Carers WA Conference 2026, leading into National Carers Week, will inspire, inform and celebrate carers across WA. As Carers WA proudly celebrates 30 years of supporting carers across WA, the event will reflect the importance of working collectively to navigate the current and emerging issues faced by carers.

The dynamic program will address the topics which matter most to carers. Sector professionals, carers with lived experience and motivated speakers will share their stories and insights. Connect, contribute and collaborate with other carers and program participants.  Carers matter. You matter.

Who is the Conference for and how to attend?
The conference is for the interests of carers in WA.
Registration is free for carers and for Service Providers. Attendance is either in-person (subject to a capacity limit) OR online (no capacity limit). In Person registration is intended for delegates to attend the full program on the day, 8.00am to 4.00pm.
Carers WA respectfully requests you consider your availability to attend, if selecting an in-person registration.

Thurs 8 Oct

Attend In-Person or Online

Days
Hours
Minutes

Navigating care together.

Connection, collaboration, and growth.

Registrations: WAITLIST ONLY

Our allocation of in-person tickets for carers and service providers has now been exhausted. In-person registrations are currently waitlist only. Should places become available due to cancellations leading up to the conference, those waitlisted will be contacted directly by Carers WA.

Online registrations remain open with no capacity limit.

Accessibility & Attendance
Optus Stadium is an accessible and inclusive venue. Some walking is required to access and move between conference areas. Carers WA encourages carers to consider their own mobility and comfort when selecting an in-person registration.

You are welcome to bring your mobility aids, and our event crew will be on hand throughout the day to assist you. If you have any specific accessibility concerns or requirements, please email conference@carerswa.asn.au.  The conference is also fully accessible online, allowing carers the choice to register and participate comfortably from home.

Regional Hub Registrations

Carers WA Regional Coordinators will be hosting a livestream hub in the following areas. There will be an opportunity for you to watch the conference live with other carers in your region and enjoy some light refreshments.

Albany Livestreaming Hub | Hilton Garden Inn
When: Thursday, 8th October 2026, 8.30am - 4.00pm
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 3 Toll Place, Albany
Cost: Free

Register Now

Manjimup Livestreaming Hub | Manjimup Wellness Centre
When: Thursday, 8th October 2026, 8.30am - 4.00pm
Where: Manjimup Wellness Centre, 37-39 Rose Street, Manjimup
Cost: Free

Register Now

Broome Livestreaming Hub | Liyan-Ngan Nyirrwa Centre
When: Thursday, 8th October 2026, 8.30am - 4.00pm
Where: Liyan-Ngan Nyirrwa Centre, Yawuru Office I 55 Reid Rd, Cable Beach WA 6726, Australia
Cost: Free

Register Now

Wheatbelt Livestreaming Hub | Wongan Hills Civic Centre
When: Thursday, 8th October 2026, 8.30am - 2.00pm
Where: Wongan Hills Civic Centre 2 Parker Place, Wongan Hills
Cost: Free

Register Now

Program

Carers WA are pleased to present the draft conference program, created to explore and discuss the current and emerging issues for caring across WA. Insights, opinions and ideas will be shared with the opportunity to network with conference delegates and supporters. The conference program will be updated as sessions and speakers are announced.

8:00am – 8:40am                   Arrivals and Registration

8:50am – 9:10am                    Introduction by Emcee, Tim McMillan

9:10am – 9:35am                    Welcome to Country

9:35am – 9:45am                    Program Overview by Emcee Tim McMillan

9:45am – 10:30am                  Keynote Speaker: Ros Thomas

10:30am – 11:00am                Morning Tea

11:00am – 11:40am                 Panel Discussion 1: In Conversation with Carers with lived experience

11:40am – 12:15pm                 Session 1

12:15pm – 12.30pm                Seated Chair Yoga with Kirsten

12:30pm – 1:15pm                   Lunch

1:15pm – 2:00pm                     Fireside Chat Guest Speaker: Professor David Blacker, accompanied by his wife, Kirsten

2:00pm – 2:35pm                    Session 2

2:50pm – 3:35pm                    Panel Discussion 2: Ask our Sector Leaders

3:35pm – 3:55pm                    Conclusion

*The conference program may be subject to change prior to, or during, the conference. 

Our speakers

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Emcee

Tim McMillan

Tim McMillan is an award-winning media professional with extensive experience in national TV, radio, and digital platforms. He is a first-class master of ceremonies and facilitator, currently working in media and other fields, including as a presenter on Channel 7 News Perth.

When he’s not working, Tim is a family man and spends as much time as possible at the beach with his young son. He’s also a massive sports fan and loves cooking and reading.

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Keynote Speaker

Ros Thomas

Ros Thomas is an award-winning journalist, author and Winston Churchill Fellow with more than 35 years of experience reporting across radio, television, print and publishing.

Currently a features writer for The Weekend Australian Magazine, Ros is renowned for her in-depth reporting on social issues, with recent work exploring topics including AI in higher education, autism, dementia and the growing global challenge of loneliness.

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Fireside Chat Guest Speaker

Professor David Blacker

David Blacker is currently the honorary medical director, and board member of Parkinson’s WA, research advisor to the Perron Institute for neurological and translation science, clinical professor of Neurology at the University of Western Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

In-Person

When: Thursday, 8th October 2026 | 8.00am – 4.00pm

Where: Optus Stadium, Perth | River View Room

Note: Arrive from 8:00am, to be seated at 8:45am.  Enjoy coffee and visit our expo tables.

Online

When: Thursday, 8th October 2026 | 8.45am – 4:00pm

Where: Online

1. Unpaid carers

2. Service Providers

3. People who are a combination of both

Note: For Service Providers, due to a capacity limit, a maximum of 2 x delegates can attend in-person from one organisation. Special requests may be considered upon emailing us.

  1. Attend in-person at Optus Stadium: There is a capacity limit to the number of delegates who can attend in person.
  2. Online via your own device: There is no capacity limit to the number of delegates who can attend online.

Note: When capacity for in person attendance is reached, a waitlist will be activated. Carers WA requests if you register to attend in person, that you do so with the intention to be present for the full day program. Carers WA certainly understands, given the nature of the carer role, a situation may arise at short notice preventing you from attending.

As a courtesy, Carers WA kindly requests that you notify us as early as possible by managing your registration through the Humanitix platform and cancelling your booking, so that we can reallocate your place to the next person on the waitlist.

1. In-person Delegate includes:

  • Free parking
  • Welcome coffee and tea
  • Welcome Tote Bag
  • Morning tea and lunch
  • Access to full conference program

2.Online Delegate includes:

  • Access to full conference program

 

 

Smart casual. The temperature in the River View Room is adjusted for the majority, so it may be advisable to bring a jacket.

 

No, not necessary.

You can choose to print and bring your own email confirmation, or have it displayed on your mobile phone.

Your email confirmation will show your name and unique order number.

Carers WA will check your name off, upon your arrival at the Registration Desk.

No. However, special circumstances will be considered by Carers WA, upon email request. Please email: conference@carerswa.asn.au

Carers WA encourages networking with other delegates. Plus, our friendly Conference Crew will be there to ensure you are warmly welcomed and feel comfortable throughout. 

Yes. However, pending demand for in person attendance, priority consideration will be given to carers who are already registered with Carers WA.  There is no limit to the number of delegates who can attend online. 

 

Yes.  Ensure you specify your dietary requirements during the registration process on Humanitix.

Yes. Optus Stadium is a fully inclusive and accessible venue.

  1. Free parking is available in the stadium precinct; in the Bus station, in front of The Camfield and at Marlee Loop car park.
  2. Public Transport: Armadale Line trains stop at Perth Stadium Station.  Buses stop regularly near Matagarup Bridge.
  3. Taxi/Rideshare: Conference guests can be picked up or dropped off in the Marlee Loop car park.

Carers WA will have our Conference Crew assisting with transfers required from car parks to the Stadium.

If you are unable to attend, please manage your registration through your Humanitix confirmation email.

Simply select “Manage Order” and follow the prompts to cancel your registration. Once completed, your registration will be automatically cancelled

Log in details will emailed to you at least one week prior to the Conference, by/on Thursday 1st October 2026. 

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