2025 Australian Government Legal Service Conference
Program Details
The 2025 Australian Government Legal Service (AGLS) Conference will be held from 9:00am ‑ 5:00pm Thursday 18th September 2025 at the Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton ACT and online via the EventsAir platform.The day will include sessions from:
- opening keynote address by the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.
- Brendan Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, AUSTRAC, who
will share his views on the role of government lawyers in a broader ecosystem
that is accountable to the community upholding the law and managing legal risk,
and invite the audience to critically reflect on how their practice can become
more connected to people.
- Iain Anderson, Commonwealth Ombudsman, will
discuss navigating automated decision making (ADM) in government, including an overview of the existing use of ADM
across the Commonwealth, the issues arising in relation to ADM, and potential
reforms in this space.
-
Natalie Wade, Associate Commissioner, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, will
speak on human centred lawyering, providing
practical advice about how to treat legal problems with empathy, and
exploring how to deliver legal services in government in a way that keeps
people and the community at the centre of our work.
-
Bronwyn
Worswick, Chief Counsel, Department of Social Services, will present on Government Litigation and what can happen outside
of the litigation, discussing the cycle through a government lens, and speaking to real examples
of cases arising within the social services portfolio.
- a panel discussing First Nations legal issues and experiences, where speakers are invited to reflect on a range of legal topics impacting First Nations people and communities. The speakers for this panel are still being finalised.
Please note: the Conference program and order of sessions is subject to change.
Event Details
- The 2025 AGLS Conference will be held from 9:00am ‑ 5:00pm, Thursday 18 September 2025.
- The event will be delivered face to face at the Hotel Realm in Barton, Canberra and online via the EventsAir platform.
- Attendees registered to attend virtually will receive an individual link to access the event through an IP address.
- There is no need to download or install any apps. The link will be sent before the event, with an opportunity to test your entity's ability to access the platform. The conference manager will work with attendees to resolve any issues that arise.
- The sessions will be recorded and accessible to all attendees (in-person and virtual) for 3 weeks following the conference.
- Attendees will be able to claim Continuing Professional Development points. Further information will be provided once the program is finalised.
- The program includes opportunities to connect, chat and meet with other attendees regardless of whether attending virtually or face to face, and for attendees to ask speakers questions during interactive Q&A segments at the end of each session.
Register Now!
Virtual registration | $110.00 per person
In-person registration | SOLD OUT
Included in the Registration Fee
All sessions
Additional Options
(In-person attendees)
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Post-conference networking
Venue
Hotel Realm Canberra is located in the prestigious Parliamentary Precinct of Barton, offering a contemporary and refined environment for guests. The hotel features award-winning restaurants, a health club, day spa, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Ideally positioned for business and events, Hotel Realm is approximately 800 metres from Parliament House, 2 kilometres from the National Gallery of Australia, and just 9 kilometres from Canberra Airport.
Car parking is available within the Realm Precinct for hotel meeting delegates and event guests. The Realm Precinct has over 800 car spaces located across Hotel Realm, Burbury Close, 9 & 3 Sydney Avenue and Little National Hotel. Parking is complimentary at the Hotel Realm for the first 60mins. - Precinct Parking Map
*Please note these are public carparks and space cannot be guaranteed and rates vary across car parks – to check rates visit Wilson Parking Australia.
Program
Cancellation Terms
Please ensure you have carefully read the terms and conditions. By registering for the 2025 AGLS Conference, you accept these terms and conditions. If you do not understand any part of the terms and conditions, please do not hesitate to ask us for more information.
The conference is a cost-recovered initiative of the AGLS. Accordingly, we are unable to provide refunds if a registered participant can no longer attend the event. If, after successful registration, you are unable to attend, please liaise within your organisation to transfer your registration to another person to attend in your place. Transfer of or any changes to your registration can be made by contacting Conference Co-ordinators at agls@confco.com.au
Other than the ticket price, to which the above conditions apply, the costs of a participant’s attendance at the 2025 AGLS Conference, including any travel and accommodation costs and incidentals, are incurred at each participant’s sole risk and will not be reimbursed in-part or in‑full.
Cancellation and non-attendance
As explained above, we are unable to provide refunds or cancel a registration if a registered participant can no longer attend the training. Registrations can be transferred but will not be refunded. If, after successful registration, you are unable to attend:
- Please liaise within your organisation to transfer your registration to another person to attend in your place, and contact Conference Co-ordinators at agls@confco.com.au to inform them of the change in participant details.
- If you cannot find someone within your organisation to take over your registration, you may contact Conference Co-ordinators at agls@confco.com.au to ask whether it may be possible to transfer your registration to someone from another organisation. We cannot guarantee that Conference Co-ordinators will be able to arrange this for you.
Disclaimer
The 2025 AGLS Conference program agenda and registration information is correct at the time of viewing/printing. However, the organisers reserve the right to change the information where necessary without notice.
Privacy statement
In registering for the 2025 AGLS Conference, relevant details will be incorporated into an attendee list for the benefit of all attendees (name, organisation and state – in accordance with the Australian Privacy Amendment Act 2000) and may be made available to parties directly related to AGLS. By completing this registration form, you acknowledge that the details supplied by you may be used for the above purposes.
Data processing consent
You retain the right to ask us about your personal data at any time. Please contact us at agls@confco.com.au with any inquiries you may have.
Code of Conduct
Our event will present opportunities to learn, share knowledge and network. We believe the event should represent a safe, enjoyable and inclusive environment for all people.