Frequently Asked Questions

Read our most Frequently Asked Questions about this year's Professional Staff Conference

Tickets

  • We have sold out. The waitlist is now closed.

  • Cancellations made on or before 5pm Friday 13 September will not be charged the standard ticket price.

    Cancellations made after 5pm Friday 13 September 2024 will be charged the standard ticket price.

    Please notify us of any changes at psc-info@unimelb.edu.au

  • Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate substitutions, we request your colleague register under a new ticket, and we can cancel your ticket.

  • Conference tickets are covered by your respective departments. It is advisable to discuss attendance with your supervisor before registering. The registration form will request a Themis account string for the ticket cost to be charged back to your department. Staff do not need to use annual leave to attend.

    • Early bird tickets are available for $240 until sold out.
    • Standard tickets are $295.
    • Presenter tickets are $240.
  • On top of the presenter sessions and keynote speaker, there is morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea available on the day including post-conference networking drinks. We also have a range of exciting prizes and activities on offer.

  • Yes, early bird tickets are available at a reduced price, but there are limited numbers so get in early!

Overview of the conference

  • Established in 2014, the PSC is an annual one-day conference organized by professional staff volunteers, aimed at bringing together the University's professional staff community. While traditionally in-person, recent editions have been held virtually. The conference features various session formats, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, and individual presentations.

  • The PSC celebrates the contributions of professional staff, recognizing their expertise and passion. It provides a platform for networking, skill enhancement, and staying updated on industry trends.

  • The conference covers a wide range of topics relevant to professional staff, including leadership development, innovation, diversity and inclusion, career advancement, and workplace well-being.

  • We will continually update our PSC website, and our event app Entegy as the day approaches. Keep an eye out for further details being released via Staff News and Viva Engage too.

  • The University of Melbourne 2024 Professional Staff Conference has been rescheduled. The conference will now take place on Tuesday, 1 October 2024, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

    As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Professional Staff Conference, we are preparing for what promises to be the largest and most impactful conference to date.

    Participants, sponsors, and all stakeholders are kindly requested to update their calendars accordingly. We look forward to your continued participation in this important event.

    For further information, please contact us at psc-info@unimelb.edu.au.

Benefits and Participation

    • Networking & Collaboration: Connect with professionals from diverse backgrounds and areas of work, fostering potential collaborations.
    • Professional Development: Gain insights into new trends, strategies, and best practices through discussions and presentations.
    • Motivation: Draw inspiration from keynote speakers who share their experiences and insights.
    • Community: Feel a sense of belonging within the University of Melbourne community, especially beneficial for those primarily working online or new to the university.
  • You can participate by attending the conference as an attendee or by presenting at the conference.

    • Visibility & Recognition: Showcase your expertise and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
    • Professional Development: Enhance your public speaking and presentation skills, with access to free presenter workshops.
    • Personal Fulfillment & Confidence-building: Share your expertise, boosting confidence and validating contributions.
  • Define your personal goals for the conference, whether it's networking, learning, or personal empowerment. Consider attending with colleagues from your office to maximize engagement and collaboration.

On the conference day

  • Sessions will be a combination of short presentations, interactive workshops and panel discussions with some sessions running concurrently.

  • Bring your phone and a battery pack or phone charger. The conference is paperless, so all the information and updates will be on the event app (more information on the app will be sent to attendees post-registration).

  • The conference is run in-person only and we can’t wait to see you there! There were many deciding factors such as technical support costs, return to campus communications and the importance of fostering a cohesive networking environment.

  • The conference is designed to be enjoyed as a full day program and therefore no reduction in ticket price can be given if you do not attend all sessions.

  • Yes, we are asking everyone registering to think about their accessibility needs and contact psc-info@unimelb.edu.au with any requirements as soon as possible

  • We are proud of our efforts to make the conference as sustainable as possible so for this reason the catering will all be vegetarian.

    Vegetarian and vegan options are the best choice for events due to the ethical and environmental benefits. Sustainability is part of the University's strategy, and we want to promote this at this conference. Animal products are the most resource-intensive foods to produce and are associated with numerous environmental problems. Livestock production, for example, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributes to land degradation and is extremely water intensive. Please see the University's Sustainable Events Guide for more details.

  • Unfortunately, the event is only open to professional staff (Professional, Administrative and Support Occupations) from the University of Melbourne and affiliated organisations like the Melbourne Theatre Company.

  • We encourage everyone to travel via public transport to the event. There is also car parking available at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) - mcec.com.au/plan-your-visit

  • We would love to hear from you so please contact us at psc-info@unimelb.edu.au. All attendees will also be sent a feedback survey post-conference.

Presenters

  • Staff from all levels and areas across the University were invited to submit their interest in delivering a presentation or session at the 2024 Conference. The deadline to submit a submission was 7 July 2024.

  • The conference is run by volunteers as a not-for-profit, so ticket prices cover venue hire, catering and keynote speakers. You will also have full access to the other presentations, prizes, and wellness activities offered.

  • On top of accessing other presenter sessions and keynote speaker, there is morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea available on the day including post-conference networking drinks. We also have a range of exciting prizes and activities on offer.

  • For presenters, if your circumstances change and you can no longer attend, please liaise with your dedicated committee members to discuss as soon as possible.