Agenda

2026 Agenda

Across this two-day summit, sessions are organised into four strategic streams designed to support providers, carers and aged care leaders. Through expert-led sessions, real-world case studies and peer discussions, attendees will learn directly from those leading reform on the ground, explore proven approaches, and gain the confidence to translate legislative change into meaningful, high-quality care outcomes for older Australians.

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The agenda is currently being built, register your interest below and be the first to know of what’s coming up for the Aged Care Week

9:00 AM - 12:00 PMWorkshop A:

Using data AI in your care business

As Australia’s aged care sector enters a new era of reform and accountability, AI is emerging as a powerful enabler. From predictive health analytics and workforce optimisation to digital companions, AI is transforming how providers make decisions and manage operations.

By the end of the workshop, aged care providers and professionals will be able to:

Learn how to structure data to empower local site managers with the business insights they need to optimise performance
Understand how to use data to drive performance:
Workforce optimisation
Care delivery
Operational efficiency
Financial performance
Supercharge data – Use Ai to drive additional analytics, reporting and actionable insights across the business
Map the journey to build an Ai ecosystem
Case study – MaxAi

Workshop Leaders:

9:00 AM - 12:00 PMWorkshop B:

The new Aged Care Act needs better boards: Strengthening governance for quality, accountability, and trust

As the new Aged Care Act brings greater accountability, transparency, and a stronger focus on consumer rights, boards are facing growing pressure to demonstrate effective governance, strategic oversight, and ethical leadership. This interactive workshop will equip board members, executives, and governance professionals with the tools and insights needed to meet new legislative expectations, strengthen governance frameworks, and lead with confidence in a reform-driven environment.

Through practical discussions, real-world case studies, and guided exercises, participants will explore how to build high-performing boards that drive compliance, sustainability, and person-centred care outcomes.

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

Understand the implications of the new Aged Care Act for governance, leadership, and board accountability
Identify strategies to strengthen board capability, culture, and decision-making frameworks
Develop practical steps to embed risk management, clinical governance, and consumer voice at the board level

Workshop Leaders:

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM - 4:00 PMWorkshop A:

Change management & organisational culture: Empowering your workforce to embrace operational and digital transformation

This interactive workshop explores how aged care leaders can foster a resilient and adaptive organisational culture that embraces continuous improvement, inclusive leadership, and technology adoption. Attendees will gain practical strategies for leading change initiatives, improving workforce engagement, and aligning teams around person-centred care goals.

By the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

Develop a structured approach to managing change in aged care settings
Build leadership capabilities that promote inclusivity, trust, and collaboration
Identify barriers to digital and operational transformation and strategies to overcome them
Foster a culture of innovation that supports staff wellbeing and person-centred outcomes

Workshop Leader:

1:00 PM - 4:00 PMWorkshop B:

Workshop Overview:

With evolving funding models, compliance reforms, and rising operational costs, aged care providers are under increasing pressure to balance financial viability with high-quality, person-centred care. This workshop is designed to equip executives and financial leaders with practical tools, strategies, and frameworks to strengthen financial sustainability, optimise resource allocation, and build long-term business resilience in an environment of ongoing reform and uncertainty.

Key Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Analyse financial pressures and opportunities within the new aged care funding and regulatory landscape
Develop sustainable business models that balance compliance and profitability
Implement cost-efficiency strategies linked to strategic objectives
Strengthen financial governance, risk management, and scenario planning to future-proof their organisation

Workshop Leader:

7:00 AM Registration opens

8:30 AM Welcome to country

7:45 AM Welcome to Country

7:50 AM Opening remarks by the Chair

Reform, People Cantered Care, Transformation

9:00 AM Opening keynote: Regulation under the new Aged Care Act: Quality and safety in a rights based system

Updates on regulatory milestones, provider obligations, and operational changes since enactment

Common implementation hurdles and innovative approaches to improve care delivery

Strategies for providers to adapt services, enhance governance, and ensure ongoing compliance

Impact of the new act for providers, staff, and participants

9:30 AM The new era of governance and accountability in Aged Care

From passive oversight to active assurance — understanding what the Aged Care Act 2024 requires of boards, responsible persons and executives, and the personal accountability that comes with it
Building the governance architecture that makes compliance visible and evidenced so as strengthen governance frameworks to reduce legal, compliance and regulatory risk
Contemporary aged care governance, including the role and expectations of Boards, Responsible Persons and senior leaders in supporting safe, compliant and consumer-focused organisation
Practical approaches to strengthening Board and committee oversight, including effective onboarding and clear accountability structures, including embedding the consumer voice as a meaningful input into governance and decision-making

10:00 AM Panel discussion: Operationalising person centred care under the new act

Navigating and enacting the Aged Care Act major shift in emphasis to a rights-based model in the context of the reforms focused on protecting the consumer

Key lessons from translating policy changes into everyday operations and workforce practices

Building sustainable, high-quality care models that prioritise dignity, wellbeing, and person-centred care

Training, support, and leadership to drive and sustain cultural and operational change

Adopting digital tools and systems to support compliance, improve efficiency, and enhance care under the new Act

Moderator:

Panellists:

10:45 AM Morning Refreshments

Chair:

Transitioning to Support at Home

11:30 AM Case study: Adapting to the new Support at Home model and its impact on provider financial sustainability

Implementation learnings, post-Act experiences and strategic moves to stay ahead

Strategies for adapting internal processes, workforce planning, and technology systems to comply with the new Support at Home framework

The importance of a streamlined program for participant care quality and safety

12:00 PM Clinical governance in home care: Delivering safe, high-quality care beyond traditional care settings

What are the implications of the reforms for providers and participants?

Identifying strategies to optimise resource allocation, workforce management, and operational efficiency within home care services

Exploring innovative approaches and best practices to ensure long-term sustainability while maintaining high-quality, person-centred care

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

Connect directly with fellow aged care professionals and industry partners in an informal discussion setting designed to encourage open dialogue. Exchange perspectives, explore solutions, and build valuable relationships through genuine conversations about the sector’s most pressing challenges.

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Adapting to change: Strategies for Home Care providers to deliver better outcomes

How providers are responding to policy, funding, and consumer-driven changes in service delivery

Strategies for managing staffing, training, and technology to maintain quality care at home

Practical approaches, tools, and success stories that help providers cope and thrive during change

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Case study: Building a smarter Support at Home workforce model to ensure quality care and long-term sustainability

Designing an operational workforce model that matches the right staff to each older person’s individual needs

Optimising home care rostering to balance care quality, workforce wellbeing, and financial sustainability

Strengthening staff–client relationships by addressing challenges related to distance, continuity, and scheduling

Chair:

Workforce capability & leadership development

11:30 AM Case study: Aligning workforce strategy with regulatory and reform requirements

Reform landscape – What it means

Workforce risks & pressures facing the sector

Strategic workforce alignment and opportunities

12:00 PM Case study: Built to last: The Global demographic math reshaping Aged Care and how to get ahead of It

Partnering with the right staffing agency to support your skilled workforce need

Developing recruitment and retention strategies to build a stable, motivated and skilled care workforce

Leveraging technology and workforce planning tools to optimise rostering, staffing ratios, and care delivery efficiency

Investing in upskilling and career pathways for your workforce

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Building a culture of innovation through effective change management and leadership

Lifting leaders’ capability to transform the care sector

Understanding how structured change management can support successful implementation of reforms and new care models

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Case study: Leading through change by fostering continuous learning and inspiring motivated, future-ready leaders in aged care

Building a culture of learning to drive compliance, adaptability and innovation

Mentorship and strengthening of career pathways

Chair:

Financial strategy and governance

11:30 AM Case study: Understanding financial prudential reforms and their impact for Aged Care providers

Examining the key financial prudential requirements under the new Aged Care Act and their impact on provider operations

Identifying practical steps to ensure long-term financial sustainability and compliance within the evolving aged care funding framework

12:00 PM Building financial resilience in residential aged care: Navigating pricing reform, RAD retention, and rising operational costs

Understanding the latest accommodation pricing reforms and their impact on revenue sustainability, occupancy strategy, and resident affordability
Examining how RAD retention changes are reshaping capital planning, cash flow management, and investment decision-making
Identifying strategies to balance financial sustainability, compliance obligations, and quality care amid rising operational and regulatory pressures
Strengthening long-term business resilience through smarter pricing models, funding optimisation, and strategic financial governance

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Building financial resilience and governance for sustainable growth under new funding and compliance frameworks

Implementing financial management practices that meet liquidity and investment requirements

Strengthening governance structures to support compliance and strategic decision-making

Adapting to new funding models and regulatory frameworks while driving operational efficiency

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Case study: Achieving sustainable growth through strategic acquisitions

Why would smaller organisations consider mergers or divestment

Consideration by all stakeholders – End game

The M&A process

Streamlining operations and integrating cultures post-acquisition for long-term stability and
Case Study Preservation of Legacy Time to complete

Chair:

Strengthened care standards

11:30 AM Keynote Address: Achieving organisational and operational excellence through the strengthened aged care quality standards

Embedding the statement of rights into everyday care practice to uphold the rights and voices of older people

Measuring the impact of reforms on quality of life, wellbeing, and consumer trust

Delivering consistent, high-quality, and person-centred care aligned with the updated regulatory expectations

12:00 PM Restoring time for care: A practical showcase of how AI automation is improving revenue and revolutionising aged care workflows

See a live showcase of the AI tools that are increasing funding accuracy and revenue uplift in aged care organisations today
Understand how AI can support key aged care workflows, including resident intake, shift handovers, incident reporting, and interim care planning
Assess how automation can improve documentation accuracy, strengthen communication across care teams, and enhance compliance readiness
Identify the governance and ethical considerations for safe AI adoption, including data security, privacy, consent, and appropriate human oversight
Explore how AI-enabled workflows can improve financial position, reduce administrative burden and free up staff time to focus on quality resident care

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Building a sustainable and people-centred future care sector

Designing care around what older Australians and their families truly value to build trust, dignity, and person centred experiences

Understanding evolving expectations around transparency, communication, and personalised care experiences

Embedding dignity, choice, and independence at the heart of service design and delivery

Strengthening family engagement to build trust and improve satisfaction across the care journey

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Case study: Reimagining Dementia Care: A collaborative person-centred approach to supporting people living with dementia – The Mercy Health model care

Redefining traditional residential aged care by prioritising residents’ personal choice, independence, and quality of life

Introducing four collaboratively developed principles that enhance engagement, create supportive environments, and uplift staff capability

Sharing key challenges and lessons learned to guide successful implementation

3:00 PM Afternoon Refreshments

3:30 PM Roundtable Discussion

The interactive roundtable discussions offer a unique chance to engage with peers, sharing common challenges and best practices on a topic of your choice. At the end of the discussion, facilitators will share a summary of the key findings to the entire group, allowing all participants to benefit from the collective insights.

1. Transitioning to the new Aged Care Act: From compliance to meaningful implementation

Facilitator: TBC

2. Building tomorrow’s workforce: Equipping carers with the skills to support an ageing Australia

Facilitator:

3. AI in Aged Care: Enhancing quality, compliance, and operational efficiency

Facilitator:

4. Building financial sustainability and business resilience in a changing Aged Care landscape

Facilitator:

5. Navigating funding, fees, and charges under the Support at Home program

Facilitator:

6. Strengthening risk management and governance in Aged Care

Facilitator:

4:30 PM The critical role of food and nutrition in maintaining wellbeing, preventing disease, and dignified ageing

Designing nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate meal programs that align with accreditation requirements

Implementing efficient food service processes to improve resident satisfaction and operational compliance

Using feedback and quality metrics to continuously refine menus and dining experiences for better care outcomes

5:00 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of day one

5:10 PM Networking cocktail reception

7:00 PM Networking dinner

7:00 AM Registration opens

7:50 AM Opening remarks by the Chair

Delivery, Innovation & Sustainability

9:00 AM Opening keynote: Driving digital transformation and system reforms through the act

Turning compliance into an opportunity for innovation and efficiency

Streamlining operations and reducing administrative burden through digital tools and automation

Empowering consumers with greater choice, transparency, and control over their care experience

Enabling data informed decisions to improve care quality, responsiveness, and organisational performance

9:30 AM From reform to real impact: How Uniting is transforming service delivery across Residential, Home Care, and Retirement Living

Translating aged care reforms into practical operational transformation across multiple service lines
Building integrated care models that support independence, ageing in place, and consumer choice
Aligning workforce capability, technology, and governance to deliver sustainable care models
Key lessons from implementing transformation at scale in a large aged care organisation

10:00 AM Panel discussion: My care, my voice: A lived experience of co-creating what truly works

Embedding lived experience into care design, delivery, and evaluation

Translating personalised care and support plan standards into meaningful, everyday practice

Partnering with older people, families, and carers to improve care outcomes and satisfaction

Using feedback, data, and lived experience insights to continuously improve care quality

Moderator:

Panellists:

10:45 AM Morning Refreshments

Chair:

Leveraging technology to streamline operations and improve quality of care

11:30 AM Advancing and implementing technology to transform home care services

Leveraging digital tools and assistive technologies to enhance client independence and quality of care at home

Integrating data, automation, and remote monitoring to improve service coordination and efficiency

Overcoming barriers to technology adoption through staff training, digital literacy, and user-friendly design

12:00 PM Preparing for the CHSP transition: Navigating the path to reform and sustainable service delivery

Understanding the 12-month roadmap to full CHSP transition and the key milestones providers need to prepare for
Examining the evolving role of CHSP providers within the emerging multi-provider aged care ecosystem
Exploring the associate provider model and its implications for service delivery, partnerships, consumer choice, and continuity of care
Identifying practical strategies to manage operational, workforce, funding, and compliance challenges throughout the transition period
Positioning organisations for long-term sustainability and success under the future Support at Home framework

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Redesigning care through collaboration: Leveraging brokerage and third party partnerships in support at home

Designing financially viable Support at Home operating models that balance affordability, compliance, and quality outcomes
Optimising care delivery models, workforce structures, and partner networks
Mitigating compliance, financial, and delivery risks when working with third-party providers, subcontractors, and support services

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Support at Home – it’s not the only answer: Right at Home’s experience in making sense of the system through a franchise network

Adopting your service model, workforce and operations to remain sustainable under Support at Home reforms
Strategies used to manage costs, improve eciency and maintain quality of care during the transition
Practical lessons on scaling services while meeting compliance, funding and consumer expectations

Chair:

Retention, training and upskilling

11:30 AM Driving workforce cultural change to improve retention and performance

An industry snapshot and how Calvary driving a culture that delivers excellence
Calvary’s speak up for safety program, culture eats compliance for breakfast

12:00 PM International migration and workforce sustainability

How can international recruitment evolve from a short-term workforce fix into a sustainable, long-term solution that avoids shifting labour shortages across global markets?
What practical strategies can organisations adopt to ensure skilled migration complements—not replaces—investment in domestic workforce development?
How can aged care providers implement ethical recruitment models that support workforce stability in Australia while also strengthening capability and economic outcomes in source countries?

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Embedding diversity and inclusion

Supporting a diverse and inclusive environment for their clients and aged care workers

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Empowering your workforce for the best dementia care

Equipping staff with specialised dementia care training

Fostering empathy and understanding to support person-centred approaches

Building a supportive culture that prioritises wellbeing for both carers and residents

ESG, green facilities & sustainable investment

11:30 AM Building a resilient future through ESG investments and sustainable infrastructure that deliver long-term financial and environmental value

Leveraging ESG strategies to reduce costs, attract funding, and strengthen organisational resilience

Aligning sustainable goals with operational excellence to enhance reputation and community trust

12:00 PM Case study: From experimentation to adoption: Growing with AI in Aged Care

Exploring Whiddon’s practical journey from AI experimentation to sustainable organisation-wide adoption
Sharing real-world lessons, challenges, and cultural shifts required to build long-term AI capability in aged care
Understanding how strong partnerships, governance frameworks, and guiding principles support responsible AI implementation
Examining how an agent-based, platform-driven approach enables scalable AI adoption across multiple business functions and use cases

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Managing business sustainability amid rising operational and compliance Cost

Examining the economy of care and navigating road ahead

Optimising funding models, efficiency reforms, pricing structures, and workforce sustainability to strengthen the sector

Ensuring the aged care system delivers high-quality, affordable care for the future

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Financial sustainability through innovation: Rethinking aged care delivery for long-term viability

Balancing financial sustainability with quality, person-centred care
Leveraging innovation, technology, and new service models to improve efficiency and outcomes
Identifying new growth opportunities and revenue streams in a changing care landscape
Building organisational resilience amid funding reform, workforce shortages, and rising costs

Chair:

AI & digital tools for quality and safety

11:30 AM Leveraging AI to drive better reporting and decision-making for person centred care outcomes

Streamlining data reporting to give care teams timely, actionable insights

Supporting informed decision making by leveraging predictive analytics and AI-driven recommendations

Enhancing personalised care by aligning interventions with individual needs and preferences

12:00 PM Case study: Beyond the code: How your building shapes the rest of your residents' lives

How design your buildings to meet compliance with the Building Code and Aged care act
Design outcomes based on what your residents actually need

12:30 PM Peer-to-peer networking

1:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM Panel: Transforming care quality through digital innovation

Using technology to deliver personalised, responsive, and connected care experiences

Leveraging data and digital tools to enhance decision-making, safety, and overall care outcomes

Streamlining workflows and reducing administrative tasks to give carers more time for meaningful interactions

Moderator:

Panellists:

2:30 PM Driving safer, person-centred care through smarter use of technology and data intelligence

3:00 PM Afternoon Refreshments

3:30 PM Case study: How providers are responding to real consumer feedback to deliver more person-centred care

Using consumer voice to drive continuous improvement and meet evolving regulatory expectations

What’s working, what’s not, and how providers are adapting with meaningful change

Improving complaints handling & building a culture of open disclosure and improved care

Building trust and strengthening relationships with residents and families through transparent communication practices

4:00 PM Case study: Business intelligence in senior living: A collaborative approach to operational excellence

Leveraging data for informed decision-making

Breaking down silos between care, operations, finance, and leadership through shared insights and dashboards

Integrating technology for seamless reporting

Best practices and lessons learned

Agenda

2026 Agenda

The agenda is currently being built, register your interest below and be the first to know of what’s coming up for the Aged Care Week

Workshop Leaders:

Alissa Brown

Juliana Lalli

Dr Richard Rosewarne

Workshop Leaders:

Erin McMullen

Kate Francis

Kate Littlewood

12:00 PM Lunch

Workshop Leader:

Rachael Cook

Workshop Leader:

David Sinclair

7:00 AM Registration opens

8:30 AM Welcome to country

Michael West

Veronica Jamison

Reform, People Cantered Care, Transformation

Liz Hefren-Webb

Erin McMullen

Kate Littlewood

Moderator:

Veronica Jamison

Panellists:

Tamar Krebs

Todd Yourell

John Dryden

10:45 AM Morning Refreshments

Chair:

Julie Dundon

Transitioning to Support at Home

James Whitelaw

Shey Schillaci

1:00 PM Lunch

Moderator:

Jenna Leo

Panellists:

Laura Camish

Fritha Radyk

Kris McCall

Laura Camish

Chair:

Joan Hughes

Workforce capability & leadership development

Adam Priest

Dan Sandiford

1:00 PM Lunch

Moderator:

Reuben Jacob

Panellists:

Michael Rasheed

Tracey Green

Analou Cariaga

Michelle Wicky

Lehi Cerna

Chair:

Helen Milanovic

Financial strategy and governance

Joe Azzi

David Sinclair

1:00 PM Lunch

Moderator:

Stephen Rooke

Panellists:

Graeme Wickenden

Adam Green

Barry Ashcroft

Michael O’Connor

Chair:

Veronica Jamison

Strengthened care standards

The Hon. John Ajaka

Elley Nott

1:00 PM Lunch

Moderator:

Carmela Sergi

Panellists: