Best HR Events in Australia and New Zealand in 2026: Your Complete Planning Guide
- James Colley
- Nov 26, 2025
- 9 min read
If you’re leading people, culture, or talent in Australia or New Zealand, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year. From large-scale conventions to invite-only retreats, there’s a full calendar of events designed to help HR leaders stay ahead on AI, skills, wellbeing, new workplace laws, and culture.
This guide pulls together some of the best HR conferences and summits across Australia and New Zealand in 2026, with:
Dates and locations
External links so you can register or learn more
Who each event is best suited for
What to expect on the ground
You can turn this into a practical planning tool: block the dates in your calendar, decide which events are “must attend”, and build a development roadmap for yourself and your team.
How to use this guide
By geography: First we cover Australia, then New Zealand.
By timing: Events are roughly in calendar order so you can plan quarter by quarter.
By focus: Under each event, you’ll see “Best for” to help you match the event to your role and priorities.
Where dates or full programs are still evolving, we’ve noted that—always double-check the official event site before booking travel.
Major HR events in Australia in 2026
1. National HR Summit Australia 2026 (HRD)
Dates: 31 March – 1 April 2026
Location: International Convention Centre (ICC), Sydney
Website: https://hrsummit.com.au
The National HR Summit Australia is one of the flagship HR gatherings in the region, bringing together senior HR, people, and culture leaders around the theme “HR Reimagined: Leading the New Era of Work.” The 2026 summit runs over two days at ICC Sydney, with multiple content stages and 90+ peer-led roundtables and workshops.
You can expect:
A Main Stage focused on workforce transformation, AI, and culture
A Directors Forum for CHROs and senior HR executives
Dedicated L&D and HR Innovation stages covering skills, analytics, and HR tech
Deep dives on AI in HR, psychosocial risk, inclusion, and performance
Best for: Mid–senior HR leaders, Heads of People & Culture, HR Business Partners, and L&D leaders looking for a broad strategic update plus practical frameworks.
Internal link idea: When you mention topics like “AI in HR” or “employee wellbeing,” add links to your own guides, case studies, or product pages.
2. AHRI National Convention & Exhibition 2026
Dates: 4 – 6 August 2026
Location: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), Brisbane
The AHRI National Convention & Exhibition (NCE) is billed as the largest HR event in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 2,000 attendees and a strong mix of HR practitioners, business leaders, and industry experts.
What to expect:
Big-picture keynotes on the future of HR, leadership, and workforce strategy
Streams covering legislation and compliance, diversity and inclusion, analytics, and organisational design
A large expo floor showcasing HR technology, consulting, and services
Rich networking with decision-makers—AHRI notes that ~69% of attendees are in decision-making roles
Best for: Senior HR and people leaders who want a comprehensive view of current HR issues, plus vendors, tech providers, and consultants targeting the Australian HR market.
3. HR Leaders 2026 (Sydney)
Dates: 4 – 5 May 2026
Location: Sydney (venue detailed on event site)
Website: https://hrlf.com.au
HR Leaders is an executive-level forum bringing together Chief People Officers and senior HR leaders from major organisations. It leans heavily into peer learning, case studies from large enterprises, and strategic conversations about culture, transformation, and leadership.
From the 2026 program and speaker lineup, you can expect:
Senior speakers from top Australian brands and global tech companies
Sessions focused on transformation, leadership, and employee experience
A curated environment designed for strategic networking and idea-sharing
Best for: CHROs, CPOs, and senior HR executives in medium–large organisations.
4. HR Leadership Summit 2026 (The Leadership Institute)
Dates: 10 – 13 March 2026 (including pre-conference workshops)
Location: Sydney
The HR Leadership Summit is positioned as a leadership experience rather than just a conference. It’s designed for HR professionals “ready to make the leap into strategic leadership”, with pre-conference workshops on influence, culture, and executive-level impact.
Highlights:
Pre-conference workshops on building strategic credibility and embedding culture
Keynotes from resilience experts, behavioural scientists, and senior HR leaders
Case studies on organisational transformation, culture, and future-of-work leadership
Best for: Emerging and established HR leaders wanting to sharpen executive presence, strategic influence, and leadership skills.
5. State-based HR Leadership Summits (Business Insights Asia Pacific)
Dates & locations (2026):
SA HR Leadership Summit: 19 – 20 February 2026
QLD HR Leadership Summit: 12 – 13 March 2026
NSW HR Leadership Summit: 21 – 22 May 2026
Website: https://biapac.com/events
These state-level HR Leadership Summits are curated for mid–senior HR leaders in each state, with agendas that blend local case studies and national trends. Topics often include workforce capability, change leadership, employee experience, and talent strategies for growth.
Best for: HR leaders who want a high-quality strategic event closer to home, or who can’t travel interstate or overseas for the larger conventions.
6. Learning & Development Leadership Summits (Melbourne & Sydney)
Dates (2026):
L&D Leadership Summit (Melbourne): 6 – 7 May 2026
L&D Leadership Summit (Sydney): 26 – 27 August 2026
Website: https://biapac.com/events
These summits focus specifically on learning, capability, and workforce development. Expect sessions on building learning-centred organisations, digital literacy, learning analytics, and how AI is reshaping L&D.
Best for: Heads of L&D, capability, OD, and HR leaders responsible for skills, learning strategy, and capability uplift.
7. HR Symposium 2026 – Hunter Valley
Dates: 6 – 7 August 2026
Location: Hunter Valley, NSW
The HR Symposium is a by-invitation executive retreat for around 120 of the most influential HR leaders, set in the Hunter Valley. Over two days and two nights, it mixes high-level content with curated networking experiences (think wine tasting, golf, and smaller working sessions).
What to expect:
A no-press, no-recruiters environment designed for candid discussion
Peer-to-peer learning with senior HR decision makers
Time away from day-to-day operations to think, plan, and connect deeply
Best for: CHROs and senior HR leaders from larger organisations who value a curated, retreat-style environment.
8. HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest Australia 2026
Dates: 21 – 22 September 2026
Location: Hyatt Regency Sydney
Website: https://www.techfestconf.com (Australian event via series link)
The HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest focuses on the intersection of people, learning, and technology. It’s pitched as a space for HR, L&D, and wellbeing leaders to explore how new tools, AI, analytics, and digital experiences are reshaping work.
Expect:
Tracks on HR tech, learning platforms, data & analytics, and AI
Case studies from organisations modernising their HR and L&D stacks
Networking with vendors and peers who are already implementing these solutions
Best for: HR and L&D leaders actively working on HR tech stacks, learning ecosystems, digital employee experience, and analytics.
Major HR events in New Zealand in 2026
1. NZ HR Awards 2026 (HRNZ)
Date: 26 March 2026
Location: New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), Auckland
Website: https://www.hrnz.org.nz (navigate to NZ HR Awards)
The NZ HR Awards celebrate excellence in HR across Aotearoa New Zealand. HRNZ positions the 2026 event as a chance to “celebrate excellence, connect with peers, and showcase your impact on HR in Aotearoa,” with entries closing in October 2025.
What to expect:
A formal awards evening at NZICC
Categories recognising innovation, leadership, diversity & inclusion, wellbeing, and more
Networking with HR leaders, vendors, and partners from across New Zealand
Best for: HR teams wanting to benchmark their work, raise their profile internally and externally, and celebrate achievements with stakeholders.
2. HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest New Zealand 2026
Dates: 30 June – 1 July 2026
Location: Cordis, Auckland
Website: https://www.techfestconf.com/nz
This is the New Zealand edition of the HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest, described as “New Zealand’s most exciting and progressive gathering of HR, L&D, and wellness leaders, difference-makers and disruptors.”
You can expect:
Two full days of learning and discussion around future of work, AI, analytics, and learning innovation
A strong focus on how technology, data, and new skills are reframing workplace culture and organisational change
Research reports on AI, analytics, and the future of L&D available to attendees
Best for: HR, L&D, and wellbeing leaders looking to modernise their tech, upskill their people, and understand where the market is heading.
3. New Zealand L&D Leadership Summit 2026
Dates: 11 – 12 June 2026
Location: Grand Millennium Auckland
The NZ L&D Leadership Summit is focused on building learning-centred organisations and uplifting workforce capability. The 2026 theme, “Forward Motion – Leveraging learning as a catalyst for organisational change,” centres on learning as a driver of a future-ready workforce.
Key areas covered:
Building a learning-centred organisation
Digital literacy and using AI to enhance workplace learning
Designing learning and capability strategies that match current and future business needs
Measuring return on investment (ROI) in L&D
Best for: Heads of L&D, capability, OD, and HR leaders responsible for skills and learning strategy.
4. New Zealand HR Leadership Summit 2026
Dates: 15 – 16 September 2026
Location: (See event site for confirmed city and venue)
Website: https://biapac.com/events (New Zealand HR Leadership Summit)
The New Zealand HR Leadership Summit brings together HR leaders across sectors to explore strategy, leadership, and future-of-work topics. It often includes case studies from leading NZ organisations, as well as international perspectives.
Expect sessions on:
Strategic HR leadership and workforce planning
Culture, inclusion, and leadership development
Change and transformation in New Zealand organisations
Best for: Senior HR and people leaders operating in NZ-based or trans-Tasman organisations.
5. HRNZ Virtual Summits and Future Workplace Forum
Dates: Multiple virtual summits across 2025–2026; Future Workplace Forum held annually (2026 date TBC at time of writing)
Website:
HRNZ Courses & Events: https://www.hrnz.org.nz/whats-on
Future Workplace Forum: https://www.hrnz.org.nz/whats-on/the-future-workplace-forum
HRNZ runs:
A series of HR Virtual Summits (e.g., culture, people analytics, flexible work) across 2025–26
The Future Workplace Forum, a full-day in-person forum in Auckland held annually in partnership with the University of Auckland Business School
These events are ideal if you want:
Topic-specific deep dives (e.g., flexible work, remuneration, people analytics, future of work)
CPD credits and structured learning recognised by HRNZ
A mix of virtual and in-person options without heavy travel
Best for: HR professionals at all levels in New Zealand who want ongoing development and CPD across the year.
How to build your 2026 HR event strategy (Australia & New Zealand)
Here’s a simple way to structure your year:
Q1 (Feb–Mar):
Use state HR Leadership Summits (SA, QLD) and the HR Leadership Summit in March to set your strategic HR agenda.
Block National HR Summit Australia (end of March) to refine your workforce, AI, and compliance priorities for the year.
Q2 (Apr–Jun):
Dive deeper into L&D and capability at the Melbourne L&D Summit (May) and the NZ L&D Leadership Summit (June).
Celebrate and benchmark at the NZ HR Awards in March.
Q3 (Jul–Sep):
Use HR + L&D Tech Fest NZ (late June/early July) and Tech Fest Australia (September) to update your HR technology and analytics roadmap.
For senior leaders, combine AHRI NCE and the HR Symposium in Hunter Valley in August for high-value networking and big-picture strategy.
Q4:
Watch for 2026 dates of HRNZ’s Future Workplace Forum and additional virtual summits for final updates on legislation, workforce trends, and 2027 planning.
Internal link idea: You can insert your own content hub or product page as “pre-reading” or “toolkit” alongside each quarter, e.g. “Pair AHRI NCE with our guide to employee wellbeing ROI”.
Frequently asked questions about HR events in Australia & New Zealand (2026)
Are these all the HR events happening in 2026?
No. This guide focuses on prominent, well-established HR conferences and leadership events with confirmed 2026 dates or recurring status at the time of writing. There are also many smaller regional events, webinars, and specialist conferences (e.g., comp & benefits, safety, recruitment) that you may want to add based on your niche.
How far in advance should HR teams budget and plan?
For large events like AHRI NCE and National HR Summit Australia, it’s wise to:
Block dates 9–12 months out
Budget flights and accommodation at least 3–6 months out
Use early-bird registrations where available to reduce cost
Retreat-style events (e.g., HR Symposium) often have limited places, so registering early is key.
Which events are best if I’m based in New Zealand?
If you’re NZ-based and want to minimise travel, a strong combination would be:
NZ HR Awards – for recognition and networking
HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest NZ – for tech and future-of-work trends
NZ L&D Leadership Summit + NZ HR Leadership Summit – for capability and HR strategy
Selected HRNZ Virtual Summits and the Future Workplace Forum for CPD and ongoing learning
How do I choose between Australian and New Zealand events?
Think about:
Scope: Australian events like AHRI NCE and National HR Summit offer bigger scale and broader regional insights.
Local relevance: NZ-focused events (HRNZ, NZ HR Awards, NZ leadership summits) go deeper into Aotearoa-specific legislation, culture, and context.
Budget & time: You might choose one major Australian event plus 2–3 New Zealand events, or alternate focus years (Australia-heavy one year, NZ-heavy the next).
How can I make the most of each event?
For every conference or summit:
Set clear objectives (e.g., “find 2 new wellbeing tools”, “benchmark DEI strategy”, “learn 3 ideas for AI in HR”).
Pre-book meetings with vendors, speakers, or peers you want to connect with.
Share notes and takeaways with your leadership team and HR colleagues afterward.
Turn insights into a 90-day action plan so the value isn’t lost once you’re back in the office.