Policy
into Practice
National Conference & Awards for Excellence
The room where
decisions are made
The Future Frontlines Conference started with a simple idea — that the people doing the work should be in the same room as the people making the decisions. In 2025 we proved it worked.
In 2026 we're going further. Two full days in Adelaide, with approximately 200 delegates from government, defence, emergency services, police, academia and community organisations. The theme is Policy into Practice — every session is built around closing the gap between what the evidence tells us and what actually happens in the system.
The conference ends with a structured Policy Lab that produces a real output: the Future Frontlines Paper, used directly in VESPIIA's national advocacy work for the following 12 months.
"Probably the most enjoyable and informative conference I have been to in the Military / First Responder / ESO space since discharging 15 years ago."
— 2025 DelegateTwo days. One arc.
Every session builds on the last — from national context through to applied practice — culminating in a working Policy Lab that produces a published national output.
Aug
The Night Before
An informal hosted gathering for all registered delegates, speakers and partners. Designed to build the connections that make the next two days more productive. Delegates, speakers and partners in one room before the work begins.
The National Context
Ministerial addresses from SA, Federal Veterans' Affairs and Defence, alongside a geopolitical briefing. Where are we, what's working, what isn't, and what's coming. Panel Q&A to close.
From Submission to Change
A foundational session on how policy is made, influenced and changed. Covers the mechanics of strategic policy, practical application, and a real-world case study in advocacy that worked. Policy briefings open to abstract submissions.
Communication in Collaboration
An interactive Lego Serious Play workshop — one of the most popular sessions from 2025. Breaks the plenary rhythm, builds cross-sector relationships, and produces insights that feed into the Policy Lab on Day 2.
What the Research Tells Us
What's shifting externally — workforce pressures, technology, demographic change, geopolitics — and what the research tells us is coming. Three short research briefings open to abstract submissions.
The Sector's Night of Recognition
The VESPIIA Awards for Excellence — now in its third year. Seventeen categories spanning individuals, teams, organisations and programs. Peer-judged, genuinely contested, held in front of 200 delegates who've spent the day talking about what needs to change.
Emergency Services, Police & Corrections
Ministerial addresses and senior agency briefings including the AFP Commissioner, focused on emergency services, corrections and police. Setting the national public safety context for the day ahead.
Making the Future Frontlines Paper
The working session. Delegates use the insights from across both days to co-produce the Future Frontlines Paper — VESPIIA's published policy document informing national advocacy priorities for the following 12 months.
Policy Change in Practice
A deliberate shift in gear. Real case studies of policy change leading to new programs with genuine community impact — across veterans, emergency services and police. Told by the people who made it happen.
Member Spotlights & Final Keynote
Six short member spotlights open to abstract submissions, followed by a closing keynote from someone who has navigated the system and shifted something. Chair's reflections and close.
A national stage
in Adelaide
The National Wine Centre of Australia — chosen for its heritage character, national reputation and central Adelaide location. Accessible from every state and territory.
The people who set
the agenda
A focused, cross-sector gathering of the people who fund the programs, deliver the services and generate the evidence for one of Australia's most important policy areas.
ESO leaders, program managers, service delivery staff and volunteers closest to the need.
Federal and state government, department staff and senior agency personnel across veterans', emergency management and police portfolios.
ADF personnel, defence industry representatives and organisations at the intersection of military and civilian life.
University researchers, clinicians and policy analysts whose work shapes the evidence base for the sector.
The people bringing
this to life
Ministers. Commissioners. Researchers. Practitioners. Advocates. The 2026 Future Frontlines program brings together the people who set the agenda — and the people doing the work on the ground.
More speakers are being confirmed across both conference days. Check the speakers page for the latest announcements.
View All Speakers →Recognising what
good looks like
Now in its third year, the VESPIIA Awards for Excellence recognises the individuals, teams, organisations and programs doing outstanding work across the veterans, emergency services and police sectors. Peer-judged, genuinely contested, held in front of 200 of the sector's most engaged delegates.
Entries are free for members. Open to the sector regardless of VESPIIA membership.
Your work deserves to be seen.
Use the submission process as a best-practice review of the year. Celebrate your team. Show the sector what you've built.
A room worth
being in
Ministerial access, a published national policy output, and 200 delegates from across the sector — all in one place, for two days. Packages start at $3,000 and include 12 months of VESPIIA membership.
Join us in Adelaide
Two days. The sector's most important conversations. A program built to produce something lasting. Registrations open now — early bird pricing available until 30 June 2026.