Abstract submissions

Ageing in Difference brings together aged care providers, researchers, policymakers and older LGBTI people to advance healthy ageing and inclusive care. We welcome abstracts across research, policy and practice, including community-led work and contributions grounded in lived experience.

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Find out more about Heath in Difference abstracts

Submissions are now open

Key dates

Abstracts open: January 2026
Abstracts close: Friday, 6 March 2026. Extended: Tuesday 17 March, 11:59 pm AEDT
Notifications: Monday, 13 April 2026
Presenter registration deadline: Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

Venue: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Conference dates: 11–12 June 2026.

Themes

Aligned to the National Action Plan 2025–2035:

Leadership and accountability in aged care reform
Prevention, wellbeing and healthy ageing
Connection, belonging and participation
Accessible, inclusive and person-centred care
A skilled and confident workforce
Data, research and lived experience leadership.

Who should submit

We encourage submissions from LGBTI people; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presenters; people with disability; culturally and linguistically diverse presenters; community-controlled organisations; clinicians; researchers; policymakers; and lived-experience experts.

Presentation types

Oral (standard): 15 mins + 5 mins Q&A (20 mins total)
Oral (short): 7 mins, Q&A at session end
Rapid fire: 3 mins; Q&A at session end
Poster: designated discussion times
Workshop: 60 mins, interactive skills/reflective
Creative/non-traditional: up to 20 mins (advise technical needs).

Abstract format and word limit

Choose one: Research (Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusion) or Policy/Practice (Problem, Approach, Outcomes, Lessons)
Word limit: 300 words (excludes title/authors); plain text only
Additional 300 words permitted to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance, data sovereignty and cultural protocols (where applicable).

Review criteria

Abstracts are peer reviewed for: relevance to themes; clarity of purpose; evidence/innovation; contribution to equity and inclusion; and potential to engage attendees.

Conditions

Original work; submitter is the primary contact and must register if accepted
Up to three abstracts per presenting author
Include a conflict of interest disclosure in your presentation (or state “I have nothing to disclose”).