Complex Needs Conference 2026
The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) and ermha365 are proud to host the Complex Needs Conference 2026 funded by the Victorian Government's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). This event is a critical gathering for those committed to supporting people who fall through the gaps of our current service systems.
This conference was inspired by the impactful efforts of the collaboration between ACSO, ermha365 and DFFH to proactively and flexibly respond to the needs of Victorians with complex needs, who benefit from interconnected, innovative service responses that break down barriers to accessing essential services.
Why We Are Meeting
Adults and young people with complex and diverse needs often face significant service gaps. When multiple, interconnected support needs, such as mental health challenges, harmful substance use, homelessness, trauma, and disability, are paired with high-risk behaviours, a single-service approach is rarely enough.
The presence of competing needs makes it challenging to provide a sustained, effective response. Too often, this leads to cycles of disengagement, chronic crisis, and systemic isolation. In 2026, we are meeting to discuss how we can successfully bridge these gaps to ensure everyone has the right supports and the right time.
Our Collective Goal
Whether you are a practitioner, researcher, policy maker, or someone with lived experience, we are united by a shared goal: to improve the systems that support people with complex and diverse needs.
Together, we can drive better practices for adults and young people experiencing barriers in at least one or more of the following areas:
- Mental health
- Trauma
- Personality disorders
- Cognitive disability
- Neurodiversity
- Harmful substance use
- Behaviours of concern (significant risk to self or others)
- Justice involvement and child protection transitions
- Chronic homelessness and housing instability
Your participation is vital in driving change and enhancing support for those caught in cycles of crisis.
The 2026 Complex Needs Conference will take place from 30 September - 2 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Registrations Opening Soon!
Subscribe to our marketing list below and be notified first.
117
Approx.
Speakers
50
Approx.
Presentations
3
Days
2
Networking
Activities
Program
More information on the Complex Needs Conference program will be announced soon. If you would like to present at the Complex Needs Conference, then please visit our Calls for Abstracts Form below which is currently open.
Registration Rates
Early Bird Closes on Friday 28 August 2026
Three-Day Registration
Early Bird $699
Standard $799
The Three-Day Registration Ticket includes attendance to all sessions, and the Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening.
Student Registration
Standard $599
The discounted Student Registration Ticket includes attendance to all sessions, and the Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening.
Single or Two-Day Registration
Single Day $500
Two-Day $600
The Single Day Registration and Two-Day Registration Ticket includes attendance to the day/s nominated to attend when registering only. Welcome Reception tickets can be purchased at $99 per person.
Conference Partners
App
The Complex Needs Conference Organising Committee are pleased to be moving towards a paperless and minimal contact event, providing everything you need via the Conference App.
Download the Conference App to gain more information about our speakers and attendees, while providing a networking platform for all registered participants.
Further details and instructions on how to download the Conference App will be available closer to the event dates. Please note only registered participants, will have access to the Conference App.
FAQs
Registration Cancellation, Refund Policy
Cancellations and amendments must be received in writing to Isabella@alignmentevents.com.au. Cancellations by Friday 21 August 2026 will be accepted and fees refunded less 50% of the registration rate. Cancellations received after this date will be reviewed and reimbursed at the discretion of the Conference Organising Committee. Substitute participants are welcome.
Insurance
Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended that participants take out their own general insurance. It is suggested that the insurance policy should also cover loss of fees/deposit, airfares, accommodation charges, medical expenses, loss or damage to personal property and repatriation expenses.
The insurance should cover loss arising from cancellation of the conference by the organiser or a person's inability to attend due to any reason whatsoever. No responsibility is taken by the conference managers for any person not holding insurance.
Personal Information & Purpose for Information Collected
We recognise that your privacy is very important and we are committed to protecting your personal information provided when registering. The personal information we collect, use, disclose, and otherwise manage will abide by the Privacy ACT 1988 (Privacy Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
Generally, we only use and disclose personal information about you for the purpose for which it was collected. For example:
- Providing conference information and updates
- Providing invoices for conference registration payment
- Notifying receipt of payment
- Confirming adjustments requested by you
If the personal information provided is incomplete and/or inaccurate, we may be unable to provide you with conference related notifications. Please contact Alignment Event Solutions should you not receive a receipt of registration once submitted to ensure we have your correct contact details.
For any media enquiries, please email isabella@alignmentevents.com.au.
Accessibility Inclusiveness
All endeavours will be made to ensure the venue is accessible. If you have any specific requirements, please email isabella@alignmentevents.com.au with individual needs.
Parking & Transportation
When planning your trip to the MCEC, please visit this website for easy and accessible intructions.
The closest carpark is South Wharf Retail Car Park, owned by Wilsons. Click here to pre-book your parking today.
Use and Disclosure
Should you receive an email from Alignment Event Solutions which is not conference related, please email isabella@alignmentevents.com.au or call +61 2 9371 1893 immediately.