Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences - ACDHS

International Allied Health Leader Announced as ACDHS Symposium 2026 Keynote Speaker

The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences is pleased to announce that Jacqui Lunday OBE, New Zealand's Chief Allied Health Officer, will deliver a keynote address at the ACDHS Symposium 2026 in Perth.

An internationally respected allied health leader, Jacqui has held senior roles including technical advisor to the World Health Organization and Chief Health Professions Officer for the Scottish Government. She was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to healthcare and the health professions.

In her current role with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Jacqui provides strategic leadership for New Zealand's allied health, scientific and technical workforce.

Her keynote will offer valuable international insights into allied health workforce challenges, opportunities and leadership in contemporary healthcare systems.

ACDHS Symposium 2026
21-22 October 2026
The University Club of Western Australia, Perth.

Expressions of Interest are now open for the new National Allied Health Clinical Education Community of Practice.

Established by the Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences (ACDHS), this national network will bring together academic and professional staff from member universities to strengthen clinical education across Australia.

The Community of Practice will provide opportunities to share knowledge, develop resources, contribute to national projects, and collaborate on key issues including placements, simulation, supervision, student readiness, evaluation, and workforce outcomes.

Whether you're an experienced leader in clinical education or simply keen to connect and contribute, we'd love to hear from you.

EOIs close 3 July 2026

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4eKrpT7

ACDHS MEMBERS - Enhance Your Health Advocacy Skills at the 2026 ACDHS Symposium

ACDHS is pleased to offer a pre-Symposium workshop, Health Advocacy - Build Your Skills, presented by Adjunct Professor Michael Moore AM PhD.

This practical workshop is designed to strengthen advocacy skills in the area of health and to provide tools for Deans of Health Sciences, and through them, to encourage allied health professionals to play a key role in health advocacy. Learn how to effectively influence at the policy level.

Michael Moore AM PhD is currently Chair of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) International Taskforce on Immunization Policy. He is a Past President of the WFPHA (2016-18) and the former CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia. He is widely recognised for his leadership in public health advocacy and policy development.

Places are limited. ACDHS Members are encouraged to register for the workshop in advance to secure their place.

For workshop details and Symposium registration, visit:
https://acdhs.edu.au/2026-acdhs-symposium/

Calling all Early Career Researchers!

Have you recently completed research with relevance to allied health education, workforce development, policy, practice, or innovation?

The ACDHS Early Career Researcher Showcase offers an opportunity to share your work with Deans, senior academic leaders, and key stakeholders from across Australia at the ACDHS Symposium 2026 in Boorloo/Perth.

Successful applicants will present their research in a 3-minute thesis-style format and will be eligible for a $1,500 scholarship to assist with travel and attendance.

This is a valuable opportunity to raise the profile of your research, connect with sector leaders, and contribute to national conversations shaping the future of allied health education.

Learn more and submit your abstract: https://bit.ly/3RqDxzG

*Call for Abstracts: Early Career Researcher Showcase*

The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences is pleased to invite Early Career Researchers to participate in the ACDHS Symposium 2026, to be held at The University Club of Western Australia on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October, through submission of an abstract for the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Showcase.

The showcase provides an opportunity for Early Career Researchers from ACDHS member institutions to present to ACDHS members and key stakeholders during the Symposium in Boorloo/Perth.

Successful applicants will be invited to deliver a 3-minute thesis-style presentation and will be eligible for a $1,500 scholarship to support their attendance.

Review the eligibility criteria and submission guidelines available here: https://bit.ly/3RqDxzG

*𝗘𝗢𝗜 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱*

Don’t miss your chance to help shape the future of allied health education, research, and policy in australia.

Due to strong interest, the deadline for Expressions of Interest to join the new ACDHS Expert Advisory Panel has now been extended.

We are still welcoming EOIs from experts across all allied health disciplines, including audiology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, and those with interdisciplinary expertise.

This is an opportunity to contribute to national leadership, advocacy, policy development, and sector-wide collaboration across the allied health sector.

NEW DEADLINE: Sunday 24 May 2026

Find out more and submit your EOI via our short online form:

https://lnkd.in/gGHVyEuK

We simply ask for a short statement outlining your interest, along with a brief bio highlighting your experience and areas of expertise.

Bio examples can be viewed here:

https://lnkd.in/g-wV-VnZ

Please share with colleagues and networks who may be interested.

*Opportunity to help shape the Future of Allied Health*

The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from experts across member universities to join a new Expert Advisory Panel.

This is an exciting chance to contribute to national policy, research, and advocacy, and help drive leadership across the allied health sector.

NEW DEADLINE: 10:00am, Monday 18 May 2026

You can find out more and submit your interest via our short online EOI form here: https://lnkd.in/gGHVyEuK

We simply ask for a short statement about your interest, along with a brief bio highlighting your experience and areas of expertise. For bio examples: https://lnkd.in/g-wV-VnZ

Apply now or share with your network.

The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences supports the call from Allied Health Professions Australia to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment to include all allied health students.

A national petition launched by Dr Helen Haines and David Pocock highlights the urgent need for equitable placement support across the health workforce.

Allied health students undertake extensive mandatory unpaid placements, often relocating or reducing paid work in order to complete their training. These placements are essential to workforce preparation, yet they can place significant financial pressure on students.

Expanding the Commonwealth Prac Payment to include allied health would be a practical step toward:

• reducing financial hardship for students

• supporting completion of essential clinical placements

• strengthening Australia’s future health workforce

Equitable placement support must be a national priority.

If you would like to support the campaign to end placement poverty for allied health students, please consider signing and sharing the petition with your networks.

https://lnkd.in/gDBRsEwu

Opportunity to help shape the Future of Allied Health

The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from experts across member universities to join a new Expert Advisory Panel.

This is an exciting chance to contribute to national policy, research, and advocacy, and help drive leadership across the allied health sector.

Apply by 5:00pm, Friday 1 May

You can find out more and submit your interest via our short online EOI form here: https://lnkd.in/g_Zwcv_S

We simply ask for a short statement about your interest, along with a brief bio highlighting your experience and areas of expertise. For bio examples: https://lnkd.in/g6vrbw9g

Apply now or share with your network.

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Call for Nominations: ACDHS Board Director

The Australian Council of Deans of Health Sciences is inviting nominations for an elected Director position on the ACDHS Board.

This is an opportunity for senior leaders in allied health education to contribute to the strategic direction and governance of the national council representing health sciences faculties across Australia.

Eligible candidates must hold a senior leadership role within an ACDHS member institution and have strategic responsibility for allied health professional education.

Nominations close: 5:00pm (AEST), Monday 6 April 2026.

Members are encouraged to consider nominating a suitable candidate to help guide ACDHS’s work in advancing allied health education, research, and workforce development.

Learn more and access the nomination materials:

https://acdhs.edu.au/call-for-nominations-acdhs-board-director/