About the Conference | Supporting Family Carers

Registrations for this event are now closed.

The Carers WA Conference 2024 is Western Australia’s flagship event, held during Australia’s annual National Carers Week in October.

National Carers Week aims to recognise, celebrate, and raise awareness of the 2.65 million Australians who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend, including the estimated 320,000 carers living in WA.

This one-day conference caters to the interests of both carers and service providers. The dynamic program will explore and discuss current and emerging issues faced by carers.

Attendance options include in-person participation at Optus Stadium or joining via an online platform. Regional live viewing hubs will also be hosted in Albany, Manjimup and Esperance.

Registration is FREE for carers registered with Carers WA and for service providers.

Note: Our capacity limit has been reached for in-person attendance carers and service providers, a waitlist has been activated. Registrations for online attendance remain open.

Thurs 17 Oct

8am - 5pm

Attend In-Person or Online

Days

Hours

Minutes

Empowering the unpaid carer.

Navigating identity, belonging & change.

Our speakers

Emcee

Tim McMillan

Tim McMillan is an award-winning media professional with extensive experience in national TV, radio, and digital platforms. He is a first-class master of ceremonies and facilitator, currently working in media and other fields, including as a presenter on Channel 7 News Perth. When he’s not working, Tim is a family man and spends as much time as possible at the beach with his young son. He’s also a massive sports fan and loves cooking and reading.

International Keynote Speaker

Heather Simmons

Join Carers WA in welcoming Heather Simmons back to Perth. Heather is a dedicated advocate for people with disability and those on the margins. A brilliant author and presenter, she challenges us to think deeper and strive for better. Her extensive career spans the Disability, Mental Health, and Aged Care sectors, with international experience from the UK to Australia. As a former carer in Perth to her late husband who had a disability, she understands the impact of being a carer. Currently, her work focuses on organisations that provide support to people in their own homes. With a particular interest in staff induction and training, Heather finds that her lived experience as a carer has been invaluable in informing this work.

Program

View our full program handbook here.

Carers WA and the Carers Conference 2024 Organising Committee are pleased to present the draft conference program, created to explore and discuss the current and emerging issues for caring across WA. Insights, opinions and ideas will be shared with the opportunity to network with conference delegates and supporters. The conference program will be updated as sessions and speakers are confirmed.

8:00am – 8:40am Arrivals and Registration

8:50am – 9:10am Introduction by MC, Tim McMillan

9:10am – 9:30am Welcome to Country

9:30am – 10:15am International Keynote Speaker: Heather Simmons

10:15am – 10:45am Morning Tea

10:45am – 11:30am Panel Discussion: Executive leaders from across the community and care sector

11:30am – 12:15pm Panel Discussion: Carers with own lived experience

12:15pm – 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm – 3:30pm Concurrent sessions

3:30pm – 5:00pm Sundowner Networking Event

*The conference program may be subject to change prior to, or during, the conference.

Regional Hub Registrations

Carers WA Regional Coordinators will be hosting a livestream hub in the following areas. There will be an opportunity for you to watch the conference live with other carers in your region and enjoy some light refreshments.

Albany Livestreaming Hub | Hilton Garden Inn

When: Thursday, 17th October 2024, 8.30am - 11.30am
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 3 Toll Place, Albany
Cost: Free
Registrations: greatsouthern@carerswa.asn.au

RSVP Now...

Manjimup Livestreaming Hub | Manjimup Wellness Centre

When: Thursday, 17th October 2024, 8.30am - 3.30pm
Where: Manjimup Wellness Centre, 37-39 Rose Street, Manjimup
Cost: Free
Registrations: southwest@carerswa.asn.au

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Esperance Livestreaming Hub | Lotteries House

When: Thursday, 17th October 2024, 9.00am - 1.00pm
Where: Lotteries House, 3 Forrest St, Esperance
Cost: Free
Registrations: esperance@carerswa.asn.au

RSVP Now...

Registrations for this event are now closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

In-Person

When: Thursday, 17th October 2024 | 8.40am – 5.00pm

Where: Optus Stadium, Perth | River View Room

Note: Arrive from 8:00 AM. Enjoy free coffee and visit our expo tables.

Online

When: Thursday, 17th October 2024 | 8.40am – 3.30pm

Where: Online

1. Unpaid carers, currently registered with Carers WA

2. Service Providers

3. People who are a combination of both

Note: For Service Providers, due to a capacity limit, a maximum of 2 x delegates can attend in-person from one organisation. Special requests may be considered upon emailing us.

1. Attend in-person at Optus Stadium: There is a capacity limit to the number of delegates who can attend in person.

2. Online via your own device: There is no capacity limit to the number of delegates who can attend online.

Note: When capacity for in person attendance is reached, a waitlist will be activated. Carers WA requests if you register to attend in person, that you do so best knowing that you can present on the day. Carers WA certainly understands, given the nature of the carer role, a situation may arise at short notice preventing you from attending. As a courtesy, Carers WA requests your notification as early as possible, so that we can re-allocate your registration to the next person on our waitlist.

1. In-person Delegate includes:

Free parking

Morning tea and lunch

Welcome satchel

Access to all conference programs

Afternoon networking event

Thank you gift

Post-event website recordings

2.Online Delegate includes:

Access to all conference program

Post-event website recordings

Smart casual.
Please note that the temperature in the River View Room is adjusted for the majority, so it may be advisable to bring a jacket.

No. Once your name is registered with Carers WA and you will receive your email confirmation. A ticket will be attached for your reference. You are welcome to bring a print-out if you wish to.

No. However, special circumstances will be considered by Carers WA, upon email request. Please email: conference@carerswa.asn.au

Carers WA encourages networking with other delegates. Plus, our friendly Conference Crew will be there to ensure you are warmly welcomed and feel comfortable throughout.

Certainly. Please ensure you specify your dietary requirements during the registration process on our website.

Yes. Optus Stadium is a fully inclusive and accessible venue.

1. Parking: Free parking in the stadium precinct Marlee Loop car park.

2. Public Transport: Armadale Line trains stop at Perth Stadium Station plus buses stop regularly near Matagarup Bridge.

3. Taxi/Rideshare: Conference guests coming to Optus Stadium by taxi or rideshare vehicles can be picked up or dropped off in the Marlee Loop car park.

Carers WA will have our Conference Crew assisting with transfers required from Marlee Loop car park to the entrance to the Stadium.

If you have any specific accessibility concerns or requirements, please email us.

Registrations are prioritised for carers, who are currently registered with Carers WA.

Newly registered carers will be best accommodated, if not possible as an in-person delegate, certainly as an online delegate.