly, and privately feed your little one.

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Breastfeeding Rooms and Private Places To Feed In Australia

You may be surprised at the number of venues that have dedicated feeding rooms - and they’re actually really nice! Most shopping centres will have parents' rooms with private cubicles scattered across the centre. Baby Bunting and the Memo have fantastic facilities within their stores. Most family-focused venues such as zoos, museums, and libraries have dedicated rooms too. Airports across Australia have dedicated rooms which are great to use before and after a flight. BUT - you need to know where to find them! And that’s where Pram About Town comes in.

Some of our favourite venues:

Baby Bunting Highpoint

Melbourne Airport T1 & T3

Melbourne Museum - Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery

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A note to venues: breastfeeding in public and the law

If you own or manage a cafe, restaurant, pub, attraction, or any public space where families visit, please know the laws surrounding breastfeeding in public places. Please brief your staff and ensure that no one is ever asked to stop, cover up, or move when breastfeeding or expressing. If you have a venue with a parents’ room, please get in touch with us to have your venue listed and verified - this is exactly what our community is searching for.

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Breastfeeding in public in Australia: your questions answered

Is it legal to breastfeed in public in Australia?

Yes. The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 makes it unlawful to treat someone unfairly because they are breastfeeding, and states and territories have their own anti-discrimination laws too. For the detail, see the Australian Breastfeeding Association's page on breastfeeding and the law (linked below).

Can I pump in public in Australia?

You have the right to pump wherever you are. If you would rather have privacy, many parents' rooms have private cubicles with chairs and power points. For how the law applies to expressing, check the ABA's page on breastfeeding and the law.

Where can I find a private place to breastfeed?

Shopping centres, airports, zoos, museums, libraries and stores like Baby Bunting and The Memo often have dedicated feeding rooms. Pram About Town maps these venues so you can find a feeding room before you need one.

You have the right to breastfeed your baby wherever you are. You have the right to pump wherever you are. If you want to find venues with comfortable chairs, curtains, private cubicles, microwaves, and change tables (for when that gastrocolic reflex kicks in), let Pram About Town help.

Join the waitlist →

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References & Resources

1. Australian Breastfeeding Association. (2026). Breastfeeding and the law. breastfeeding.asn.au

Australian Breastfeeding Association: helpline, resources and breastfeeding support. National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800 686 268

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Pram About Town maps family-friendly venues across Australia with confirmed details on change tables, feeding rooms, microwaves, pram access and more. Find your next stop before you need it.