2026 NSW/ACT State Conference 2026 Wrap Up
Over two days in Sydney, the NSW/ACT State Conference 2026 welcomed a total of 460 delegates, and 4 sponsors and 52 exhibitors. The event brought the sector together to explore key issues, share practical insights and ideas, and strengthen connections across the aged care community.
Conference overview
The conference opened with remarks from our master of ceremonies, Nick Elmitt, Head of Quality and Research, Policy and Advocacy at Ageing Australia, before delegates were asked a live poll question to set the scene:
If aged care were a movie genre right now, what would it be?
The top response was Thriller, followed by Drama and a tie with Action and Feel-Good tory, offering a revealing snapshot of the challenges and complexity facing the sector today.
Day one overview
Day One opened with a Welcome to Country from Yvonne Weldon, followed by a room full of delegates on their feet for an energetic movement session from Dance Health Alliance – a fun way to kick things off before addresses from Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson, the Hon. Jodie Elizabeth Harrison and Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM (NSW Health) on the road ahead for the sector. Sessions on reform, financial sustainability and the Aged Care 2030 panel explored what providers need to prioritise now,
before afternoon breakout streams turned to innovation in home and residential care. Between sessions, delegates made the most of the trade exhibition, swapping ideas with exhibitors and catching up with familiar faces. The day wrapped on a high note with a lively live recording of the Time Well Spent Podcast, before the Conference Dinner, sponsored by HESTA, where some of the finalists and winners recognised for the You Are ACE! were celebrated.
Dinner snapshots
The conference dinner, proudly sponsored by HESTA, welcomed 250 delegates for an evening of networking and connection. Guests enjoyed pre-dinner drinks before sitting down for dinner, with plenty of
opportunity to connect with peers from across the sector. Live entertainment from Hip Fidelity added to the atmosphere and rounded out a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
You are ACE
We also celebrated the finalists and winners of the You Are ACE! Awards, some taking to the stage. Julie Southern (RFBI) took out Innovation (Individual), with RFBI also recognised as a finalist for Volunteer (Individual) – Hilary Kite, Kevin Jones and Leonie Robinson – and Innovation (Team) for the Coffs Harbour Masonic Village Maintenance Team,
accepted by Anna-Maria and Alyson. Katie Butler (Buckland Aged Care Services) won Rising Star (Individual), accepted by her team on the night, and Home Care Assistance was a finalist in the Excellence (Organisation) category. Congratulations to everyone recognised for the work they do across the sector.
Day two overview
Day Two began with Dr Darren Coppin on leading through complexity, followed by a panel on combatting racism in aged care. The remainder of the day covered the issues shaping providers today and ahead – workforce wellbeing,
wage compliance, M&A under the new ACCC regime, digital maturity and AI and partnering for quality under the new Aged Care Act – closing with futurist Ashley Fell on the trends reshaping the sector.
Thank you to every speaker, sponsor and delegate who made the 2026 NSW/ACT State Conference such a success.
NSW/ACT State Conference Sponsors
