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ICMEC Australia Symposium 2026: The safety stack

22 October, 2026 @ 8:30am–5:30pm

About the event

We are proud to present our fourth major annual event in Sydney, the ICMEC Australia Symposium 2026: The safety stack – Shaping the child safety ecosystem through tools, culture, and capability.

The Symposium is a one day, ticketed event designed for leaders and decision makers shaping their organisations approach to child safety.

Why the Symposium matters

When it comes to protecting children from child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), technology sits at the heart of both the problem and the solution. As digital platforms, AI systems and online services evolve, so do the methods used to facilitate harm to children. This year’s Symposium explores how a modern “safety stack” – spanning technical tools, organisational culture and workforce capability – can prevent, detect and disrupt harm at scale.

Foster cross-section connections

The symposium provides ample opportunities for attendees to connect meaningfully with the public sector, specifically those in government agencies, law enforcement and academia as well as to engage with peers from a broad range of industries including:

  • Financial services
  • Crypto
  • Technology
  • Travel and tourism
  • Other critical sectors
Learn through expert-led, real world insights

Through panels, high-impact discussions and real-life case studies, attendees will gain visibility into:

  • Forward-thinking solutions
  • Emerging prevention models
  • Innovative approaches to detecting and disrupting CSEA

The event operates under the Chatham House Rule, creating an environment for honest and candid dialogue, enabling attendees to share challenges and learnings more openly. As organisations confront rapidly evolving risks, the Symposium provides a vital forum for problem-solving, knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Event details

Thursday, 22 October 2026

Symposium 8:30am–4:30pm,
Networking 4:30pm–5:30pm

Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, 161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Event objectives

Build meaningful cross-sector connections

Gain practical insights through real-world case studies

Explore forward thinking solutions through interactive discussions

Deepen organisational capability to fight CSEA

Tickets 

By purchasing a ticket, you're investing in a stronger child protection ecosystem. Every ticket helps us host impactful events and support the collaboration, innovation, capacity building, and advocacy needed to drive meaningful change.

The Symposium offers two ticket types, Public sector and Corporate sector - to cater to the differing needs of each audience. Please ensure you select the appropriate ticket when registering, as all registrations are reviewed to confirm eligibility for the selected ticket type. If you’re unsure, you can contact us at event@icmec.org.au.

Public sector

Public sector general admission ticket: $200 each

Public sector group bundle ticket: $175 each

Buy 3 or more tickets and save $25 per ticket!

e.g. law enforcement, government, not-for-profits, and academia.

Corporate sector

Corporate sector general admission ticket: $300 each

Corporate sector group bundle ticket: $275 each

Buy 3 or more tickets and save $25 per ticket!

e.g. financial services, travel, telecommunications, consultants, technology, social media, data providers, etc.

More to come

More exciting details are on the way, including speakers, panels, and event programs. 

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Key speakers

Brendan Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
AUSTRAC
Jodie Arthur
General Manager, Financial Crime
& Group MLRO
Westpac Group
Dr. Murray Lawson
Associate Director, FCR Financial
Intelligence Unit
Macquarie Group
Matthew Bond
Law Enforcement Liaison
Manager (AUS/NZ)
Roblox
Alison Geale
Chief Executive Officer
Bravehearts
D/S/Sgt. Scott Ballantyne
Operations Leader, Cybercrime Unit
Queensland Police Service
See more 2026 speakers

Event terms and conditions

Content
  • Attendees are advised that the event will include discussions of child sexual exploitation and abuse, which may be distressing or confronting for some.
Tickets
  • All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
  • Please ensure you select the appropriate ticket type, as all registrations are reviewed to confirm eligibility for the selected ticket type.
  • Tickets are non-transferrable without prior written consent from ICMEC Australia.
  • ICMEC Australia reserves the right to decline any registration at its discretion.
Event Rules
  • The Symposium operates under the Chatham House Rule: while participants may freely use information received during the event, the identity and affiliation of speakers and participants must not be disclosed without express prior consent.
  • By registering for our event, attendees acknowledge that their name, job title, and organisation may be shared with relevant third parties, solely for event-related purposes.
  • Audio recording, video recording, and photography are prohibited without prior written approval from ICMEC Australia (contact press@icmec.org.au). 
  • By attending our event, attendees consent to being included in photography and videography captured during the day. No audio recording will be used without further consent.
  • Attendees will always conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner.
  • ICMEC Australia may take appropriate action should we find a breach of these terms.

For any general event enquiries, please contact event@icmec.org.au.

What to expect

ICMEC just keeps raising the standard for delivering a valuable event with the right balance of informative, practical, and thought-provoking speaker content and engagement through panels, question time, and networking opportunities.

This was one of the best, if not the best, Symposium in the crime theme I have been to. The mission is so clear, the speakers and professionals in the room so pertinent and passionate – and the possibilities feel endless after days like today.

It was clear that the connections made here will not only advance the conversation, but drive meaningful change in the fight against CSEA. The atmosphere of shared expertise and commitment to the cause made this event truly special.

Highlights of Symposium 2025

Check out the highlight reel or photo gallery from Symposium 2025 below to get a glimpse of what to expect for this year’s event.

If you have any questions, please contact us at: event@icmec.org.au

Support our event

As we prepare for the Symposium, ICMEC Australia is seeking sponsors to support this high-impact event.

The Symposium is a unique opportunity to position your brand at the forefront of Australia’s child protection movement by engaging with cross-sector leaders, sharing cutting-edge solutions, and driving collaboration. Sponsoring the event means leading with purpose, influencing decisionmakers, and demonstrating commitment to fighting CSEA.

If you are interested in sponsorship, please get in touch with Jacqueline Bottner, Senior Coordinator, Corporate Engagement, via email: corporate@icmec.org.au

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