Save the date for FCA Conference 2026

We’re happy to announce that the 2026 FCA conference will be in Cairns. We really hope you can join us at the award-winning Cairns Convention Centre. Here are the key dates:

Pre-conference	Tuesday May 5 and Wednesday May 6
Conference	Thursday May 7 and Friday May 8
Jan Pentland Dinner	Evening of Thursday May 7

Early May is the perfect time of the year to visit Cairns. It’s the dry season with an average daily temperature of around 24 degrees. There’s so much to see and do, and it’s the only place in the world where the rainforest meets the reef.

Cairns is a unique blend of rich culture and laid-back living. It’s got it all – the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, loads of food and wine experiences, beautiful wildlife, markets and art galleries galore.

Our theme this year is Momentum. It explores how our sector is moving forward with confidence, built on a foundation of strength and optimism. We’re focused on what lies ahead, driven by purpose, and ready to tackle challenges while leading through advocacy, service delivery, and innovation.

Registrations will open in early February 2026. In the meantime, here’s some information for your diary and travel plans.

The venue

After attracting more than 1,000 delegates and around 50 exhibitors in Adelaide earlier this year, we’re expecting another large turnout.

The Cairns Convention Centre boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a breathtaking natural backdrop. Cairns is easy to get around with most amenities within walking distance. Many hotels are under a 10-minute walk from the venue.

Our conference will take place in a range of spaces, from the big plenary theatre to smaller conference rooms for concurrent sessions.

There is wheelchair access available via lifts to all levels, as well as other accessibility considerations outlined here.

Pre-conference events - Tuesday May 5 and Wednesday May 6

About half of our conference delegates attend pre- and/or post-conference events. We know many of you will be keen to book flights and accommodation early, so here’s an indication of what’s on and when.

There may be some extra pre-conference events that are not yet listed, but at this stage, these are the ones that are locked in.

Conference - Thursday May 7 and Friday May 8

You can expect a full and interesting plenary program and a variety of high-quality, topical concurrent selections.

We can’t reveal the full program just yet, but key themes will include scams, incarceration, productivity and housing affordability - delivered with our usual mix of insight, energy and good fun.

Jan Pentland conference dinner - evening of Thursday May 7

The gala dinner is a great chance to come together, eat, drink and be merry and, of course, to announce the winners of the Jan Pentland Prize and scholarships. It’s often the highlight for many conference delegates.

Spot Talks

Spot Talks will be back again in 2026, and we’re keen to hear from you if you have an idea you’re burning to share or something you think people working in our sector should know about. The Spot Talks are always a big hit and those who participate speak of walking away with a big sense of achievement and some top-notch skills for life.

This is where you will find the the information pack and you can watch this video for more details.

There’s also an information night, via zoom, to explain how it all works on Tuesday November 25th @ 6pm. Details below.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94554205575?pwd=apzk2cbX2Pwte9vwAV4aTAKRpxg5aA.1

Meeting ID: 945 5420 5575

Passcode: 304802

Day care

The crèche was a big hit at the Adelaide conference and we plan to have one in Cairns too for the kids of registered attendees. If you’re bringing your child(ren) and think you might use this service, please fill out this form so we can plan ahead.

Flights and accommodation

We know how expensive travel can be, so we strongly encourage you to book your flights and room as early as possible.

Cairns has plenty of accommodation options, but as in other years, we have set aside room blocks with an external booking company, which you can access here.

We really are super excited about a tropical conference and look forward to you joining us in early May in Cairns.

Dom

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their living cultures and to Elders past and present.