IPAA
Events
IPAA runs a comprehensive events program on the big issues and challenges faced by Australia’s public sector.
Here’s a taste of what’s coming up.

Women in Public Service Leadership
For over ten years this conference has provided fresh inspiration and timely insights for thousands of dynamic and motivated women who, seeking senior leadership or not, are committed to driving the changes necessary for a gender balanced leadership future. Male allies have been few in number but those who have attended are ahead of the game in ensuring their effectiveness and relevance as the working world evolves.
In 2023 delegates are assured of a program featuring lively and engaging keynotes, leading researchers, and a line-up of panellists engaged specifically to reflect and provide insights into the many stages of a leadership journey. A program that will address the problem of depth in the leadership pool, a program that will continue a record of inspiring and informing that saw delegate satisfaction ratings exceed 90% in 2022.
21 September 2023
9:15AM – 4:00PM
Optus Stadium: Riverview Rooms (Gate D) | 333 Victoria Park Drive Burswood WA 6100

EA SERIES: THE CONTEMPORARY EA
Step into the future of administrative excellence at this special EA Series event. Hear from an impressive panel of executive assistants as they share real-world experiences and their personal insights into elevating skills to embrace your worth and unlock pathways to a successful future.
The panellists are expert EAs from across the public sector who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience from their extensive careers.
At the event, you will also have the opportunity to hear about the outstanding career of our special guest speaker, Bev Sims PSM, former EA to a number of deparment Secretaries.
Don’t miss the chance to unleash your potential, redefine your impact and pave the way for your success as a contemporary executive assistant.
21 September 2023
5:30PM – 6:30PM
National Gallery of Australia

Annual Budget Briefing Breakfast with Michael Coutts-Trotter
Your opportunity to hear directly from the Secretary of Treasury about how the budget will affect your work in the year ahead.
Held within days of the new budget being tabled in Parliament, our annual Budget Briefing Breakfast is your exclusive opportunity to network with your senior executive colleagues while learning about the government’s priorities and investments for the new financial year.
22 September 2023
7:30AM – 8:55AM
Hilton Sydney

SAVE THE DATE: STEWARDS ON THE COUCH – WHO’S UP NEXT?
Professionalism, trust, pride, and value in public service. The next steward to sit down with us is in a unique position to discuss these essential capabilities for the public purpose profession in Queensland.
This event will be a must attend for anyone keen to learn about the career journey, values and vision of one of the state’s leading public purpose stewards.
More to come soon!
3 October 2023
Level 41, 1 William Street, Brisbane

Premier’s Address to the Public Sector 2023
In October, the South Australian Premier, the Hon. Peter Malinauskas, will take to the stage to make his second ‘Address to the Public Sector’. During this event, the Premier will present updates on the progress made and his economic and policy priorities for 2023 and the future. Discussion topics will range from his government’s world-first Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act and AUKUS nuclear submarines to our state-wide housing plan, SA’s comprehensive preschool-to-university education and skills development policies, building and supporting our best-practice public service, and more.
During this event, you will have the opportunity to actively participate by posing your questions directly to the Premier through the Audience Q&A session facilitated by Erma Ranieri, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment and IPAA SA President. Alternatively, you can submit your questions in advance using the Slido platform here (Slido submissions close COB 4th October).
5 October 2023
10:00AM – 11:00AM
Adelaide Oval, William Magarey Room

How to improve wellbeing and productivity at work: On the Couch with Professor Sharon K. Parker
Hear from internationally renowned work design expert Professor Sharon K. Parker on how the principles of good work design can help you and your teams thrive by enhancing and protecting employees’ psychological and physical health. Professor Parker will provide evidence-based practical steps for leaders to support their teams and colleagues to thrive at work.
A John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin University and Director of the Centre for Transformative Work Design (CTWD), Professor Parker aims to transform work and the workplace to protect and promote worker health and well-being, create agile and digitally-ready organisations, and develop worker capability.
You can ask Professor Parker for insights into your specific workplace challenges during an audience Q&A Session or here now via Slido; submissions close on 9th October by close of business.
10 October 2023
10:00AM – 11:00AM
U City Function Room

Gov Gathers: Managers
Are you keen to develop professional networks in the sector but feel you are time-constrained?
Do you want to connect with a senior leader and get career advice that can help take you to the next level?
During this event, you will have the opportunity to hear from Emma Hogan, Secretary of NSW Customer Service. Hear Emma’s insights on thriving in the public sector while balancing conflicting priorities and caring responsibilities.
Build industry relationships and learn how to progress your career to the next level in this casual and short event format.
11 October 2023
4:00PM – 6:00PM
IPAA NSW

Masterclass – Research-Policy Partnerships 2023
This interactive event is designed to help with the development of skills and expertise in collaboration for research-to-policy translation. Participants will explore opportunities for working across research-policy boundaries and building stronger networks.
Module 3 – 23 October, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
SAHMRI Auditorium, Adelaide

2023 SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARDS GALA DINNER
IPAA ACT’s Spirit of Service Awards were established in 2021 to recognise and celebrate public sector initiatives that drive positive change for the Australian community. Drawing on the learnings from our historically popular and successful award programs–the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence and the Public Sector Innovation Awards–these awards aim to share the learnings from major initiatives with the wider public sector and raise the profile of nominating agencies.
The Spirit of Service Awards aims to promote and recognise public sector initiatives that drive positive change for the Australian community. The awards program reflects the leadership and excellence in the public sector.
8 November 2023
6:00PM – 9:30PM
National Arboretum Canberra

Empowered for Purpose
Discover how you can lead with purpose as a woman in the public sector
Join our female for-purpose leader – Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, as she shares personal journeys, successes, and even failures, offering you invaluable lessons to fuel your own path to success.
Tanya will also share her insights for women aspiring to leadership roles, as well as frank reflections on the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives.
Join us at Empowered for Purpose, embrace your potential and redefine what it means to lead with purpose as a woman in the public sector.
This event is an opportunity to network with likeminded women in the sector. Enjoy a light breakfast on arrival followed by an engaging and purposeful discussion with Tanya
10 November 2023
7:00AM – 9:00AM
Holding Redlich

Danjoo Koorliny: Many cultures, one public service
Working with Indigenous knowledge systems to deliver better services for all Western Australians
This seminar will provide you with critical insights, based on leading edge practice, as to how your organisation can embrace First Nations people and knowledge to create policy and services that are more effective for being fully aware of where and who they serve, from conception to delivery.
This session is primarily for those who have a responsibility in their organisation to create policy, to design and improve services and to monitor and update strategic plans.
It will be of interest to people with a commitment to reconciliation and those with responsibility for implementation of reconciliation action plans.
17 November 2023
9:15AM – 12:15PM
TBC