We are thrilled to announce our 17^th Oncology Social Work Australia New Zealand Conference – Bridging Care: Strengthening Oncology Social Work Within and Beyond the Hospital – in Sydney, Australia. This is an unique opportunity for nationally and internationally acclaimed social workers to share knowledge, research, and skills to enhance our service delivery and support to cancer patients and their families. This conference is open to all social workers and other health professionals working in oncology and palliative care across Australia and from Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Subthemes for the conference include: pediatrics, adolescents and young adults, First Nations Peoples, end of life, community based support, future directions of oncology social work.

The call for abstracts is open – click here to learn more

Registration is open – click here to register

Application for travel grants are open – click here to learn more OR click here to apply.

OSWANZ members will be the first to receive communication about the conference, as well have access to reduced pricing, so register now with OSWANZ if you’ve not already!

• 📅 Date: 15-16 October 2026
• 📍 Location: Rydges Sydney Central, Surry Hills NSW
• 🤝 Networking & Professional Growth: Connect with colleagues across settings and expand your professional community.
• 📚 Inspiring Sessions: Sessions will cover key topics in oncology social work—stay tuned for speaker and agenda announcements.
• 💼 Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities: Available soon for those interested in supporting the work of oncology social workers. Please reach out to the Conference Committee by email if interested!

Keynote Speaker Details:

Dr Kristin Bindley, BA BSW (Hons) PhD AMHSW (AASW) OAM

Kristin (she/her) is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW) and Postdoctoral Fellow in both The Care Lab at The University of New South Wales, and the Faculty of Health at The University of Technology Sydney. She possesses over 20 years’ experience spanning practice, research, education and teaching, focused on bereavement counselling and therapeutic support, particularly in contexts of palliative and end-of-life care and aged care. In 2023, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community through palliative care initiatives. Kristin is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Social Work in End of Life and Palliative Care and the national Bereavement Consultant Lead for Palliative Care Social Work Australia.

Kristin’s research interests have been shaped by her practice experience, with an emphasis on the social and structural determinants of caring, dying and grieving, and equity-informed approaches to health and social care. Her PhD thesis was recognised on the 2022 UTS Chancellor’s List and explored structural vulnerability and experiences of social welfare support, during and after caring for someone with a life-limiting illness. In The Care Lab at UNSW, Kristin’s research is currently focused on the implications of pandemic disruptions for end of life experiences and care, within an ARC Discovery Project.

Justin Gulliver (Details coming soon)

Tamara Lee (Details coming soon)

Conference Dinner Details:

• Date: Thursday 15^th October
• Location: Surry Hills, close to conference venue – further details to be confirmed.
• Price: $100

Pricing

Abstract Submission Timeline:

Travel Grant Timeline:

Registration Timeline