Registration open for APAC's 2026 Community of Practice Conference. Register now!

Community of Practice Conference 2026

A free one-day virtual conference exploring education and training for contemporary practice.

Preparing the Future Psychology Workforce

The APAC Community of Practice Conference brings the sector together to confront today’s challenges, share what’s working and imagine new ways forward.

Join leading voices from across psychology education, practice and regulation in this free one-day virtual conference on Wednesday 4 November from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (AEDT).

Conference Overview

How do we prepare, support and sustain the psychology workforce of the future? 

This year’s theme, Preparing the Future Psychology Workforce, shifts the conversation from exploring emerging challenges to examining how the sector can responsibly develop, support and sustain the future psychology workforce.

The conference will bring together stakeholders from across psychology education, training and practice to explore contemporary challenges, innovation and future workforce preparation.

Join us for a day that will:

  • Bring together sector leaders to share insights on the future of psychology education and training.
  • Explore the capabilities and approaches needed to prepare psychologists for a changing professional environment.
  • Showcase innovation, emerging practice and ideas from across the sector.
  • Offer keynote perspectives and presentations designed to inform, provoke and inspire action.
  • Create space for shared learning and discussion about the responsibilities, values and expectations that should shape the future psychology workforce.

To focus the conversation on practical questions facing the sector, this year’s program is structured around three strategic streams:

  1. Future Capabilities
  2. Sustainable Pathways
  3. Professional Responsibility and Public Trust

Scroll down to explore each stream in more detail.

Strategic Streams

Future Capabilities

What capabilities will future psychologists and psychology educators need?

As psychology practice, education and the wider community continue to change, so too will the capabilities required of the future workforce. This stream looks ahead to how psychology education and training can respond, from evolving approaches to competencies and assessment through to AI and digital capability, graduate outcomes, simulation, innovation and work readiness.

Sustainable Pathways

How do we build, grow and sustain the workforce pipeline without compromising quality or safety?

Preparing the future workforce requires more than developing individual capability. It also requires sustainable pathways through education, training and into professional practice. This stream will explore the systems and models that support those pathways, including placements, supervision, workforce transitions, pathway design, innovation and opportunities to improve scalability and sustainability.

Professional Responsibility and Public Trust

What values, responsibilities and expectations must shape the future workforce?

A future-ready workforce must not only be capable and sustainable, but trusted by the communities it serves. This stream will consider the professional responsibilities that should underpin psychology education, training and practice, including cultural safety and Indigenous knowledges, diversities, ethics and professionalism, professional identity, public expectations, accountability and trust.

Agenda and Speakers

Our agenda and speaker line-up will be announced soon. Please stay tuned for further information.

  • Video transcript