Program Preview

Tuesday 24 november

9am	Welcome to Ageing Australia National Conference 2026 Three days of ideas, insights and connections begin with a look at the opportunities ahead for the ageing sector.
9.20am	Official Opening Mick Reid AM, Chair, Ageing Australia
9.25am	Opening Keynote: The New Longevity Landscape Longer lives are reshaping how we think about health, work, care, technology and the way we live. Explore what longevity means for the sector and for the generations to come.
10.05am	Aged Care: Where to From Here? Where is aged care heading next? A candid look at the sector today and the opportunities and challenges ahead.
10.35am	Morning Tea & Trade Exhibition Experience
11.25am	The Changing Landscape of Ageing A forward-looking conversation about the opportunities emerging across the wider ageing sector and what they mean for organisations and older Australians.
11.55am	Together We Can: One Sector, Shared Purpose Different perspectives, shared purpose. Hear from across the ageing ecosystem as the panel explores what can be achieved when experience, expertise and ideas come together.
12.45pm	Lunch & Trade Exhibition Experience
2.15pm	Concurrent Sessions Explore practical ideas and insights across care and service delivery, workforce, technology, financial sustainability, governance, quality, clinical practice and models of care.
3.45pm	Afternoon Tea & Trade Exhibition Experience
4.30pm	International Perspectives: Ageing Well Around the World Look beyond Australia to discover ideas, approaches and lessons from around the world.
5.20pm	Welcome Reception Connect with colleagues, speakers and exhibitors as the conference gets underway.

Wednesday 25 November

9am	Welcome to Day Two
9.10am	Together We Can: The Future We Build Together Tom Symondson will look at the opportunities ahead for aged care and the wider ageing sector, and what we can achieve when we come together with shared purpose and ambition.
9.45am	Quality, Safety and What Comes Next What does quality look like in practice? Explore the priorities, expectations and opportunities shaping quality and safety. Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
10.05am	Aged Care Policy and Practice: What Comes Next A look at the policy environment and what it means for organisations delivering care and support. Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
10.30am	Morning Tea & Trade Exhibition Experience
11.15am	Concurrent Sessions Practical ideas and insights across workforce, technology, financial sustainability, governance, quality, care delivery and the experiences of older Australians.
12.45pm	Lunch & Trade Exhibition Experience
2.15pm	Concurrent Sessions Hear from people tackling the big issues and delivering practical approaches across the sector.
3.15pm	Afternoon Tea & Trade Exhibition Experience
4.05pm	Navigating Complexity in a Changing Sector How are organisations responding to uncertainty, competing priorities and a rapidly evolving environment? Explore practical approaches and lessons from across the sector.
4.30pm	Keynote: Leading with Purpose A thought-provoking exploration of what drives great organisations, strong teams and better experiences for the people they serve.
5pm	Networking Hour Make new connections, catch up with colleagues and continue the conversation.
6.30pm	Optional Networking Dinner Cruise Step aboard for an unforgettable evening on Sydney Harbour as we continue the conversation beyond the conference.

Thursday 26 november

9am	Welcome to Day Three
9.05am	International Keynote: Global Perspectives on Ageing Well Fresh international thinking on longevity, ageing and the opportunities emerging around the world.
9.35am	Fireside Chat: Leading the Next Chapter of Aged Care An open conversation about the future direction of aged care, the opportunities ahead and what the sector can achieve together.
10.05am	Building the Workforce and Organisations We Need Exploring the people, skills, culture and capabilities needed to deliver great care and sustainable services into the future.
10.30am	Morning Tea & Trade Exhibition Experience
11.20am	Concurrent Sessions Explore practical ideas across the issues shaping care, services and the broader ageing sector.
12.50pm	Lunch & Trade Exhibition Experience
2.20pm	The Future of Ageing: What We Can Build Together What could the future look like if we bring together the right ideas, technology, expertise and experience? A forward-looking exploration of what is possible.
2.50pm	Together We Can: From Ideas to Action Turning ideas into practical action. A conversation about the opportunities ahead and how the sector can build on what is already working.
3.20pm	Closing Keynote A powerful exploration of authenticity, resilience and the qualities that matter when navigating complexity and uncertainty.
4pm	Conference Reflections and Close Key takeaways, ideas and moments from three days together.
6.30pm	Conference Dinner - The Magic of Cinema An unforgettable night of entertainment, celebration and a little Hollywood magic.

Retirement Living 2030 Together we can: Reimagine retirement living

*This session will run concurrently with the main conference program on Thursday 26 November. Further details will be shared soon.

9am	Opening & Welcome
9.10am	Investing for 2030: Where Should We Invest? Explore the investment opportunities and priorities that will shape retirement living over the next decade.
9.30am	Planning for the Future: A National Perspective What is changing across the planning landscape and what does it mean for the development of retirement living?
9.50am	New Models for Housing, Support and Care Exploring new approaches to delivering housing, support and care for older Australians.
10.10am	Affordable Village Living How can the sector create attractive, sustainable and more affordable housing options?
10.35am	Morning Tea & Trade Exhibition Experience
11.20am	Rethinking Retirement Challenging traditional thinking about retirement and exploring new approaches to wellbeing, longevity and life after work.
11.50am	Health and Care Beyond the Traditional Model Exploring new approaches to health and care within retirement living.
12.20pm	Technology-Enabled Care How technology can support better care, connection and experiences for residents.
12.50pm	Lunch & Trade Exhibition Experience
2.20pm	Leading Through the Flames Building resilience and preparing organisations to navigate disruption, uncertainty and unexpected challenges.
2.40pm	Sector Benchmarking: Key Findings Insights and trends from the latest sector benchmarking data.
3.10pm	Close of Spotlight Sessions
3.20pm	Closing Keynote A powerful exploration of authenticity, resilience and the qualities that matter when navigating complexity and uncertainty.
4pm	Conference Reflections and Close Key takeaways, ideas and moments from three days together.
6.30pm	Conference Dinner - The Magic of Cinema An unforgettable night of entertainment, celebration and a little Hollywood magic.