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.
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.
| Program at a glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Monday 29 June | Day 1 pre-event workshop | ||
| 9am - 5pm | Registration open | |
10am - 4pm | Practical AI Tools for Aged Care Sector
In this highly practical session, you will gain an overview of AI tools relevant to aged care. Through a live demonstration, you'll see firsthand how AI-powered tools can revolutionise your work and dramatically enhance your effectiveness across a range of common tasks. Gain valuable insights and walk away equipped with actionable knowledge, ready to implement these tools immediately after the session. | |
| Program at a glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Tuesday 30 June | Day 2 conference and exhibition | ||
| 8am - 5pm | Registration open | |
9am - 9.15am | Welcome and Opening of Conference | |
9.15am - 9.25am | Welcome to Country | |
9.25am - 9.55am | Ageing Australia CEO Address | |
9.55am - 10.15am | Ministerial Address | |
10.15am - 10.55am | Sector Panel: The Future of Aged Care. What will Matter Most by 2030
This forward-looking discussion explores what will define success in aged care by 2030. Bringing together perspectives from provider leadership, consumer advocacy, community inclusion and sector sustainability, the panel will challenge attendees to look beyond immediate reform pressures and consider where the sector must focus its effort, investment and leadership to build a system that is trusted, equitable, financially sustainable and responsive to the expectations of older Australians.
Discussion topics may include:
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10.55am - 11.25am | Morning Tea and Networking | |
| 11.30am - 12pm | Building the Workforce We Will Need The future of aged care depends on attracting, developing and retaining a skilled, adaptable and engaged workforce. As demand for services grows and workforce expectations evolve, providers must prepare for new challenges and opportunities. This session will explore the trends shaping the workforce of tomorrow and the practical steps organisations can take today to build capability, strengthen leadership and create sustainable workforce models for the future. | |
| 12pm - 12.40pm | Workforce Innovation in Action: Doing More With Less
Providers across Queensland are finding new ways to attract, retain and support their workforce despite ongoing challenges. In this practical session, NoosaCare and Good Shepherd Lodge share the initiatives, innovations and leadership approaches helping them build workforce capability, strengthen culture and deliver quality care. Through real-world examples and facilitated discussion, attendees will gain practical ideas and lessons that can be adapted within their own organisations. | |
12.40pm - 1.40pm | Lunch and Networking | |
| 1.45pm - 3.15pm | Breakout Session 1: Home Care
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| 1.45pm - 3.15pm | Breakout Session 2: Residential Care
Session One: The Sector Speaks — Turning Reform Challenges into Change, It’s about time to discuss the elephant in the room
Julie McStay, Partner Thomsons
Session Two: Still Feeling It. Intimacy, Ageing & the Conversations We Avoid
Podcast Hosts: Dane Mitchell, Managing Director, Optimum Allied Health and Melissa Argent, CEO, Rockpool | |
3.15pm - 3.45pm | Afternoon Tea and Networking | |
| 3.45pm - 4.55pm | Debate: AI in Aged Care – Essential Progress or Unacceptable Risk?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping aged care, but is it essential progress or an unacceptable risk? In this high-energy debate, speakers will go head-to-head on the opportunities, risks and realities of AI adoption across the sector.
Moving beyond high-level AI commentary, the session will explore practical provider scenarios, including workforce pressures, operational efficiency, compliance, safeguarding and digital readiness. With live Slido polling, audience interaction and rapid-fire debate, expect strong opinions, real-world examples and plenty of audience engagement. | |
| 4.55pm - 5pm | Day Wrap Up and Closing | |
| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
Wednesday 1 July | Day 3 conference and exhibition | ||
| 8am - 5pm | Registration open | |
9am - 9.10am | Opening Remarks and Welcome Back | |
9.10am - 9.50am | Opening keynote: The Demographic Forces Reshaping Aged Care to 2030 | |
9.50am - 10.20am | Navigating the Next Phase of Aged Care Reform | |
10.20m - 10.50am | Beyond Compliance: Partnering for Quality and Trust Under the New Aged Care Act | |
10.50am - 11.20am | Morning Tea and Networking | |
11.25am - 11.55am | Registered Provider Boards and the Next Phase of Reform: Risks, Responsibilities and Strategic Challenges for Boards and Board Members
A highly practical session on the key risks and issues that are emerging for aged care boards (and board members) 6 months post implementation of the new act and how to manage them.
The session will:
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11.55am - 12.25pm | Financial Sustainability Under Reform | |
12.25pm - 1.25pm | Lunch and Networking | |
1.30pm - 2pm | The Workforce Reality Check: What the Data Is Telling Us
Using BPA Analytics' workforce benchmarking data, this session explores the factors driving attraction, engagement and retention in aged care. Drawing on thousands of employee voices, Jacqui will examine what high-performing organisations are doing differently, the workforce trends leaders need to be paying attention to, and practical insights providers can use to strengthen culture and capability. | |
2pm - 3pm | Workforce Priorities for the Next 12 Months
The aged care sector has spent years discussing workforce shortages, attraction, retention, and sustainability. This session starts where those conversations usually end. And the key question is: what’s preventing progress?
Through live polling and facilitated discussion, providers will identify the workforce challenges having the greatest impact, explore what barriers are preventing progress, and prioritise the actions needed to move the sector forward. New ideas will also be shared.
Together, we will identify:
This is not just a discussion about workforce challenges. It’s a conversation about making change happen. Be prepared to contribute, challenge thinking and help shape future workforce priorities. | |
3pm - 3.30pm | Afternoon Tea and Networking | |
3.35pm - 4.15pm | Fireside chat:
Older Australians are becoming more informed, connected and vocal about the care and services they receive. In this candid fireside chat, we explore how consumer expectations are evolving and what providers will need to do to remain relevant, trusted and responsive by 2030. Understand the changing expectations of older Queenslanders and the practical steps providers can take today to deliver services that consumers will value tomorrow. | |
4.15pm - 4.55pm | Closing Keynote: Ageing Well Through Connection. Rethinking Housing, Community and Belonging
The Darra co-housing project offers a powerful example of ageing well through connection, choice and community. Designed around housing security, independence and social connection, this innovative model brings residents together to intentionally create a supportive community where people can thrive as they age. This session explores what the sector can learn from alternative approaches that place belonging, purpose and wellbeing at the centre of ageing. | |
4.55pm - 5pm | Conference Close | |
5pm - 6pm | Networking Hour | |