2026 VIC State Conference 2026 Wrap Up
Over three days in Melbourne, the VIC State Conference 2026 brought together more than 500 delegates, alongside 68 participants in the pre-conference workshop. Supported by 10 sponsors and 50 exhibitors, the event delivered valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration and sector connection.
The 2026 VIC State Conference brought together aged care leaders, providers, and policymakers across two days of substantive sessions spanning policy, financial sustainability, compliance, emergency preparedness, and rights-based care.
Live poll
The conference opened with remarks from VIC-TAS State Manager Danni Campbell-Manley, 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 Action, offering a revealing snapshot of the challenges and complexity facing the sector today.
A Welcome to Country from a Wurundjeri Elder followed, before delegates heard from Minister Ingrid Stitt on equitable access and workforce investment.
Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson then provided a national overview of the sector and the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Day One moved through frank panel discussions on life under the new Aged Care Act, insights from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on partnership-based compliance, financial sustainability data from StewartBrown, and strategic planning sessions on liquidity, collaborative business models, and governance – closing with a moving reflection on dignity and belonging from 2026 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year, Bryan Lipmann AM.
Day one photos
The conference dinner, proudly sponsored by HESTA, was attended by more than 200 delegates. The evening began with pre-dinner drinks and networking, followed by dinner and further opportunities for attendees to connect with peers from across the sector. Entertainment was provided by The Baker Boys Band, helping to round out a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
Dinner Snapshots
The conference concluded with a keynote from Dr Bill Griggs, who drew on his experience in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami to deliver a powerful message for aged care leaders: in crisis, decisions must still be made with incomplete information, guided by clear values and a steady focus on outcomes. Across fifteen sessions and hundreds of conversations, the conference reinforced the sector’s collective commitment to leading with purpose through a period of significant reform.
Day two photos
Audience engagement
Delegates actively engaged throughout the conference, with 198 participants contributing to live polls and Q&A. More than 120 questions were submitted via Slido, demonstrating a strong appetite for discussion and knowledge sharing across the sector.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
