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About the National Forum
HumanAbility’s National Forum is our flagship annual event, bringing together senior leaders from across industry, government, unions, education and the community.
The sectors that HumanAbility represents help Australians to live full and healthy lives. Together, they make up the largest and fastest growing parts of the national economy.
How we approach skills, training and workforce development today will shape the future of education, care, health, community services and sport and recreation for generations to come. While every sector is unique, we know there are challenges we all share. By coming together, we can learn from one another and amplify our work.
That’s why HumanAbility’s 2026 National Forum is all about Connecting for Impact.
For our sectors, the Forum is an opportunity to come together with other leaders and take part in important conversations about the future.
And for HumanAbility, it’s another chance for us to listen, learn and renew our role as a connector.
Bringing our sectors together
The National Forum brings together senior leaders and decision makers from employers, government, unions and
employee associations, peak bodies, education and training providers and other organisations working across our sectors.
disability services
education and care
recreation
2026 Program
This year’s program will bring together respected voices from across Australia to take on questions that matter across our sectors. Across the day, conversations will explore productivity and community wellbeing, the future of education and training, First Nations perspectives, inclusive workplaces, AI and digital transformation and participation in skills, training and employment.
We’ll also hear directly from learners and workers about their experiences of vocational education and pathways into our sectors, and learn from the people and partnerships already delivering results.
Program highlights
Productivity and community wellbeing
Explore the relationship between our industries, productivity and community wellbeing with Dr Angela Jackson, leading economist and Productivity Commissioner.
Learner and worker voices
Hear firsthand from learners and workers about their experiences of vocational education, their pathways into work
and where their training has taken them.
The future of education and training
Discover different perspectiveson innovation and progress across VET and tertiary education, and theopportunities emerging for the future.
AI, digital transformation and inclusive workplaces
Consider the impact of AI and digital transformation, the skills our changing workforces will need, and howorganisations are creating more inclusive workplaces.
Workforce participation
Insights from leaders working to increase participation in skills, training and employment and consider what labour
force trends tell us about the workforces of the future.
Full program coming soon
In conversation with Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes, proud Adnyamathanha and Narungga man, AFL legend and former Australian of the Year, will join Leigh Sales AM for a special afternoon conversation and audience Q&A.
Full agenda coming soonMeet more of our speakers
Hosted by award-winning journalist and author Leigh Sales AM, the 2026 National Forum will feature leaders and experts from across industry, government, unions, education and the community. More speakers to be announced.
Award winning journalist and author
National Forum MC
Economist and Productivity
Commissioner
Event details
Date: Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Registration: From 8.15 am
Forum run time: 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
Networking: From 5.00 pm
Location: Doltone House Hyde Park, 3/181 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, on Gadigal Land, NSW 2000
See the National Forum 2025 in action
Be part of the conversation
There is so much we can learn from one another and so much we can achieve by working together.
Join leaders from across HumanAbility’s sectors at the 2026 HumanAbility National Forum: Connecting for Impact.