Skip to content

Student conference opportunities

Attend conferences, work on your professional development and enhance your employability through UniSQ's Student Conference Opportunities, designed for student representatives, student leaders* and leadership excellence academy participants.

Applications are now being accepted only for conferences that have been pre-approved. Please keep in mind that self-nominated conferences are not currently eligible.

*Student leaders are University volunteers who take up leadership roles. This can include, but is not limited to, UniSport Nationals Captains and Residential Colleges Representatives.

Apply for conference opportunities

Nominate yourself to attend domestic and international conferences.
Apply Now

Upcoming conferences

Student Success Conference

Date: 30 June – 2 July, 2025

Location: Cairns Pullman International, Cairns, QLD  

Nomination closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday, 4 May 2025

The Student Success conference is a partnership between STARS ( the Students, Transitions Achievement Retention and Success Group), EPHEA (Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia) and NAEEA (National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia) to provide the opportunity to disseminate and discuss current research, good practice, emerging initiatives and leading edge ideas that are aimed at enhancing students’ tertiary learning experiences. 

Date: 7 July, 2025

Location: Virtual registration and attendance

Nomination closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday, 11 May 2025 

The Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Conference serves as an international gathering for individuals dedicated to higher education research, promoting student success, and exchanging evidence-based knowledge on higher education policy and practice. It offers a valuable opportunity for colleagues to connect, share ideas, and engage with HERDSA communities of practice. 

Date: 5-8 August, 2025

Location: Renaissance Hotel & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Nomination closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday, 20 April 2025

The 13th University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) nurtures emerging world leaders by giving them the confidence to lead sustainable development projects in their communities. It is where ideas grow, collaborations take place and diverse voices unite for a better world. 

Date: 11-14 September, 2025

Location: The Hyatt Hotel and Australian Parliament House, Canberra, Australia

Nomination closing date:  11.59pm on Sunday, 20 July 2025

Note: For people aged 18-26

The National Leadership Forum (NLF) is different from other leadership programs in that it brings together young leaders from across Australia and the Pacific to explore and expand their leadership through the lens of values, compassion, and connection. Over 4 days, young leaders will spend time alongside Members of Parliament, leaders of business, and other young leaders from various stages of life to consider who they are as leaders, how they can expand their leadership repertoire, and how they may use their authentic leadership to serve others. 

Date: TBC

Location: TBC

Nomination closing date: TBC

Student Voice Summit | The Student Voice Summit is a students-only event will bring together student representatives and leaders from tertiary education institutions to exchange knowledge and practices of actively engaging in institutional decision-making, discuss and tackle challenges in group activities and gain inspiration from esteemed speakers. The event will be delivered in person with some sessions available online.

SVA Symposium | The Student Voice Australasia (SVA) Symposium allows practitioners and students to share current practices, deepen their understanding of student voice and partnership practical and theoretical principles, and discuss challenges that inspire innovation and cross-institutional collaboration. The Symposium features thought-provoking keynotes, workshops, case studies, panel sessions and informal networking for students and practitioners from Australia and Asia-Pacific countries. The event will be delivered in person and online and followed by networking.

Date: 29 - 31 October, 2025

Location: Pullman Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand.

Nomination closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday, 31 August 2025

For more than five decades, ANZSSA has been at the forefront of shaping student services and engagement and driving positive change across tertiary education in Australia and New Zealand. This milestone conference will honour our collective achievements while exploring new strategies, innovations, and collaborations to enhance student success in the years ahead. 

Date: TBC 

Location: TBC 

Nomination closing date: TBC 

More information to come. 

FAQs

How to apply

To apply to attend a conference, please fill in the application form by the nomination closing date. Please note that each conference requires a separate submission.

You will be asked to provide the below:

  1. An overview of your understanding of the conference theme and why you would like to attend.
  2. A description of how the conference relates to your studies or leadership and how your participation will enhance your employability. 
  3. A description of how you plan to share what you learned at the conference with the rest of the UniSQ community. 

Selection process

Sponsorship is awarded based on merit. Applications do not guarantee sponsorship as they are assessed through a competitive application process.
 
Students' applications are assessed blindly by three separate UniSQ staff members, and applicants are given an overall average rank based on responses.
 
Applications that are late or incomplete will not be accepted.
 
Please review the requirements in the ‘who can apply’ section below to ensure that you are eligible before applying. 

The inclusions vary between conferences, but may *include registration, flights, accommodation and transfers.

The University will arrange your conference travel on your behalf, and students will be covered by UniSQ's travel insurance provided certain conditions are met.

Students must comply with the Travel Policy and Travel Procedure. 

 

* UniSQ will not cover discretionary expenses, including meals outside of conference events and travel beyond transfers. 

Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply for funding:

  • be currently enrolled in an award program at UniSQ and remain enrolled for the duration of the conference, 
  • have completed at least one study period at UniSQ before applying,
  • students undertaking a leave of absence are not eligible,  
  • have completed at least one month of student representation and/or within your volunteering role at UniSQ prior to the conference start date, 
  • participation in the conference must not conflict with academic studies.

Each conference has its own set of criteria for selection, please check the conference for more information.  

To maintain fairness, the University will send students to only one conference per calendar year. We do however encourage you to apply for any and all opportunities that interest you, as vacancies may allow additional participation.
Within two weeks of returning from the conference, you are required to submit a Student Conference Activity Report to the Associate Provost via representation@unisq.edu.au, outlining your experiences and how your learnings can benefit the University.