Burqa-wearing visitors to Parliament House will only be allowed to view proceedings from enclosed galleries usually reserved for noisy school children.
The Department of Parliamentary Services made the decision during a review of security policies at the seat of government.
People with facial coverings who want to watch the House of Representatives or Senate chambers will be seated in the enclosed galleries, the department said in a briefing released on Thursday.
Security worries are being cited as the reason for the restriction.
The enclosed galleries are one floor higher than the regular public galleries and have soundproof glass.
"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the chamber galleries without needing to be identifiable," the department stated.
The move comes after Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate President Stephen Parry sought advice from security agencies about screening policies in relation to garments that hide identity.
Debate about the burqa has heated up over the past week with several politician, including Liberals Cory Bernardi and George Christensen and Palmer United Party senator Jacqui Lambie calling for it to be banned from Parliament House.
Senator Bernardi says the Islamic religious attire is "identity-concealing garb" and should be banned on security grounds, along with balaclavas and motorbike helmets.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Wednesday he found burqas confronting and wished they weren't worn.
DPS has also tightened security on visitor passes for secure areas of parliament.
A full review of Parliament House pass policy is being undertaken.
Share
