diff --git a/src/lib/list/selection-list.spec.ts b/src/lib/list/selection-list.spec.ts
index 86bab1bb0a7..7d5419cc162 100644
--- a/src/lib/list/selection-list.spec.ts
+++ b/src/lib/list/selection-list.spec.ts
@@ -431,6 +431,11 @@ describe('MatSelectionList without forms', () => {
 
       expect(item.selected).toBe(true);
     });
+
+    it('should set aria-multiselectable to true on the selection list element', () => {
+      expect(selectionList.nativeElement.getAttribute('aria-multiselectable')).toBe('true');
+    });
+
   });
 
   describe('with list option selected', () => {
diff --git a/src/lib/list/selection-list.ts b/src/lib/list/selection-list.ts
index 322e4c30c5b..dd282d10b64 100644
--- a/src/lib/list/selection-list.ts
+++ b/src/lib/list/selection-list.ts
@@ -264,6 +264,7 @@ export class MatListOption extends _MatListOptionMixinBase
     '(focus)': 'focus()',
     '(blur)': '_onTouched()',
     '(keydown)': '_keydown($event)',
+    'aria-multiselectable': 'true',
     '[attr.aria-disabled]': 'disabled.toString()',
   },
   template: '<ng-content></ng-content>',