IEP's flagship 'anti-conference' returns for its third year, tackling the change reshaping employability.

After the incredible success of 2025, the IEP Summit Australia is back for its third year — bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever. Sponsored by The Busy Group and Beam, this year's theme couldn't be more timely: Thriving Through Change – Talent, Technology, and the Future Workforce.

If you work anywhere near employability, recruitment, or workforce development, this is the one day of the year built entirely around the conversations that matter — with the people who can actually move them forward.

Let's be clear about what this isn't. It's not a lecture-hall conference where you watch slides scroll past and file out with a tote bag and no new thinking. The IEP calls it an "anti-conference" for a reason — a future-focused day of real conversations, actionable insights, and connections that actually change how you work. 

Hosted at Promenade Docklands, you'll also be treated to spectacular views of Victoria Harbour and the Melbourne city skyline. There will also be plenty of delicious food and beverages to enjoy throughout the day and well into the night!

What's On the Agenda

🛥️ Location: Harbourview Room

☀️☕ Coffee, Tea and Networking | 9.15AM

🎤 Welcome and Introduction | 9.45AM

Speakers: Zac Ashkanasy FIEP and Scott Parkin FIEP

🗣️ Session 1: The Changing Face of a Candidate | 10AM

Speaker: Bernard Salt AM (The Demographics Group) | Followed by IEP Fellows Panel 

Best selling author and one of Australia’s leading social commentators, Bernard Salt, sets the scene on Australia's shifting workforce, followed by a panel on the pressures facing young people, the rise of mature-age participation, and what genuine workforce inclusion looks like — with perspectives spanning youth, mature-age employment and neurodiversity.

☕ Morning Tea Break | 11.30AM

🔥 Session 2: The Changing Nature of Recruitment | 11.45AM

Speakers: Julie Watkins (UniSuper) & Jodie Haydon (Regis Aged Care) | Followed by IEP Fellows Panel

A discussion on how recruitment is evolving to meet the changing needs and expectations of candidates. Topics include AI in hiring, skills versus qualifications, inclusive recruitment practices, and the retention challenges facing the employability sectors. Expect diverse perspectives on balancing traditional HR approaches with emerging workforce trends.

🍱 Lunch | 1.15PM

💙 Session 3 - What Happens When You Have No Dedicated HR Function | 2PM

Speaker: Rasmus Rossi FIEP (Kontakt - Arenakoncernen) | Followed by IEP Fellows Panel

Recruitment is undergoing a fundamental shift, and Rasmus believes this should also make us question one of the most established assumptions in modern organisations: should recruitment and skills assessment primarily be an HR responsibility?

☕ Afternoon Tea Break | 3.30PM

🛠️ Session 4: Skills, Competencies & Professionalisation | 3.45PM

Speaker: Beth Bundy (Swinburne University)

A hands-on session built on IEP's latest skills gaps research. Your input here will directly feed into IEP's ongoing work defining core competencies for the profession — a genuine chance to help shape where this industry is headed.

🌉 Location: Waterfront Room

🥂🍻 Pre-Dinner Drinks | 5.30PM

🥘 Networking Dinner and Awards | 6:15pm - 10PM

An evening of dinner (all inclusive), light entertainment, and the Fellow of the Year toast — hosted by a distinguished cybersecurity leader whose identity stays under Chatham House Rules until the night itself.

Meet the Speakers

Bernard Salt AM — The Demographics Group

One of Australia's leading social commentators, Bernard is a best-selling author of six books, TV host, and podcaster who has spent 20+ years decoding the demographic and social trends shaping Australian life and work. After two decades as a partner at a global advisory firm, he founded The Demographics Group. A columnist with The Australian for over 20 years and an AM recipient, Bernard is the mind behind viral concepts like the "goat's cheese curtain" — and the person who put "smashed avocado" on the world's radar.

"I am so looking forward to the IEP Summit in Melbourne. I will be talking about jobs on the rise, the impact of AI, and the changing nature of work including the role of WFH, the coming of the 4-day week, and the challenges of managing mental health concerns in the workforce.

"Now is the time for big, bold thinking not just about work but the way of life we want to build and bequeath to the next generation of workers.

"And, if you do come along, make sure you come up and say hello!"

Julie Watkins — Chief People Officer, UniSuper

Julie brings 25+ years of HR leadership across financial services, healthcare, consumer goods and professional services, spanning multinational, Asia Pacific and Australian markets. Known as a straight shooter and change advocate, she's passionate about building future leaders and workplaces where people can do their best work. Julie holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma of Business from Monash, and is accredited with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jodie Haydon — Chief People Officer, Regis Aged Care

Jodie joined Regis in August 2024, leading talent acquisition, employee engagement, learning and development, employee relations and workplace health and safety. She brings deep HR and people leadership experience from senior roles at Shell, Viva Energy Australia and Energy Australia. Jodie holds a Bachelor of Economics, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and serves as a Non-Executive Director at Afford Disability Services.

Rasmus Rossi FIEP — Kontakt (Arenakoncernen)

A Swedish entrepreneur and education innovator with 25+ years at the intersection of employability, adult education and digital transformation, Rasmus previously led one of Sweden's largest employment services organisations. He's a vocal challenger of conventional HR thinking, arguing that people leadership belongs with managers, not a separate function. Now Co-Founder of ScaleApp Education, he explores how AI can amplify — not replace — human potential in learning and work.

"I’m particularly looking forward to comparing the Australian experience with what we are seeing in Sweden, the Nordic countries and Europe more broadly. Many of the challenges are remarkably similar: employers reporting skills shortages while significant groups remain outside the labour market, rapidly changing skills requirements, demographic change and the growing impact of AI. Yet countries have chosen very different ways of organising employment services and working with providers.

"The most valuable part of an international Summit is therefore not simply sharing success stories. It is being able to compare systems honestly, understand what has actually produced measurable results, and take those lessons back into our own markets. I’m also very interested in the professionalisation of the employability workforce and how we can strengthen the skills, methods and status of the people who work every day to help others into sustainable employment."

Beth Bundy — Chief People Officer, Swinburne University 

Beth Bundy is Chief People Officer at Swinburne University of Technology and an executive leader with experience across higher education, technology, financial services, professional services and the not-for-profit sector. Throughout her career in Australia and New Zealand she has led workforce transformation, organisational change and people strategy initiatives, including the redesign of People & Culture functions and the development of workforce capability, leadership and career frameworks that have helped organisations build future-ready workforces.

Passionate about the connection between people and organisational performance, Beth has helped organisations respond to changing workforce expectations, emerging technologies and evolving skills needs by bringing together people, culture and strategy to achieve sustainable organisational outcomes.

What You Will Take Away from the Day

Building on the success of IEP Summit Australia 2025 and the record-breaking IEP Summit UK 2026, this year's Summit also champions global collaboration, with international colleagues bringing broader perspectives to the sector's strategic agenda. Whether you're in front-line employment services, corporate HR, policy or workforce strategy, this is your platform to:

• Connect with top industry leaders and forward-thinking peers
• Explore cutting-edge policy, practice and innovation
• Advance your career with insights you can act on
• Influence the future of employability in Australia

"At a time of major reform across employment services and the skills sector, there has never been a more important time for professionals to come together and learn from one another. The IEP Australia Summit provides a rare opportunity to hear from sector leaders, explore practical solutions and connect with colleagues from across Australia and New Zealand." — Zac Ashkanasy, Principal, Global Head of Higher Education, Nous Group

Beyond the Summit

Beyond the discussions, debates and workshops, attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the forces reshaping employability, recruitment and workforce participation; fresh ideas you can apply within your own organisations; meaningful connections with peers and sector leaders; and a stronger sense of how you can adapt, influence and thrive through change. 

The Summit is designed to help you make sense of what's changing, discover practical approaches being used across the sector, and return to work with new perspectives and renewed confidence.

What Last Year's Attendees Said

💙 "The level of audience engagement really stood out. It wasn't just a series of presentations, there was opportunity to engage with speakers and panel members, ask questions, challenge ideas and hear different perspectives."

🩵 "Speakers really knew their subjects and came across really positively even when talking about difficult times ahead. I think the level of delivery was spot-on which gave a positive buzz to the whole event."

💙 "This was probably one of the most well-organised and positive welfare to work events I've been to in a while. It is not easy finding the right level of information and guidance with an event like this but I think the team at IEP really achieved a brilliant job."

🩵 "Really well organised, brilliant deliveries totally relevant for our industry. I would recommend and attend again."

Secure Your Seat & Accommodation Deals

Spots are limited and going fast! Hit the Register button now to reserve your ticket and avoid missing out on one of the biggest employability events of the year.

IEP Fellows and Members receive a major discount.

We’re also pleased to offer some excellent deals on pre‑booked accommodation for attendees. We'll send these to you once you've made a booking. For those of you in Melbourne we can offer car parking deals closer to the date.

Want to pay by invoice or in up to 3 installments? Contact karin.ridgeway@iemployability.org to arrange, or if you have any questions about IEP Summit Australia.