call for speakers
Comcare welcomes submissions to present at the 2026 Comcare National Conference in Canberra.
This is your opportunity to contribute to your workplace health and safety, compensation and rehabilitation research, insights and innovation with leaders and professionals from across Australia.
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Key dates
2 March to 30 April 2026
Submissions open
*No late submissions will be accepted
Late May 2026
Notification of outcome
Late May 2026
Early bird registrations open
14 – 16 September 2026
Comcare National Conference
Abstract submission closes in
Criteria
Submissions should:
- present a clear purpose
- align with the conference theme, A people-first approach to workplace health and safety, and be relevant to work health and safety, compensation and rehabilitation
- be evidence‑based, supported by research, data or analysis
- offer innovative ideas with practical insights
- not be solely focused on selling a product or service.
Submissions must include at least three key takeaways for the audience, which are expected to be reflected in the final presentation.
Submission streams
Your submission must align with the conference theme, A people-first approach to workplace health and safety and address at least one of the below streams. For more information on streams, sub-topics and criteria, download the Call for Speakers information pack.
Early Intervention
Rehabilitation and Return to Work
Diversity and Inclusivity
The Future of Workplace Safety
Psychosocial Hazards and Wellbeing at Work
Leadership, Change and Governance
Presentation formats
Accepted presentations will be scheduled as a concurrent session on 15 or 16 September 2026. There is an opportunity for your presentation to be either:
- 25-minutes including questions
Or
- 45-minutes including questions
The conference is an in-person event and virtual presentations will not be accommodated.
25-minute presentation
- The 25‑minute short presentation offers a fast, engaging format to share clear and insightful content.
- Designed to capture delegate attention, these sessions will be delivered in the exhibition hall as silent sessions using provided headphones.
- Presentations will be strictly timed by the Session Chair, and time for questions must be included within the 25-minutes.
- Up to two presenters may deliver a 25‑minute short session.
45-minute presentation
- The 45‑minute presentation offers delegates a deeper exploration of a specific topic.
- Presentations will be strictly timed by the Session Chair.
- Presenters should include time for audience questions within the 45-minutes.
- We recommend allowing 10 to 15 minutes for questions.
- Up to three presenters may deliver a 45‑minute session.
If you’re interested in presenting a demonstration, an interactive session or activity, contact us for further options.
How to submit your abstract
- All submissions must be submitted electronically via the online portal.
- If submitting more than one abstract, each abstract must be submitted under the name of the presenting author.
- Ensure that all authors have agreed to the submission of the abstract[s].
- Please note that the presenting author must check the ‘acknowledgement of terms and conditions’ box when registering and submitting each abstract.
- Please ensure that your abstract is finalised and has been prepared in accordance with the abstract submission requirements listed.
- You can save your submission in draft and revisit later.
- You will receive a confirmation email upon successful submission of your abstract.
- All abstracts must be submitted by 5:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on Thursday 30 April 2026.
- No late submissions will be accepted.
If you have queries on the submission streams, topics or criteria, please contact conference@comcare.gov.au.
For any technical submission queries, please contact comcare@conlog.com.au.
Comcare acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.