The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is the peak council of the community services and welfare sector. Established in 1956, ACOSS is the national voice for the needs of people affected by poverty and inequality.

The Australian Council of Social Service annual conference is a major event for social services and the community sector. It is a key opportunity to examine our country from the perspective of low income Australians: what policies and programs are working; and what we need to change; and how best we can achieve that.

ACOSS annual conference is a well-attended event, with over 500 people attending in recent years. Conference participants come from a broad cross section of community and welfare organisations, state and federal government departments, tertiary institutions, business, unions and individuals with an interest in community issues and social justice.

The conference is a chance to hear about and discuss key areas of social policy, community sector services, and the needs of social service clients and their communities. Plenary and workshop sessions bringtogether policy-makers, practitioners, consumers, academics and other researchers on key topics of relevance to social services.

In 2010, plenary topics will include:

• Private sector investment and affordable housing
• Tackling long-term unemployment
• The challenge of remote housing in Aboriginal communities
• The national health reform agenda
• Reforming Australia's taxation system
• The Third Sector: Lesson from overseas
• Population  - A big Australia?
• Income management: issues and perspectives
• Emerging equity issues in 2010

Speakers include:

• Charles Michalopulos - MDRC, United States
• Bob Wyatt - The Muttart Foundation, Canada
• Senator the Hon Nick Sherry
• The Hon Sussan Ley MP
• The Hon Bill Shorten MP
• Senator Rachel Siewert
• Professor Graeme Hugo - University of Adelaide
• Don Henry - Australian Conservation Foundation
• Dr John Falzon - St Vincent de Paul Society
• Olga Havnen - Australian Red Cross, NT
• Chris Richardson - Access Economics

Program

View the program (note: this program is subject to change, all changes will be updated as soon as they occur)

Ticket Prices

* Concession: Full-time students, income support recipients (e.g. Pensions, Newstart Allowance) and organisations staffed only by volunteers

Note: Early Bird registrations have been extended to Friday 5th of March 2010
Registrations close 19 March 2010

Registration

Register for this event online - this is for MasterCard and Visa credit card payments only

Download a registration form - if you wish to be invoiced, pay by direct debit, Visa (or other credit cards that are not valid using the online registration) or cheque, download this form and fax back with details filled in to 02 9310 4822 or email to conference@acoss.org.au

Apply for financial assistance to attend the conference

ACOSS has received funding from the ACT Government to enable staff from smaller organisations to attend the conference through a subsidy for the registration fee. A priority will be given to Indigenous people and/or their organisations, or people with disability and/or their organisations to attend the Conference.

Click here download an application form and fax back to ACOSS no later than Friday 12 March.

Accommodation Options

ACOSS has secured reduced rates for conference delegates at hotels in Canberra. All conference delegates will need to make arrangements for their own bookings. Please ensure you indicate you are a delegate of the ACOSS National Conference to receive these reduced rates.

View the accommodation options

Sponsorship Options

The ACOSS Conference is an excellent opportunity to be associated with an issue of great national importance to all people in Australia, but in particular, to those who are the most disadvantaged.

In 2009 we had approximately 500 delegates attend each day of the conference.

In 2010 delegates will hear from Federal and State Governments, the community services and welfare sector, corporates, philanthropic organisations and academics about the emerging issues affecting not only the community services sector but also low income and disadvantaged Australian in a changing economic environment.

View the conference sponsorship options

For all enquiries please email conference@acoss.org.au or call the ACOSS Office on 02 9310 6200