Tasmania Branch Social Work Symposium

Tasmania Branch Social Work Symposium 2026

Shaping What Comes Next: The Future of Tasmanian Social Work

As the AASW celebrates 80 years of social work in Australia, the Tasmania Branch Social Work Symposium 2026 invites social workers from across the state to come together on Friday 11 September 2026 in Launceston for a day of connection, learning and conversation about the future of our profession.

Under the theme ‘Shaping What Comes Next: The Future of Tasmanian Social Work’, the symposium will explore the challenges and opportunities facing social work, showcase innovative practice, and consider how we can collectively strengthen our profession for the years ahead.

More than a professional development event, the symposium offers an opportunity to connect, reflect and help shape what comes next for our profession and the communities we serve.

Save with early bird rates if you register on or before 1 August 2026.

Register now

Present at the symposium – expressions of interest now open

Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or stepping up for the first time, now is your chance to contribute to the future of social work in Tasmania by submitting your expression of interest (EOI) to present at the symposium.

We’re welcoming presenters from across diverse areas of social work practice, including community services, health, mental health, child and family work, disability, education, leadership, advocacy, research, academia, and private practice. We particularly encourage submissions that are interactive, reflective, practical, and future-focused.

Submit your EOI

EOIs close 5:00pm AEST, Monday 27 July 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 14 August 2026.

All accepted presenters will be required to register and pay to attend the symposium.

If you would like to discuss your idea before submitting an EOI, please contact Ally Smith, Tasmanian Branch President, via email at [email protected].

Why present at the symposium?

Presenting at the symposium is an opportunity to:

  • share your knowledge, experience and practice wisdom with colleagues
  • contribute to conversations shaping the future of social work in Tasmania
  • showcase innovative programs, research or approaches to practice
  • build your professional profile and presentation experience
  • inspire reflection, discussion and learning across our profession.

Presenters will also receive:

  • opportunities for networking and professional connection throughout the day
  • continuing professional development (CPD) points for contributing to the social work profession.

We welcome presentations from experienced and emerging presenters alike. If you’ve never presented before but have an idea worth sharing, we’d love to hear from you.

Presentation format

Sessions will run for approximately 45 minutes, including time for questions and discussion.

We’re particularly looking for presentations that are:

  • practical and relevant to social work practice
  • interactive and engaging
  • reflective and thought-provoking
  • innovative or future-focused.

Examples include:

  • facilitated discussion
  • reflective exercises
  • case examples
  • collaborative activities
  • practice tools or frameworks
  • short presentations combined with audience participation.

What are we looking for?

We are interested in presentations that:

  • align with the symposium theme, ‘Shaping What Comes Next: The Future of Tasmanian Social Work’
  • encourage participation, reflection, and discussion
  • share innovative, emerging, or thoughtful approaches to practice
  • explore challenges, opportunities, and possibilities for the future of social work
  • support connection and learning across practice areas and career stages.

Submissions are welcome from:

  • early career social workers
  • experienced practitioners and leaders
  • rural and regional practitioners
  • social workers in private practice
  • social workers across government, non-government, community, and health sectors
  • social work educators, researchers, and academics
  • social workers working in creative, emerging, or non-traditional spaces.

Priority will be given to Tasmanian social work voices and practice experiences.