Tourists have been warned not to expect to get into Parliament House during the visit of the US President, Barack Obama, next week.

Mr Obama will arrive in Australia on November 16 and has accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, to address Parliament the following day.

But the security arrangements are so stringent the public will not be allowed into Parliament House on the day of his address, leaving people with few opportunities to see the President.

''Planning for the proposed visit is still at an early stage,'' a government source told The Sun-Herald.

''But based on past experience, it will be unlikely that non-pass-holders will be able to secure seats to view the President. The galleries are likely to be reserved for the official guests.''

Parliament House is usually closed to the public only on Christmas Day.

When other heads of state visit, tourists are still allowed into the public areas of the building.

But a visit by the President of the US is unique in many ways.

It would be ''highly unlikely'' tourists would be allowed into Parliament House at all, the government source said.

The closure of the building will stymie anti-carbon tax protesters, who had planned to take their message to Canberra during Mr Obama's visit.

Secret Service agents have already completed one check of the building.

Even the entrance the President uses is under consideration.

When the Queen visited last month, for example, she was greeted at the front door.

But because it has a relatively open aspect Mr Obama might, instead, be driven into the Prime Minister's courtyard, which is more secure.

The two-day visit is a case of third time lucky for Mr Obama, who was forced to abort plans for trips on two previous occasions. He will arrive in Canberra on Wednesday and stay for one night.

MPs have been told to keep the evening free for an official reception.

After his address, Mr Obama will leave for Darwin, where he will make a brief stop on his way to the East Asia Summit in Indonesia.

Mr Obama's visit is timed to mark the 60th anniversary of the ANZUS defence treaty.

''We both made great sacrifices in Darwin and in its harbour,'' the US ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich, said last week.

''I know the President wants to honour that memory.''

Public locked out when Obama comes to town