SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITY

Since the early beginnings of the show, PAX has been proactive about creating and implementing policies that ensure a safe and fun environment for attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and Enforcers alike. Many of you have seen the condensed “Six Rules of PAX” circulated each and every show, but this page is dedicated to explaining each of them in their intent and use as well as our other safety and security policies, including our Booth Babe Policy, our Weapons Check policy, and our policies specific to the Expo Hall.

If at any point you feel unsafe at PAX or that any of the rules have been broken, we ask that you inform an Enforcer or member of PAX staff immediately. Your safety is our primary concern, and if you feel that safety has been compromised, we will do everything in our power to rectify the issue. Issues of violence and harassment are addressed immediately, with guarded “Safe Areas” being designated in case any incidents do arise.

If you feel any concerns about your safety prior to the show, please email us at [email protected].

Policy Overview
    Illegal substances will not be tolerated at PAX. If you are caught buying, using or dealing illegal drugs while at the show, remediation steps will be taken. If you are under     the influence of legal drugs and are in any way interfering with other attendees and their ability to enjoy PAX, we reserve the right to escort you from the premises with     potentially even more severe remediation consequences.

Policy Overview
    Theft will not be tolerated at PAX. If you are caught stealing directly from another individual or taking items from any private or public areas of PAX that are not     expressly indicated to be free, remediation steps will be taken.

Policy Overview
    Violence will not be tolerated at PAX. PAX adheres to the firm conviction that every person is entitled to an expectation of health and safety and will take action to make     that expectation a reality. Violating that expectation of safety through violence or threats of violence perpetrated against another person is explicitly prohibited and     will result in removal and remediation.

Policy Overview
    Cheating will not be tolerated at PAX. Everyone is expected to abide by all rules and regulations when gaming or competing with each other.

Policy Overview
    Any form of harassment, whether that’s based on gender identity/expression, race, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or religion, will not be tolerated at     PAX. If you are caught or reported to have harassed anyone at PAX, you will go through our reporting process and face remediation steps.

Policy Overview
             It is understood that all attendees will be able to operate in a state of comfort and privacy without intrusion or disturbance, and that their personal belongings will not     be altered or disturbed. If anyone’s belongings are found to have been disturbed or restricted, remediation will take place.

PAX Aus values diverse community representation across all aspects of the event. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

• Welcome to Country: PAX Aus honors and acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land by presenting a Welcome to Country ceremony with First Nation Elders. This takes place on Friday morning to open the event, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Australia.

• Pronoun Stickers: There is a dedicated space on your PAX badge to proudly present your pronouns. Pronoun stickers are available in our PAX Together room on level 2 and at the Info Desk, allowing attendees to express their identity comfortably.

• Gender Neutral Bathrooms: PAX Aus has designated specific restrooms around the MCEC that are gender-neutral, providing inclusive and safe spaces for everyone. These locations are marked on the World Map and in the PAX Aus app
  

Explore the dedicated community spaces at PAX Aus designed to foster connection, creativity, and inclusion.

• Kirrip Wilam: Kirrip Wilam, meaning "Friend Home" in Woi Wurrung, is a community space celebrating First Nation creatives, games, and community. This space is a cultural hub where attendees can engage with and learn from Indigenous perspectives in gaming.
• AFK Room: Need a break from the bustling show floor? The AFK Room, meaning "Away from Keyboard," is a low-sensory, relaxing space where you can recharge. Our enforcer team help maintain a calm atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to regain your calm.
• PAX Together: PAX Together is a curated selection of games and groups celebrating diversity within the gaming community. It highlights perspectives and experiences from marginalised or minority groups, offering a platform for underrepresented voices in gaming. This is also a great place for you to collect your pronoun sticker.

PAX Aus is committed to making the event accessible to all attendees by providing various support services and facilities.

• Lifts: The MCEC offers elevator access at the Clarendon Street entrance and in the Convention Centre, ensuring mobility for individuals who may require them.
• Medical Badge: Medical badges are available from the info booth located at the Clarendon Street entrance for those needing assistance, granting accessible seating to panels, provided lines are not at capacity. A medical badge is not an entry badge in itself and must be obtained alongside a purchased badge.
• Companion Pass: Companion Passes are also available from the info booth located at the clarendon street entrance, allowing a carer to attend for free when accompanying a ticketed attendee requiring their care. The badge given to the companion will be identical to the purchased badge of the attendee.
• Express Medical Queue: For those who need help navigating crowded spaces, PAX offers a medical queue within queue hall for medical badge holder, allowing you to experience the event with ease. For those with sensory requirements you can access the event through door 4 once the show has opened.
• Accessibility Animals: PAX Aus welcomes the use of support animals at the event. Support animals are permitted in all public areas of the venue to assist those who need them. Please ensure your support animal is clearly identifiable to ensure the safety of you and the companion animal. Of course like all our attendees the furry ones need follow the 6 rules of PAX as well.
• Hearing Loops: For attendees with hearing aids, PAX offers programmed receivers that work with T Switch-enabled hearing aids. These receivers can be collected from the MCEC concierge desk and must be returned daily. Please contact the MCEC for further information on this service.
• Pram Parking: Prams are not permitted in the Expo Hall, but complimentary pram parking is available in convention centre press room next to the MCEC service desk from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm daily.
• Cloak Room: Need assistance storing items while you enjoy PAX? Cloaking services are available at the Clarendon Street entrance and the MCEC venue service desk near DFO with a donation to Black Dog Institute charity.
• Water Stations & Sustainability: PAX Aus is committed to sustainability and offers free water bottle refills at water stations around the venue and on the concourse. Stay hydrated and help reduce waste by using these facilities.

PAX Aus strives to create and maintain an environment where all people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. As such, we expect every PAX Aus participant to behave appropriately throughout the event in accordance to our rules.

Please be aware of and respect the personal boundaries of your fellow participants so that everyone can enjoy their time at the event.

We have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind.

This includes, but is not limited to: stalking; intimidation; offensive verbal comments; physical assault and/or battery; threats; harassing or non-consensual photography or recording; sustained disruption of presentations and other events; bathroom policing; inappropriate physical contact; unwelcome physical attention; sexually explicit, suggestive and/or provocative behaviour, signage or clothing; hate symbols; in relation to, but not limited to: race; colour; national origin; gender; gender identity; gender presentation; sexual orientation; marital status; age; body size; disability; appearance; religion; citizenship; pregnancy.

By participating in the event in any way, each participant agrees and acknowledges that they will not, and will not directly or indirectly cause others to, do any of the following prohibited activities in connection with the event:

1.     interfere with, damage, or engage in any act which disrupts the operation of the event in any way, including but not limited to, obstructing aisles or entrances or exits,  using foul language, screaming, yelling, encouraging disruptive behaviour from others, disobeying any time limits, directions or prohibitions provided to participant by management’s staff and/or moderators, or preventing any other participant from Participating in the event by any means;

2.     distribute, wear, transmit, upload, display or otherwise circulate any content which is inaccurate, unlawful, infringing, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, harassing, threatening, abusive, inflammatory, or otherwise objectionable to management in management’s sole discretion;

3.     defame, harass, abuse, threaten or defraud other participants in the event.

If someone’s behaviour has made you uncomfortable, if you witness harassment happening to someone else, or if you witness someone doing prohibited activities, you should immediately proceed to the Info Desk near the Clarendon Street entrance of the MCEC or contact the nearest event staff/security. For more details, click here. 

The safety and security of our staff, exhibitors and attendees is our priority. We work closely with the venue, corporate security, state, local and federal law enforcement authorities to identify risks, assess them and develop security plans for our events.

We have established a security room at our shows to ensure effective communication and response.

Everyone attending the Show should be aware of the following security measures:

• Security will be onsite at all times to assist you during all aspects of the Show
• Everyone must wear their Show badge at all times. This includes exhibitors, vendors, attendees, guests (speakers, talent, artists), professionals, press, staff, and crew.
• A fully operational security team following our vetted procedures is in place at the Show
• Bag checks may occur at the Show
• Walkthrough or hand held scanners may be used at the Show
• Any CCTV in operation at the Show is monitored and recorded
• Uniformed and undercover security may be in attendance at the Show
• Uniformed and undercover Police may be in attendance at the Show
• Canine Security and Detection may be used in or around the Show

Everyone attending is requested to:

• Keep personal property with you at all times and do not leave any items unattended
• If you see something, say something.  Report anything that looks unusual, suspicious, or out of place to Show staff or security immediately
• Remain patient and courteous during security checks and follow the instructions of Show staff and security at all times
• Properly dispose of your Show badge inside the venue or keep it as a souvenir – please do not sell it to scalpers or throw it away in trash cans outside the venue where it could be picked up
• Carry a valid form of photo ID at all times

PAX has a strict ‘no booth babe’ policy with the purpose of creating an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and welcome, and the focus is on games, not hired booth staff.

Booth babes are defined as staff of ANY gender used by exhibitors to promote their products at PAX by using overtly sexual or suggestive methods. Partial nudity, the aggressive display of cleavage and the navel, and shorts/skirts higher than 4” above the knee are not allowed. If for any reason an exhibit and/or its contents are deemed objectionable to PAX management, the exhibitor will be asked to alter the attire of its staff.

Cosplayed characters that are playable in-game are an exception to this rule (within reason), and exhibitors must obtain permission from show management prior to the show.

If for any reason an exhibit and/or its contents are deemed objectionable to PAX management, the exhibitor will be asked to alter the attire of its staff or remove those staff from the show.

Cosplaying attendees may be asked to alter or modify their costume if it is considered overtly sexual.

For safety reasons, the following are not allowed to be used specifically inside the expo hall:

• Strollers (they may be carried)
• Stilts
• Remote controlled vehicles
• Rollerskates, rollerblades, and other forms of recreational wheeled transport
• Given the crowd density, situations that require mass egress would be restricted by these devices.

Stopping in Expo Hall aisles for cosplay photos is not permitted.

No functional props or weapons are allowed at PAX. Simulated or costume weapons are allowed as a part of your costume, subject to prior approval by convention staff (Enforcers) and compliance with the following rules:

• All costume props and weapons must be inspected and will be "peace bonded" by an Enforcer at the Information booth.
• Live firearms including airsoft, either functioning or de-commissioned, are not permitted.
• Replica firearms made from metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber are not permitted.
• All firearm costume props and weapons must be rendered inoperable and are required to have an orange safety tip at all times.
• Any bow-type weapons must be unstrung or strung with a low-tensile thread. All prop arrows must have soft, non-metal, blunted tips made out of foam or cardboard only.
• Metal swords, knives & spears are not permitted. Any sharp implements are likewise not permitted (to include needles, syringes, ceramic blades).
• Stilts and costumes which include stilts may be prohibited from certain convention areas. Be aware that you may be asked to remove them.
• Costume weapons are for fun! Enjoy your costume, but do not strike, swing at or brandish weapons at other attendees.

MORE INFO / FAQ

What is peace bonding?
"Peace bonding" allows convention staff and Enforcers to tell at a glance that your costume weaponry meets show expectations. Peace bonding is accomplished by attaching one or more colored zip-tie's to your cosplay weapon(s). We attempt to attach these in a way which will allow you to take pictures etc. without them subtracting from your costume/cosplay. Feel free to work with the Enforcers to peace bond your weaponry in a way that you are happy with!

I will be at the show multiple days. Do I need to get my weapon peace bonded multiple times?
Once your weapon is peace bonded you are all set for the rest of the show!

What about NERF guns?
NERF weapon are allowed if they have been rendered completely inoperable. Convention staff/Enforcers are the final arbiter of whether or not a weapon is inoperable, so please be ready to clearly show and explain what measures you have taken. Make sure to include an orange safety tip!

Look! I covered my metal sword in electrical tape! Is it OK now?
No. Altering or attempting to alter your metal, bladed or otherwise prohibited weapon will not make it acceptable.