Finish 2026 Strong: Four IHEA Events Bringing Our Healthcare Engineering Community Together
From national collaboration and healthcare infrastructure priorities to technical learning and end-of-year celebrations, IHEA has an exciting calendar of events to round out 2026.
As we approach the end of another busy year, the Institute of Healthcare Engineering Australia (IHEA) is bringing members and industry professionals together through four events across Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.
Whether you're looking to expand your technical knowledge, explore emerging healthcare infrastructure challenges, strengthen industry relationships or simply reconnect with colleagues, there's something for everyone.
Our upcoming program reflects IHEA's ongoing commitment to connecting professionals, sharing knowledge and supporting the advancement of healthcare engineering and infrastructure across Australia.
We encourage members, colleagues and industry partners to explore the events below and secure their places.
1. IHEA National Symposium 2026 – Collaboration by Design | Advancing Healthcare Together
16–18 November 2026 | Fremantle, Western Australia
The IHEA National Symposium returns to Fremantle this November, bringing together healthcare engineering, infrastructure and facilities management professionals from across Australia, New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Hosted at the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges, this flagship event will feature an international speaker line-up, engaging technical presentations, practical case studies and opportunities for meaningful industry collaboration.
Under the theme "Collaboration by Design | Advancing Healthcare Together", the Symposium will explore how stronger connections, shared knowledge and innovative approaches can support better healthcare infrastructure outcomes.
A particular highlight will be the opportunity to engage with international perspectives on healthcare facility design, including work being undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE).
With interactive discussions, technical learning and valuable networking opportunities, the Symposium is designed to encourage delegates to share their experiences and help shape conversations about the future of healthcare infrastructure.
As IHEA's only national event of the 2026–27 financial year, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Event details
Dates: Monday 16 – Wednesday 18 November 2026
Venue: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges, WA
Audience: Healthcare engineers, facility managers, infrastructure professionals, consultants and industry partners
2. IHEA Queensland – Building for Better Healthcare: Queensland's Capital Infrastructure Priorities and Requirements
Thursday 26 November 2026 | Brisbane, Queensland
Queensland's healthcare infrastructure landscape continues to evolve, with significant investment in new and expanded facilities creating both opportunities and challenges for the sector.
Join the IHEA Queensland Branch for an afternoon of professional development exploring Queensland's Health Big Build, capital infrastructure priorities and the technical requirements shaping healthcare facilities.
The session will bring together healthcare engineers, facility managers and industry partners to examine the practical implications of infrastructure investment, design expectations and operational requirements.
Through technical presentations and industry discussion, attendees will gain insights into the challenges and considerations associated with delivering and operating healthcare infrastructure across Queensland.
Following the professional development program, delegates are invited to continue the conversation at a relaxed end-of-year BBQ dinner, providing an opportunity to celebrate the year's achievements and reconnect with colleagues.
Event details
Date: Thursday 26 November 2026
Time: From 1:00 pm
Venue: Pineapple Hotel, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
Format: Professional development presentations followed by networking and dinner
Registration options
PD only – IHEA members: Free
PD only – Non-members: $30
PD and dinner – IHEA members: $25
PD and dinner – Non-members: $50
3. IHEA Victorian & Tasmanian End-of-Year Celebration
Thursday 3 December 2026 | Melbourne, Victoria
After a busy year of professional development, technical site tours and industry collaboration, it's time to take a moment to celebrate!
The IHEA Victorian & Tasmanian Branch invites members, colleagues and industry partners to join us for a relaxed end-of-year gathering in the heart of Melbourne.
Hosted at Bourke Street Green, RACV Club, this event offers an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, welcome new connections and reflect on the achievements of 2026.
Whether you've attended several IHEA events throughout the year or are looking to become more involved in the community, we'd love to see you there.
With no formal technical program to navigate, this event is all about conversation, connection and celebrating the people who contribute to our healthcare engineering community.
Event details
Date: Thursday 3 December 2026
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Venue: Bourke Street Green, RACV Club, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Come along, raise a glass and help us celebrate another year of learning, collaboration and professional connections.
4. IHEA NSW/ACT & SMBE Professional Development Day – Engineering Under Pressure: Delivering in High-Risk Environments
Friday 4 December 2026 | Sydney, New South Wales
Rounding out the 2026 calendar, the IHEA NSW/ACT Branch and the Society for Medical and Biological Engineering (SMBE) will come together for a professional development event exploring the challenges of engineering in complex and high-risk healthcare environments.
Under the theme "Engineering Under Pressure: Delivering in High-Risk Environments", the event will bring together healthcare engineering, biomedical engineering, facilities management and industry professionals for a day of technical learning and knowledge sharing.
Healthcare environments present unique challenges, where infrastructure performance, operational reliability and patient safety are closely connected.
This event will provide an opportunity to explore these challenges, exchange practical experiences and strengthen collaboration between healthcare engineering disciplines.
Following the technical program, delegates will have the opportunity to continue networking during a Sydney Harbour Cruise – a memorable way to finish the year with colleagues and industry peers.
Event details
Date: Friday 4 December 2026
Venue: Kerry Packer Education Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Sydney
Theme: Engineering Under Pressure: Delivering in High-Risk Environments
Networking: Sydney Harbour Cruise
Registration
IHEA members: $80
Non-members: $120
This collaborative event is a valuable opportunity for professionals working across engineering, biomedical technology and healthcare infrastructure to connect and learn from one another.
Register Now and Finish the Year Connected
With the end of 2026 fast approaching, now is the perfect time to plan your final professional development activities and reconnect with the IHEA community.
Whether you can join us for one event or several, we encourage you to get involved, invite your colleagues and make the most of the opportunities available.
Spaces and registration arrangements vary between events, so we recommend securing your place early.
Explore the full calendar, register for your preferred events and join us as we finish another year of collaboration, learning and connection.
We look forward to seeing you at an IHEA event before the year is out!
Comments