FRSA National Conference 2025
The FRSA National Conference is heralded as a highlight event for the Family and Relationship Services network and is one of the largest annual gatherings of practitioners, academics and policy makers working to support children, families and communities. This ‘not to be missed’ event will feature a number of highly acclaimed keynote presenters, as well as Federal Ministers and sector leaders with a focus on delivering the most effective services to children, families and young people.
As social service organisations we are always at the cutting edge of emerging trends and changes in society – for the FRS sector, especially for vulnerable children, families and communities.
The theme for the FRSA National Conference 2025 is Safe, Strong and Thriving and will be held at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park on 19-22 May 2025.
FRSA’s vision is an Australia where children, families and communities are safe, strong and thriving. At National Conference 2025 we ask: What will it take to bring this vision to life in a complex and ever-changing environment? How do we navigate complexity, change – and the unexpected – to ensure our services work for children, families and communities? Importantly, how do we ensure that our sector is safe, strong and thriving so that we can realise our vision for the people we work with every day?
Family and relationship services are designed as early intervention universal services – available to all people living in Australia, as and when they need them. However, people are increasingly presenting to family and relationship services with complex and intersecting needs, exacerbated by the cost of living and housing crisis, and overloaded tertiary service systems. In this context, what does early intervention mean? And, how do we ensure access for all? We ask presenters to reflect on this context as they prepare an abstract that responds to the theme, Safe, Strong and Thriving.
The FRSA National Conference 2025 provides a platform to showcase and learn from on the ground practice, policy, and research. It will provide an opportunity to identify the strengths we can build on and the opportunities we can harness to meet the changing needs of children, families and communities.
The FRSA Conference is heralded as a highlight event for the Family and Relationship Services Network and will, as always, deliver a prime opportunity to showcase the impressive work of the sector.
SCAM ALERT ⚠️
SEE MORE DETAILS BELOW
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - OPEN
Family & Relationship Services Australia (FRSA) invites you to submit an abstract to present at the FRSA National Conference 2025.
We welcome abstracts that speak to the conference theme – Safe, Strong and Thriving.
In preparing and making your submission, you are asked to select and position your abstract within one of the six following streams:
- The first 1000 days
(e.g. the preconception period (preconception to birth), the birth of a child, impact on family relationships and transitions into parenting). - Schooling years
(e.g. school readiness, transitions into and across primary and secondary schools/school years, young people with significant caring responsibilities and transitioning out of school into training, tertiary education or employment). - Children at the Centre
(e.g. child-focused and child-inclusive practice, supporting children’s participation in policy development, children’s participation in service design and evaluation, child safety and wellbeing). - Relationship breakdown and re-partnering
(e.g. family/domestic violence, family legal services, family dispute resolution, men’s behavioural change programs, parenting after separation, sole-parenting and sustaining the best interests and wellbeing of children). - Family Domestic Violence
(e.g. identifying and managing family violence risk, child maltreatment, perpetrator interventions, adolescents using violence in the home, elder abuse) - Across the lifecourse
(e.g. diverse and changing family structures, developing and maintaining respectful relationships, social connection, intersectionality and inclusion)
We are a rich and diverse society, and FRSA encourages presentations that show our sector’s work with different cohorts and communities – First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse peoples, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people – and other cohorts who may face particular challenges in accessing safe and appropriate services.
To submit your Abstract, please review the Abstracts Guidelines & Assessment Criteria below which outlines all abstract information and assessment criteria and submit your Abstract via the button below.
For more information about submitting an abstract, please contact FRSA Manager of Policy and Research, Ms Robyn Clough at policy@frsa.org.au or (02) 6162 1811.
All Abstracts must be submitted online by 5.00pm AEDT, Wednesday 13 November 2024.
30 MINUTE PRESENTATIONS
Concurrent sessions are 30 minutes in length, including Q&A and can be interactive with the audience or with minimal interaction. Abstracts for a 30-minute presentation must be between 200 and 400 words in length.
SYMPOSIUM OPTION
Staying within the Abstract guidelines outlined above, you may team up with three to five others to submit an abstract for a symposium. A symposium comprises a series of presentations organised around a common theme to engage the audience in critical reflection on key issues and questions relevant to the topic area. The duration of a symposium is around 90 minutes to allow time for three to five presenters to share and for discussion among attendees.
We encourage symposiums in which presenters and moderators/discussants represent different perspectives, such as from policymakers, practitioners, and academics.
To submit an abstract for a symposium there is no need for each presenter to submit an abstract. Each symposium requires a primary organiser who is the chair and will serve as the single point of contact in the submission process. Submissions must detail who the primary organiser is and who the other presenters are. The primary organiser must collate and order the presenters’ ideas in a way that will best engage attendees, with the symposium abstracts being between 500 and 800 words.
IMPORTANT DATES
13 November 2024 – Call for abstracts close
20 December 2024 – Notification of acceptance begins.
7 February 2025– Speaker registrations close – after this date speakers will need to pay the appropriate Early Bird or Standard rate.
3 March 2025 – Early bird registrations close.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Your abstract will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- The extent to which the author demonstrates an understanding of the impact of service delivery on clients and/or service providers in the chosen conference stream.
- The extent to which the presentation reflects the conference theme.
- The extent to which the presentation will be engaging and informative.
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Notifications of acceptance will be sent via e-mail to the submitting author from Monday 20 December 2024.
Accepted abstracts will be published on the FRSA Conference website and in the FRSA 2025 Conference Delegate Handbook and App.
GENERAL POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
- All abstracts must contain original work of the presenting author(s).
- A presenting author must submit the abstract.
- Presenters named in the abstract as speakers should have considerable presentation skills.
- Abstracts must be submitted online by 5:00pm AEDT Wednesday 13 November 2024.
- Abstracts will not be accepted via fax, mail, email or USB/CD.
- All required fields on the online abstract submission form must be completed.
- Those submitting abstracts must ensure that they have the support of their organisation/employer.
- This is a face-to-face event; it is expected that presentations will be made in person.
- Acceptance of papers will be on the basis of blind peer review (i.e. your name and organisation will not be known to assessors).
- The Conference Managers will not be held responsible for abstract submissions not received via the website or for submission errors caused by Internet service outages, hardware or software delays, power outages or unforeseen events.
- Abstracts cannot be amended or replaced once the call for abstracts closes at 5:00pm AEDT, Wednesday 13 November 2024.
- Ensure that you DO NOT leave any abstracts in the Draft stage by the close date, abstracts left in the ‘Draft’ stage will not be reviewed.
OPTION TO SUBMIT A LONGER PAPER FOR THE FRSA E-JOURNAL
Should your abstract be accepted, you will be invited to submit a longer paper for peer review. Should your longer paper be accepted, it will be published in the FRSA 2025 National Conference e-Journal. Previous e-Journals can be seen here.
For technical queries regarding the portal, please get in touch with our Conference Organiser at frsa@kaigi.com.au.
SPEAKERS - COMING SOON
REGISTRATION
Registration for the FRSA 2025 National Conference is opening 20 November 2024.
Please note that all persons intending to attend the Conference must register, including invited speakers, chairpersons and media. Please register via the buttons below.
Early Bird Registration Fee* Until 3 March 2025
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates | |
| Complete Conference Experience – Including dinner | $1,095.00 | $1,395.00 |
| Conference Only – No dinner | $1,020.00 | $1,320.00 |
* To be entitled to the early bird registration fee you must have registered and paid by 3 March 2025.
Standard Registration Fee From 4 March 2025
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates | |
| Complete Conference Experience – Including dinner | $1,295.00 | $1,595.00 |
| Conference Only – No dinner | $1,220.00 | $1,520.00 |
Onsite Registration Fee Applicable** From 19 May 2025
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates | |
| Complete Conference Experience – Including dinner | $1,445.00 | $1,745.00 |
| Conference Only – No dinner | $1,370.00 | $1,670.00 |
**Registration received within this time period prior to the Conference going onsite receive an additional fee of $150.00
Speaker Registration*** opens 20 December 2024
All speakers must be registered by 14 March 2025
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates | |
| Speaker Complete Conference Experience – Including dinner | $985.00 | $1,170.00 |
| Speaker Conference Only – No dinner | $910.00 | $1,095.00 |
***After 3 March 2025 Early Bird and Standard rates apply to Speakers
Pre-Conference Workshops – FRSA MEMBERS ONLY
| Member Rates | |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Workshop | $175.00 |
| Family Law Workshop (All Day) | $175.00 |
| TBC | $175.00 |
*Please note if not pre-registered for the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Workshop you will NOT be able to register or attend on the day – due to limited spaces
Group Registrations
FRSA is pleased to offer FRSA Members the opportunity to register five (5) participants and receive the sixth registration complimentary. To be eligible for the complimentary registration, you must register your five (5) participants using the link below. Instructions on how to register your complimentary registration will be provided on the confirmation email. Interested in becoming an FRSA Member? Visit our Membership page.
Please note: When registering the 6 for 5, to receive the 6th registration free the same registration type must be purchased for the entire group.
Need help? Please contact the Conference Secretariat via frsa@kaigi.com.au, or phone on 02 6198 3218.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS - COMING SOON
(FRSA MEMBERS ONLY)
Pre-conference Workshops will be held on Monday, 19 May 2025, commencing at 10am. More details on each workshop coming soon. Please note all Pre-Conference Workshops are for FRSA Members only.
VENUE INFORMATION
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
161 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000
One of Sydney’s most celebrated five-star hotels, Sheraton Grand Sydney, Hyde Park reinvents traditional luxury to present a more refined and residential experience. Located opposite Hyde Park and on the doorstep of Sydney’s luxury and premium shopping precinct, Sheraton Grand Sydney offers a fashionable and timeless base in the heart of Sydney.
TRAVEL, DINING & SIGHTSEEING
Travel
From the Airport
The Conference venue is 12 kilometres from Sydney Airport and a short walk from Hyde Park, Park Street, Stand C bus stop, St. James Metro Station or St. James Train Station.
Train
Car rental
To hire a car from Sydney Airport, please visit their website.
Taxi
Venue Parking
Self-parking is available for $60 overnight. Valet parking is available for $85. The secure car park entry is via Castlereagh Street, it has 8 electric charging stations.
Getting around the city
Bus
Bus services operate day and night throughout Sydney and surrounding areas. Buses form a key part of Sydney’s public transport system, connecting all areas of the city, including those without rail or water transport. There are also NightRide services replacing most train routes between midnight and 4:30am.
Trains
Sydney trains run frequent and reliable services in Sydney and surrounding areas. Sydney’s main terminus for local and regional trains and buses is Central Station at Railway Square, close to Chinatown. Trains operate North to the CBD and across the harbour to North Sydney and beyond, as well as east to Bondi Junction and South past and including Sydney Airport. Sydney train maps and train timetables can be found at Transport NSW.
Light Rail
Sydney light rail operates thorugh popular shopping and entertainment districts. The L1 Inner West Light Rail network operates in both directions between Central Station and Dulwich Hill in Sydney’s West. The CBD and South East Light Rail includes the L2 Randwick Line connecting Circular Quay to Randwick and the L3 Kingsford Line between Circular Quay and Junior Kingsford. Visit Transport NSW for more information and for a Sydney Light Rail map.
Metro
Sydney Metro is Australia’s first fully accessible, automated driverless train network. Experience fast, reliable and frequent services that enable you to just turn up and go. Fully accessible stations are designed to connect Sydney’s north-west, city and south-west.
Ferries
Ferries provide a fast and convenient way to cross the harbour, as well as offering a fantastic vantage point of the city. From Circular Quay you can take the Manly Fast Ferry or F1 to Manly, the F2 to Taronga Zoo and the F4 to Watsons Bay and Rose Bay.
Dining
Sydney is, without a doubt, one of the world’s great food cities. You can dine at three-hatted restaurants where the chef is as big a star as the food. Or chow down on authentic Asian cuisine in a food hall and have change left from $20. Sip cocktails made by the globe’s best mixologists in a hidden bar or enjoy a cold beer in a neighbourhood pub where everyone’s your new best mate. Your taste buds will be eternally grateful.
Sightseeing
You’ll discover wonderful places to visit in Sydney, from sun-kissed beaches to fascinating heritage and amazing attractions. The city fans out from beautiful Sydney Harbour to Bondi Beach in the east, Palm Beach in the north, fun adventures in the west and Australia’s oldest national park in the south.
From the iconic sails of the Opera House to the golden sands at Bondi Beach, Sydney is brimming with spectacular icons. Discover the city’s unmissable attractions by ticking these experiences off your bucket list.
ACCOMMODATION - COMING SOON
Stay tuned for accomodation options at the Conference venue and it’s surrounds with flexible terms and conditions exclusively for attendees of the FRSA 2025 National Conference.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The FRSA Conference is a truly national event, expecting to attract over 600+ delegates from organisations in every state and territory.
The Conference has established a reputation for delivering high quality speakers and presentations relevant to a range of individuals and organisations working in the family and relationship sector. Sponsorship will greatly enhance your organisation’s profile within this sector as well as allowing you to be seen supporting the work of family and relationship services.
Conference delegates have unique exposure to key products and information. In the past, the event has attracted sponsorship from funding bodies, suppliers and training and research institutes. The exhibition space at the FRSA Conference is one of the largest in the sector, with three days of exposure to delegates.
Sponsoring this conference will enable you to:
- Reach up to 600+ senior executives, practitioners, and academics;
- Support the work of family and relationship services;
- Connect to leading Australian NGOs/community organisations;
- Launch or promote new products;
- Invest in knowledge sharing and practice development;
- Showcase your services or contribution to this sector; and
- Expand your networks to create opportunities.
For further information and to discuss how we can assist you to tailor a sponsorship package to ensure your organisation gains maximum benefit from this opportunity, please contact the FRSA Team at events@frsa.org.au, call the FRSA office 02 6162 1811 or complete the form below.
Sponsorship Form
Keep up with the latest Conference news including call for abstracts, registration, accommodation details, special offers for delegates and more!
Just subscribe to our conference email updates below.
SCAM/PHISHING EMAIL ALERT
Family & Relationship Services Australia (FRSA) is aware that there have been scam/phishing emails doing the rounds offering the FRSA Conference attendee list for purchase.
Please be aware these offers are fraudulent. These scammers do not have any relationship with FRSA or our assisting Conference Organisation, Kaigi Conferencing, and no data breach has been detected that would enable the senders of these emails to access the data they are attempting to sell.
FRSA is very careful with individual/personal data we capture as part of our event offerings. We specifically ask delegates about how we can use their data and seek their permission confirming what information can and can’t be used when building delegate lists. We do not share, rent or sell our email lists.
If you receive an email or phone call about the conference that appears suspicious, please let us know via email events@frsa.org.au.