2026 NSW/ACT State Conference Banner V2

Program overview


Aged Care Futures: People, Purpose and Progress 

The conference theme highlights where the sector is heading and what providers need to focus on next. You will gain insights into workforce, quality care and the innovations shaping tomorrow’s services.  

People

Centers on the workforce and empowering the next generation through strong career pathways and capability building. We will focus on attracting talent, growing skills and developing future leaders.

Purpose

Focuses on supporting aged care providers to deliver sustainable, high-quality services, ensuring safety and meaningful outcomes while adapting to funding changes and post-reform requirements.

Progress

Explore innovation, technology and new models of care, showing how providers can adapt, improve operations and remain resilient as the sector changes.

Program at a glance

Wednesday 12 August | Day 1 pre-event workshop 

9am - 5pm

Registration open

10am - 4pm

Workshop
More information coming soon

Program at a glance

Thursday 13 August (Conference and Trade Exhibition)

8am - 5pm

Registration & Arrival Tea and Coffee 

9am - 9.10am

Welcome and Opening of Conference  
Anne King, State Manager NSWACTAgeing Australia 

9.10am - 9.20am

Welcome to Country
Yvonne Weldon, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council 

9.20am - 9.50am

Ageing Australia CEO Address
Tom Symondson, CEO, Ageing Australia

9.50am - 10.10am

Ministerial Address 

The Hon Jodie Elizabeth Harrison, Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 

10.10am - 10.40am

The Future of Health and Ageing: Building Better Connections Across Care Systems 

Dr. Kerry Chant AO PSM, Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary – Population and Public Health, NSW Health 

10.40am  11.10am 

Morning Tea and Networking 

11.15am  11.35am 

Navigating the Next Phase of Aged Care Reform 

Elsy Brammesan, State Manager NSW/ACT, Department of Health and Aged Care 

11.35am – 12.20pm

Panel Discussion 

Aged Care 2030: What Providers Need to Prepare for Now 
Moderated by Tom SymondsonCEO, Ageing Australia 

Panellists coming soon 

New South Wales and the ACT are at the forefront of many of the demographic, workforce and service delivery challenges shaping the future of aged care. This panel will explore the trends likely to influence the sector over the next decade, including population growth, workforce supply, housing and retirement living, changing consumer expectations and technology adoption. Panellists will discuss what providers need to prioritise today to remain sustainable, responsive and future-ready by 2030. 

12.20pm – 12.50pm

Financial Sustainability Under Reform 

Stuart Hutcheon, Managing Partner, StewartBrown  

12.50pm – 1.50pm 

Lunch and Networking 

1.50pm - 3.25pm

Breakout session: Home care 

1.55pm – 2.25pm

Live Easy: A Different Kind of Home Care 

Richard de Haast, CEO, Scalabrini Villages

2.25pm – 2.55pm

The Essence of a Model of Care That Connects People, Purpose and Progress 
Sally Panagopoulos, Manager/Clinical Lead Clinical and Aged Care Services, The Benevolent Society
Emily Wailes, Manager, Quality and Safeguarding, The Benevolent Society 

2.55pm – 3.25pm

Design Before Decline: The Case for Showing Up Sooner 
Adam Woods, Director of Customer Experience, Communications and MarketingScalabrini Villages

1.50pm - 3.25pm

Breakout session: Residential care 

1.55pm – 2.25pm

Higher Everyday Living Fees: Provider Successes, Challenges and Lessons Learned 

Pride Aged Living 

2.25pm – 2.55pm

Better Buildings, No Extra Cost 

Nick Seemann, Managing Director, Constructive Dialogue Architects

2.55pm – 3.25pm 

What Do You Want to Do Today? Reimagining Daily Life in Residential Care 

Richard de Haast, CEO, Scalabrini Villages

3.25pm  3.55pm 

Afternoon Tea and Networking 

4pm – 4.40pm

Leading Through Complexity: Decision Making, Behaviour and Change in Times of Uncertainty 

4.40pm - 4.45pm

Day Wrap Up and Closing 
Anne King, State Manager NSWACTAgeing Australia 

6.30pm - 7pm

Pre-dinner drinks 

7pm - 11pm

Conference dinner sponsored by HESTA
Wrap up day one by joining fellow delegates at the conference dinner, an evening of great food, engaging company and entertainment

Program at a glance

Friday, 14 August (Conference and Trade Exhibition) 

8am - 5pm

Registration open

9am - 9.05am

Opening Remarks and Welcome Back  
Anne King, State Manager NSWACTAgeing Australia 

9.05am - 9.35am

The Future of Ageing 

9.35am - 10.15am

Panel Discussion 

Combatting racism in aged care  

Michael Wheites, NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association 

Giridharan Sivaraman, Race Discrimination Commissioner 

More panellist coming soon 

Racism continues to impact the experiences of both older people and the aged care workforce, affecting inclusion, wellbeing and quality of care. This panel will explore the realities of racism in aged care, the barriers it creates for consumers and staff, and the practical actions organisations can take to foster more inclusive, culturally safe and respectful environments. Panellists will share perspectives on leadership, workforce culture, policy and accountability, and discuss what meaningful progress looks like across the sector. 

10.15am - 10.45am

Aboriginal Controlled Models of Care: Lessons for the Future of Aged Care 

10.45am - 11.15am

Morning Tea and Networking

11.20am - 11.50am

Workforce Wellbeing and Workers Compensation Reform: What Providers Need to Know 

Andrew HollierIndustry Relationship Manager - Workers Compensation, icare 

11.50am - 12.20pm

Wage Underpayment: Managing Risk and Strengthening Practice
Siobhain Simpson, Audit Partner, Stewart Brown

12.20pm - 1.20pm

Lunch and Networking

1.30pm - 2pm

Consolidation, Scale and the New ACCC Merger Regime 

Rohan Harris, Chair, Russell Kennedy 

2pm - 2.30pm

Digital Maturity in Aged Care 

2.30pm - 3pm

Case study: AI adoption and integrations
CGI 

3pm - 3.30pm

NSW Trustee and Guardian  

Brian Woods, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Trustee and Guardian 

3.30pm - 3.50pm

Afternoon Tea and Networking

3.55pm – 4.25pm 

Beyond Compliance: Partnering for Quality and Trust Under the New Aged Care Act 

Emma Jobson, Assistant Commissioner, Regulatory Strategy and Policy, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 

4.25pm – 5.05pm 

Closing Keynote

5.05pm – 5.10pm 

Conference Close  
Anne King, State Manager NSWACTAgeing Australia 

5.10pm – 6.10pm 

Networking Hour
Unwind after a full day of conference and continue the conversation. Connect with peers, speakers and industry partners in a relaxed setting. Share insights, spark new ideas and build valuable relationships before the day wraps up.

Disclaimer: Please note that this conference program is subject to revisions and updates. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, changes may
occur prior to the event. Attendees are encouraged to regularly check for updates on the conference website. Thank you for your understanding.