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Australian Health Design Conference | 2025 | Design for a Changing World
AHDC2025 will explore how partnerships drive innovation, ensuring healthcare spaces are not just functional but also health-promoting, accessible, and resilient.
AHDC2025 is a forum for all professionals in the Australian health design industry to share knowledge, develop expertise and build relationships across public and private sectors.
Stay tuned for more updates as planning commences.
Speakers and Panelists
Angela Lee
Partner & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Europe and Middle East, HKS
Dr Emily Kirkpatrick
Managing Director, EKology Group
Professor Sarah McGann
Head of the School of Architecture & Built Environment, Deakin University, VIC
Dr Rebecca McLaughlan (PhD)
Senior Lecturer and Researcher, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, Sydney University
Dr Jacqueline Baker (PhD)
Head of Research, Cox
Paul Emmett
Acting Deputy Director-General, Health Infrastructure QLD
Max Sankauskas
Projects Team Leader / Engineering Consultant, Infrastructure, Corporate and System Support Services, Government of SA
Alex Belcastro
Senior Vice President, Northwest Healthcare REIT
Ron Billard
Ron Billard Consulting & Cofounder, Billard Leece Partnership
Joan O'Brien
CEO & Project Co Representative, Exemplar Health, Bendigo Hospital
Jake Howell
Facility Planner, Hunter New England Local Health District – NSW Health
Kate Evans
Clinical Director, Northside Hospital Project at ACT Government!
2025 Theme: Design for a Changing World
As the world evolves, so must the environments we create for healthcare. AHDC2025 will explore how partnerships drive innovation, ensuring healthcare spaces are not just functional but also health-promoting, accessible, and resilient. We invite discussions on projects and ideas—big and small—that push the boundaries of sustainable, technology-driven, and community-focused design. Our key topics will guide presentations and panels, fostering meaningful discussion and debate.
Climate Resilience in ActionThe climate crisis is reshaping healthcare investment. Designers and facility operators are under increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints, improve resilience measures and resources efficiency to respond to extreme weather and environmental change How can we prepare for a climate-resilient future in healthcare? What challenges must Government, industry, and healthcare providers tackle together? How can we accelerate the adoption of climate-adaptive design in healthcare? | Living in the Technological FutureFrom AI-driven diagnostics to virtual care, technology is redefining healthcare. Rethinking physical and digital spaces to support emerging care models is imperative to enhance accessibility, efficiency and patient outcomes. Additionally, the growing healthcare workforce deficit is impacting attempts to improve healthcare access. How can virtual care expand healthcare access for underserved communities? How is technology reshaping real-world healthcare design projects? How can we enrich personal interactions and care through technology? | Promoting Healthy CommunitiesEquitable care goes beyond hospitals, requiring investment in diverse, community-based settings. Health-promotive design can help reduce preventable diseases, improve long-term outcomes, and create inclusive, person-centred spaces. How is healthcare design evolving to meet the needs of primary care, aged care, disability care, and mental health? How can healthcare spaces better support carers and families? How can the built environment foster stronger community engagement in healthcare? | Innovation Through CollaborationWith ageing populations, rising demand, and increasing costs, healthcare investment must be reimagined. Strategic partnerships, integrated precincts, and cost-effective strategies such as refurbishment and adaptive reuse are key to delivering high-value care. What cost-effective design strategies have the greatest impact on health outcomes? How can Government and industry collaborate to deliver more accessible, affordable healthcare? How do we balance affordability with bold innovation in healthcare design? |
Save the DatesMonday 27 October 2025 - Site Visits and Pre-Conference Events (separate tickets) Tuesday 28 October 2025 - Conference Day 1 (8.30am - 5.30pm) and Cocktail Party (5.30-8.00pm) Wednesday 29 October 2025 - Conference Day 2 (8.30am - 5.30pm) U City Adelaide43 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000 AHDC2024 will be held on the traditional Country of the Kaurna people. The Australian Health Design Council respectfully acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and work, all around Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge their wisdom, actions and knowledge in caring for the health of Country and People. | More InformationRegistrationEvent registration is now open! Early Bird pricing will be available until July 31st. Discounted tickets are available to members. AHDC Membership is $220 for 12 months, and includes free access to member events and site visits throughout the year. We encourage active participation by members in shaping the Council and its activities.
Conference EOIExpressions of interest for the conference presentations are now open. EOIs will be accepted throughout May, and late submissions in June may be considered. The Conference sub-committee reviews and selects submissions based on the response to the annual conference theme. We may also contact you regarding other events and webinars besides the conference. Please review the presentation guidelines before submitting. Poster ExhibitionAHDC2025 will showcase research and design from across Australia. Expanding on last year’s exhibition, we are accepting poster submissions from Students, Researchers and Professionals. These posters will be displayed around the conference space, providing a great opportunity to share your work. Please review the guidelines before submitting. PartnershipsAHDC is supported by our Foundation Partners. Becoming a partner provides opportunities to purchase bulk conference tickets and memberships for your team. To find out more, please check out the Partnership Invitation and contact AHDC Partnerships Lead Garry Coff. We will have a limited number of display tables available to Foundation Partners and Event sponsors. The conference does not include a trade show and there will not be space available for large exhibits. Display tables are an opportunity to promote your brand through posters, brochures and smaller samples, as well as connect with delegates during the event breaks. To find out more, please check out the Partnership Invitation and contact AHDC Partnerships Lead Garry Coff. Note: Sponsors have no editorial control over the conference agenda and do not provide financial or material compensation to presenters. AHDC is a registered non-profit organisation. All funds raised are directed towards conference costs and future AHDC events and initiatives. Continuing Professional DevelopmentContinuing Professional Development is available for Project Managers, Engineers and Architects. Registered Architects can log formal CPD points for each session attended (Up to 4 points per day). The session Q&A is an opportunity to allow for feedback and discussion to assist in answering the questions. Please check regulations and recommendations of your registration authority.To receive a certificate of attendance, please provide the following:
Contact DetailsIf you have any questions or concerns, please email conference@aushdc.org.au |
2024 Highlights | What our Attendees Said |
2023 Highlights | 2022 Highlights |
| Join the Australian Health Design Council to become a part of the national health design community. The Australian Health Design Council is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation established in 2011 that provides a forum for all professionals involved in the Australian health design sector to share knowledge, develop expertise, foster research and enhance skills in health facility planning, design and management across both the private and public sectors. Find out more and become a member at www.aushdc.org.au |
