Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools (APACS) National Conference for 2025
20-21st October 2025
Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart, Tasmania
This conference will bring together school psychologists, counsellors, leadership and support staff from across the country, with an aim of fostering professional growth, sharing insights, and developing strategies to improve outcomes for students’ mental health, education and overall wellbeing.
Purpose of the Conference:
Our theme, "Engage, Enrich, Empower”, is designed to nurture minds and inspire growth. We aim to provide a platform for learning and collaboration, offering attendees with valuable workshops, keynote speeches, access to the latest research and networking opportunities.As a small Tasmanian organisation, we are grateful for the opportunity to welcome visitors to our state and are passionate about making this event a success.
Program
Download our full program here
When tickets are purchased delegates are invited to select whether they would like to attend the two-hour EMPOWER workshops (capped at 40 people) or two separate one-hour sessions. Please note, some sessions in the ENGAGE stream are designed primarily for psychologists and allied health professionals engaged in clinical work with young people (these are indicated by “clinical focus”). The ENRICH stream is focused more on any staff working in school communities.
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Welcome Drinks
Registration
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Registration
Welcome
Keynote 1
Morning Tea
Sessions & Workshop
Lunch
Sessions & Workshop
Conference Dinner
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Welcome
Keynote 2
Morning Tea
Sessions & Workshop
Lunch
Sessions & Panel
Close
Conference Tickets & Packages
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2 Day Conference Ticket
- Welcome drinks Sunday 19th October
- Attendance at the conference on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st, including; a full program of engaging speakers, optional workshops, research and expo stalls and daily catering
$800
Early Bird Offer
15% off registration fees, reducing tickets to $680. Enter code EARLYBIRD at checkout to redeem.APACS Early Bird Offer
APACS Affiliates receive 20% off registration fees, reducing tickets to $640. Check recent newsletters for the discount code.* early bird prices are available until 11th April, 2025.
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1 Day Conference Ticket
- Welcome drinks on Sunday 19th October
- Attendance on either Day One or Day Two (Monday 20th or Tuesday 21st of October) including a full program of engaging speakers, optional workshops, research and expo stalls and catering.
$400
Early Bird Offer
15% off registration fees, reducing tickets to $340. Enter code EARLYBIRD at checkout to redeem.APACS Early Bird Offer
APACS Affiliates receive 20% off registration fees, reducing tickets to $320. Check recent newsletters for the discount code.* early bird prices are available until 11th April, 2025.
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Conference Dinner
Delegates are invited to join us for a Dinner Celebration on Monday 21st October.
VENUE: The Atrium at Henry Jones Art Hotel (one of Tasmania’s best event venues).
FOOD: Dinner tickets include a 3-course alternative drop menu; showcasing some of the best local produce that Tasmania has to offer. The menu will be released closer to the event and all dietary requirements will be accommodated.
DRINKS: Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be included, again showcasing local Tasmanian producers.
ENTERTAINMENT: We will have live music, an MC and a guest speaker for the evening. More details on these are coming soon.
OTHER: We hope the night can be an opportunity to relax, network and celebrate all the hard work that we do. We will ensure everyone has someone to sit with and it is an inclusive evening.
$150
Accommodation at the Grand Chancellor
Discounted rate
To be booked directly by delegates
Our Speakers
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Dr Billy Garvey
Paediatrician & Author
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Dr Scott Griffiths
Associate Professor
Stallholders
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ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy
Provide expert psychological and assessment services from their Graceville, QLD clinic. Their ConnectEd School PD series delivers engaging, evidence-based training on mental health, student wellbeing, and effective pastoral care. They also provide consultancy, supervision, and mentoring supporting pastoral care systems, wellbeing processes, and staff professional development to help schools strengthen their pastoral care frameworks and improve student support systems. Get in touch: https://connectedcc.com.au
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Open Parachute
Open Parachute® is an evidenced-based Social-Emotional Learning program that builds resilience in students by teaching practical mental health skills. Each lesson features a documentary video of an Australian youth sharing their lived experience of overcoming challenges, providing an authentic peer role model for students in the classroom.
To learn more about Open Parachute and to access a free trial for your whole school, please get in touch at www.openparachute.com.au
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Class Solver
Class Solver helps schools create their best class lists in a fraction of the time.
Class Solver includes sociograms that show the friendship connections between students and help schools identify socially isolated students.
For more info visit www.ClassSolver.com
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Scanning Pens
More information
and FAQs
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There are three streams for the conference ‘Engage, Enrich and Empower’. Our Engage theme is targeted at anyone who works in a school and/or with students e.g., educators, counsellors, psychologists, leadership staff and allied health professionals. Our Enrich theme covers topics that are more directly aligned with school psychologists. Our final stream ‘Empower’ if again directed at all professionals, however it focuses on longer, deep dive, workshop formats.
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Anyone who works in schools, with students, children or young people can attend our conference. We are proud of the diverse program we have on offer and have no doubt that there will be something for anyone
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All ticket holders will be contacted closer to the conference date to book into sessions. Some of these e.g., our workshops have limited capacity so it will be first in
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Included in the conference ticket price is morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on both days of the conference and welcome drinks on the Sunday. There is an optional dinner on the Monday evening. All dietary requirements will be catered for.
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The dinner promises to be a wonderful evening. It will be held at the renowned Henry Jones Hotel, which will showcase some of the best produce and views that Hobart has to offer. It will provide an opportunity to relax and network with your colleagues or meet some new people. The ticket price includes a delicious three course meal, array of drinks, entertainment and a few surprises.
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Early bird tickets are on sale until April 11th. After this the ticket price will change and we will have an exclusive discount for TSPA/APACs members. Please get in touch should you wish to become a member
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No, at this stage we are planning an in person event and will not be streaming the conference
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Yes, we will have an expo running throughout the conference. Stalls will be set up to provide information about the latest research, programs and tools relevant to school psychologists, counsellors and other staff. If you are interested in hosting an expo stall please get in touch
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Yes, we are organizing abstracts for a poster presentation of new and relevant research. This will be on during break times and alongside our expo stalls. If you would like to be involved please get in touch.
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Accommodation is available at our conference venue with an exclusive discount for all ticket holders. The Grand Chancellor is one of the most established hotels in Hobart and offers the perfect location to learn and explore.
Hotel in Hobart, Tasmania | Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart (grandchancellorhotels.com)
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Hobart offers a range of accommodation options including hotels, motels, backpackers and airbnb’s. Have a look at something central or there is a ferry from Bellerive each morning.
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Hobart is a world-class destination with captivating history, a picturesque harbour, rugged mountains, gourmet food and wine experiences, and a strong arts and cultural scene – the city has something for everyone. It has an easy to access airport and attractions in close proximity, visitors can experience the best of this beautiful region even on the shortest of stays.
Hobart is the perfect base for exploring Southern Tasmania. Take a ferry from central Hobart to visit the world’s largest collection of private art, Mona. Mount Field National Park and Bruny Island are easily accessible for day trips. Experience Tasmania’s pristine waterways by yacht, luxury catamaran or power vessel and enjoy fresh local produce, award-winning wines, whisky, spirits and craft beers at a variety of cellar doors, breweries and restaurants across the region.
If you have a few days pre or post conference, consider hiring a car to explore the island further.
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We are so proud of our state and all it has to offer. We hope that you make the most of your time here and may consider staying longer and making a holiday out of it.
The Official Tourism Tasmania Website | Discover Tasmania
You’re planning a trip to Tassie, and you only have a few days free after the conference before you need to head back. Use the below travel centre - a small knowledgeable team of friendly locals, which is free to you, and we book state wide.
Website - www.hobarttravelcentre.com.au/
Email - bookings@hobarttravelcentre.com.au
Phone - 03 6238 4222 -
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Meet the Committee
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Kelsey Odgers
President
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Morgan Norris
Treasurer
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Courtney Hartog
Secretary
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Nicole Young
Committee Member
OUR SPONSORS
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APACS
Australian Psychologists & Counsellors in Schools
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ConnnectED
Counselling & Consultancy
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Tasmanian Government
The Tasmanian Government’s Business Events Attraction Fund (BEAF) is delivered through Business Events Tasmania.
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Business Events Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government’s BEAF is delivered through Business Events Tasmania.
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AEDPA
Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association