Building on the success of 10th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health, which brought together 1,172 delegates, the 2026 Social Work Congress (2026 SWC) will reaffirm social work’s central role in advancing wellbeing, equity, and social justice in Australia.
The 2026 Congress, hosted by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), will be the profession’s largest national conference, bringing together 700–800 social workers, policy leaders, educators, and allied professionals from across Australia and New Zealand.
Held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18–20 November 2026, the Congress will explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing social work today. Across three days, delegates will engage in keynote addresses, panel discussions, concurrent presentations, and workshops, creating a platform for knowledge-sharing, critical debate, and collective action.
The theme of the 2026 Congress is 80 Years of Leadership, Shaping Tomorrow Together. Marking the 80th anniversary of the AASW, this event offers a unique opportunity to reflect on eight decades of leadership, advocacy, and reform that have shaped the profession and improved the lives of countless Australians. At the same time, it calls on delegates to look forward, exploring bold ideas, innovative practices, and collaborative strategies that will define the next era of social work.
Congress Advisory Groups
View all
Dr Carlie (Caroline) Atkinson
CEO, Indigenous Organisation We Al-li
Michael Austin
CEO, Catholic Care
Karrina Betschart
Director of Professional Practice and Intake for the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training
Fiona Demnar
Director of Social Work, West Moreton Health
Dr Lisa Ewenson
Research Associate, Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW
Dr Tracey Harris
CEO, Amovita International
Ashton Hayes
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor
Dr Gerard Jefferies
Lecturer in Social Work, University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)
Mary Joyce
Head of Department, Social Work Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group
Glenda Kickett
CEO, Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation (Kwaba Moorditj Bidi)
Dr Anita Morris
Director Practice Leadership and Program Development, Operations Branch, Family Safety Victoria, Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing
Dr Lorraine Muller
Social-Health Consultant and Independent Academic
Jacinta Re
Head of Social Work and Spiritual Care, Monash Health
Anthony Schembri AM
Chief Executive, Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD)
Aaron Williams
CEO and co-founder of Mindstar
About AASW
Welcome from the AASW
It’s our absolute pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Social Work Congress, to be held on the Gold Coast from 18–20 November 2026. This year is especially meaningful as it marks the 80th anniversary of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). It’s a big milestone that honours the proud legacy of our profession and the lasting impact social workers have had across Australia.
Our theme for the Congress, 80 Years of Leadership, Shaping Tomorrow Together, perfectly reflects this moment in time. For eight decades, social workers have been at the heart of advancing social justice, supporting communities, and pushing for change. Today, with issues like the urgent need for better responses to family and domestic violence, the challenges within the NDIS and disability services, housing insecurity, aged care, disaster response, climate justice, ... Read More