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 closed

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 BSW (Hons), MANZASW
Consultant Social Worker (Psycho-Social Oncology), Tangata Tiriti
Keynote Topic: Compassion in Action: Oncology Social Workers as Stewards of Compassionate Care

Based in Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington, Justin (He/Him/Ia) provides clinical, operational and strategic leadership in Psychosocial Oncology at Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley. His mahi (work) focuses on leading and implementing initiatives to ensure people affected by cancer receive high-quality, equitable care across the cancer continuum.

Justin is also an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Otago’s School of Radiation Therapy, where he delivers supportive care education. He also contributes nationally as a member of the Cancer National Clinical Network and the Cancer Psychological and Social Support National Leadership Group, providing strategic advice on system design, implementation, and engagement.

Justin brings extensive experience working alongside individuals, whānau, and communities navigating complex health and social challenges. He is passionate about inter-professional practice and breaking down silos across hospital, primary, community and indigenous settings, recognising that effective supportive care depends on a connected system, with social work playing a key role in shaping and strengthening the wider health workforce.
A Past President of Oncology Social Work Australia and New Zealand (OSWANZ), Justin continues to serve on the executive and has previously held the Aotearoa New Zealand Regional Representative role.

Tamara Lee, Director Thoughtful Futures

Now the Director, Thoughtful Futures, Tamara has more than 20 years in senior executive leadership in the public health system. Thoughtful Futures seeks to inform and support leaders, emerging leaders  and teams with skills, tool kits and mentoring lead ing with strategic foresight, preparing for the unknown with a vision for the preferred future. Until recently, Tamara was the Director of Future Workforce and the sponsor of the NSW Health Workforce Plan 2022- 2032. Leading a program of work that is future proofing the healthcare workforce through sustainable and innovative strategies. Tamara’s leadership expertise spans across government sectors, health care policy and strategy, community services programs, education & Training, and regulatory reform for workplace safety. What stands out about Tamara is that she is a social worker, who speaks about how her social work values, principles and approaches have been fundamental in her work as a leader and strategy sponsor. While with NSW Health, Tamara lead work in partnership with CSIRO to develop the Beyond Tomorrow report, which outlines 6 megatrends that will have a roll in shaping the future of health care.  Tamara was also the brainstrust behind the #futureHealth Podcast, sharing ideas about the future of the work we do, the workplace and the the healthcare workforce. Tamara has a unique perspective on the future for the workforce in Healthcare, having working in clinical services, and lead strategic workforce planning for the public health system.

Conference Dinner Details:

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

Accommodation Discount Details:

• Location: Rydges Sydney Central
• Arrival: Wednesday 14 October 2026
• Departure: Saturday 17 October 2026
• Download discount details here

Download The Draft Program

Pricing

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