Register Now: https://events.humanitix.com/advocacy-in-action-conference-2026
Program now available
Voices must be heard. The future must include us.
In response to growing concern across the disability community, VALID will reframe our 2026 Advocacy in Action conference to focus squarely on current and planned changes to the NDIS.
“The conference is a powerful opportunity to help plan and drive VALID’s defence of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Our self advocates fought long and hard for inclusion – and will fight to keep it!
Their families also fought for adequate supports and freedom from lifetimes of caring – and we will not allow them to go back in the box!”
Fionn Skiotis, CEO of VALID
Join us for an action-focused event featuring a great line-up of speakers, plus debate, info sharing and strategising for the struggle that clearly lies ahead.
VALID invites members of the disability community, the advocacy sector, people with and without disability, their families and supporters to participate in this critical forum for the future of the NDIS and lives of people with disability.
The 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference will be held on
June 22 & 23, 2026 from 9.00am to 4.30pm each day
at the Novotel Hotel Function Centre (formerly Rydges Bell City) 215 Bell St. Preston VIC.
An optional Social Event will also be held from 4.30pm – 5.30pm on the Monday afternoon. More details below.
Follow the link to register: https://events.humanitix.com/advocacy-in-action-conference-2026
For more information, please contact Christine on Phone: 0475 698 884 or Email: [email protected] or the VALID Office on Phone: (03) 9416 4003 or Email: [email protected]
Key Themes
After robust consultation with self advocates and sector experts, the upcoming Advocacy in Action Conference will now directly respond and prioritise conversations around the NDIS and proposed changes.
As part of the Conference’s updated line-up Maeve Kennedy, CEO of Inclusion Australia will share the National representative organisation’s position on the proposed NDIS changes and how our community can coordinate our concerns and mobilise our impact.
The Conference will also welcome VALID founder and former CEO Kevin Stone AM. As a powerful figure who relentlessly advocated for the implementation of the NDIS, Kevin will critique what the NDIS has become, where it went wrong and the changes that will gut what people with disability and their allies fought so hard for.
More information about the evolving Conference will be shared in the coming days. Follow VALID’s on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates as they happen.
Guest Speakers
Guest Speakers will include:
- Maeve Kennedy – CEO of Inclusion Australia
- Kevin Stone AM – VALID Founder and Disability Advocacy and Policy Expert
- Sara Gingold – Disability Services Consulting, Editor-in-Chief
- Iwan Walters MP – Parliamentary Secretary for Disability
- Dan Stubbs – The new Victorian Public Advocate
- Naomi Anderson – Villamanta, Legal Practice Manager
- Julia Hawkins – National Centre for Excellence in Intellectual Health
The Program
The Advocacy in Action Conference Program is now available. Download the full program here: Program.
Monday Afternoon Social Event
This year we are hosting social event on the first day of Novotel Hotel Function Centre the conference. This is optional.
- Held from 4.30pm – 5.30pm on Monday June 22
- Includes drinks and nibbles
- Cost $40 per person
- Must be booked when you register
Registration Information
All the details including refunds are available in the Easy Read info in the Terms & Conditions so don’t forget to read or download this doc.
- Catering: lunch and morning and afternoon teas are provided
- Please advise of your dietary requirements when you register
- Registration is not confirmed until it is paid
- Registrations not paid by June 15th 2026 will be cancelled
- Please advise of access and support needs upon registration
Ticket Types
We’re extending the Early Bird discount, and adding significant discounts for NDIS participants and family members to attend. We also have some sponsored (free) tickets – but you need to be quick!
For more information, please contact Christine on Phone: 0475 698 884 or Email: [email protected] or the VALID Office on Phone: (03) 9416 4003 or Email: [email protected]
Concession
Monday June 22 Early bird $100 / Regular $150 / NDIS Participants $20
Tuesday June 23 Early bird $100 / Regular $150 / NDIS Participants $20
Both Days not inc. Social Event Early bird $180 / Regular $280
Social Event Only $40 / NDIS Participants $20
Concession registration fees are available to people who have Pension Concession Cards or Health Care Cards.
Full Rate
Monday June 22 Early bird $150 / Regular $200
Tuesday June 23 Early bird $150 / Regular $200
Both Days not inc. Social Event Early bird $280 / Regular $370
Social Event Only $40 / NDIS Participants $20
Catering Only (Support Worker or Family Member)
Monday June 22 $40
Tuesday June 23 $40
Both Days not including Social Event $80
Social Event Only $40 / Family members $20
Support workers do not pay a registration fee, only a catering fee of $40 per day.
Please Note: to be eligible for Support Worker catering only fee the worker or family member needs to be providing direct care, supervision, and support, without which the participant with disability wouldn’t be able to attend.
Parking
Parking is available in the Novotel underground carpark during conference hours as part of your registration fee.
To make sure you go into the correct carpark, please read the parking info sheet.
Public Transport
Tram
You can take the Number 86 tram to 45 Bell St/Plenty Road Preston, which is a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
Train
Bell Station is the closest train station, a 10-minute walk from the Novotel hotel, or Preston Station is a 17-minute walk.
Bus
Buses like 251, 513, 514, 552, and 553 also stop near the Novotel
More Information
For more information, please contact Christine on Phone: 0475 698 884 or Email: [email protected] or the VALID Office on Phone: (03) 9416 4003 or Email: [email protected]
Thankyou to our Sponsors
Follow the link to register:
https://events.humanitix.com/advocacy-in-action-conference-2026