The 2026 Social Work Congress will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) from 18–20 November 2026. Located in the heart of Broadbeach, GCCEC is one of Australia’s premier conference venues, offering state-of-the-art facilities, exceptional service, and easy access to accommodation, dining, and entertainment.
Just a short walk from the beach, light rail, and major hotels, the venue provides the perfect setting for delegates to connect, collaborate, and enjoy everything the Gold Coast has to offer. Whether you’re arriving from interstate or abroad, you’ll find seamless travel options via the nearby Gold Coast Airport and Brisbane Airport, with convenient public transport links and local attractions within reach.
This page provides key information to help you plan your visit — from getting to the venue and booking accommodation, to exploring the Gold Coast during your stay.
Gold Coast Airport is the gateway to Australia's premier tourist destinations, with uninterrupted access to the stunning Gold Coast and Byron Bay hinterland, as well as onward passage to 22 destinations worldwide.
Less than 20 kilometres from Surfers Paradise and just one kilometre from Coolangatta and the New South Wales border, flying direct to the Gold Coast means your holiday starts sooner.
Uniquely located across both Queensland and New South Wales, Gold Coast Airport is the second largest airport in each state. In FY2024, it welcomed 6.3 million travellers and offered more than 400 flights every week across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and beyond.
The airport is well connected with a range of ground transport options, including rental cars, taxis, limousines, rideshare services and public buses. In the terminal, travellers can enjoy bars, cafes, duty-free shopping, retail stores and free Wi-Fi. Over 3,000 parking spaces are also available and can be pre-booked online.
Domestically, Gold Coast Airport is served by Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas, with direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Newcastle, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Adelaide, Avalon and Darwin.
Internationally, Air New Zealand operates direct flights from Auckland, while Jetstar offers direct services from Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Hamilton and Dunedin. Jetstar and Virgin Australia also fly direct to Bali (Denpasar), connecting the Gold Coast to Indonesia.
English is the primary spoken language on the Gold Coast. Translation services and multilingual tour guides are readily available and Telstra’s Foreign Language Service offers phone assistance in a variety of languages. Telstra’s translation services can be accessed on the following telephone numbers:
- Arabic: 1800 726 001
- Cantonese: 1800 677 008
- Greek: 1800 189 129
- Indonesian: 1800 429 432
- Italian: 1800 649 013
- Korean: 1800 773 421
- Mandarin: 1800 678 876
- Spanish: 1800 726 002
- Vietnamese: 1800 136 691
The Gold Coast is most popular for its mild subtropical climate that features an estimated 8 hours of sunshine, 300 days a year. Average temperatures are as follows:
SPRING
September to November
15-25°C (59-77°F)
SUMMER
December to February
20-28°C (68-83°F)
AUTUMN
March to May
16-25°C (61-77°F)
WINTER
June to August
11-21°C (52-70°F)
For weather forecast visit Bureau of Meteorology, Australia
Australian Dollar: 100c = $AUD1
Coin denominations: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2
Note denominations: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
Currency exchange facilities are available at all international airports and key tourist centres such as Surfers Paradise. Travellers’ cheques can also be cashed at banks and major hotels. ATMs are widely available. Major credit cards are accepted at most shops, hotels and restaurants with American Express, MasterCard and Visa the most common. Banks are open from 9.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Thursday and from 9:30am to 5:00pm on Friday. Bureau de Change facilities have more flexible hours and are generally open at night and on weekends. For further information visit Xe Currency Converter.
All visitors entering Australia need a valid passport and an Australian visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) if not an Australian citizen.
The type of visa required will depend on the length of stay and purpose of visit. A business visa will usually serve those planning to visit Australia for a business event. The type of passport the applicant holds determines whether that applicant can apply online or by using a paper-based application.
Applicants who are eligible to apply online can usually apply for an eVisitor (Business Stream) visa.
If you do not hold a passport approved for online application, ‘label’ visas can be obtained from Australian embassies, high commission offices or consulates.
For further information visit The Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
The Gold Coast caters to a multicultural community with churches, temples, mosques and prayer rooms for all major religious denominations.
240/250 volts AC 50HZ universal outlets for 110 volts (shavers only) are standard in hotels, apartments and motels. Adapters can be purchased from international hotels.
For emergency ambulance, police and fire services dial 000 (from a fixed line) or 112 (from a mobile phone).
Australians drive on the left hand side. A 50km/h speed limit applies in most residential areas, going up to 100-110km/h on open highways. Drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts and strict drink driving laws are enforced. For further information visit Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland