Conference program
Program details are subject to change.
Tuesday, 17 November 2026
1:00pm
Registration open
- 1:00pm – 6:00pm
1:30pm
Masterclass 1: Navigating the Modern Superannuation Data Ecosystem: Governance, Interoperability and Member Outcomes
Masterclasses are open to fund staff only.
- 1:30pm – 5:00pm
An interactive, hands-on session for trustees and senior executives navigating the rapidly evolving super data landscape.
Participants will explore how data flows across employers, payroll providers, funds and regulators, and what this means for governance, cyber risk and trustee oversight. Working in small teams with a SuperAPI Product Leader or Engineer, they’ll then design and build an intelligent software solution for a hypothetical super fund. Attendees will leave with a working prototype, a practical trustee readiness checklist, and key insights to take back to the boardroom.
A light lunch will be provided.
Partnered by
Masterclass 2: The Strategy–Experiment Loop: Building AI Capability that Learns
Masterclasses are open to fund staff only.
- 1:30pm – 5:00pm
An executive working session for leaders ready to turn AI ambition into action. C-Suite, senior leaders and cross-functional teams will translate Board priorities into a practical AI strategy, identify and prioritise high-value experiments, and use the evidence generated to shape an AI-enabled delivery model. Grounded in superannuation industry case studies, attendees will leave with a clearer AI roadmap, a framework for prioritising experimentation, and practical tools to take back and apply within their organisation.
A light lunch will be provided.
Partnered by
Masterclass 3: Cyber, Trust and Resilience: Preparing for the Threats Ahead
Masterclasses are open to fund staff only.
- 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Technology is transforming superannuation at pace, bringing new opportunities alongside an increasingly complex set of risks and leadership challenges. Designed for superannuation executives, trustee directors and senior leaders across cyber security, technology, risk, governance, operations and member experience, this interactive PwC Australia masterclass will explore emerging AI-enabled threats reshaping the cyber landscape. Through peer discussion, real-world scenarios and PwC’s Game of Threats, challenge conventional thinking and leave with practical priorities to strengthen resilience, protect member trust and prepare for what comes next.
A light lunch will be provided.
Partnered by
2:00pm
Super Expo - Exhibitor bump-in
- 2:00pm – 5:30pm
5:00pm
Welcome networking drinks
- 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Wednesday, 18 November 2026
7:00am
Registration open
- 7:00am – 8:30am
7:15am
Breakfast
- 7:15am – 8:30am
8:40am
Welcome to Country
- 8:40am – 8:45am
8:45am
Welcome & opening remarks
- 8:45am – 9:05am
Mary Delahunty, ASFA CEO, and Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece will welcome delegates to the 64th annual ASFA Conference.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne
9:05am
Keynote 1: In conversation with Alastair Campbell
- 9:05am – 9:45am
A fireside chat with Alastair Campbell a writer, communicator and political strategist, best known for his work at the heart of British politics and as co-host of the hugely popular podcast The Rest Is Politics, where he offers candid insight and analysis on current affairs, leadership and the political world.
- Policy
Partnered by
9:45am
Keynote 2: Address from the Treasurer
- 9:45am – 10:05am
Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer will address the ASFA Conference.
10:05am
Wellness break
- 10:05am – 10:10am
Partnered by
10:10am
Keynote 3: Fostering the next generation
- 10:10am – 10:40am
Addressing the challenges of elite competition, national expectations, and being an indigenous woman, Cathy Freeman AC, will provide insights into identity, representation, leadership and the role of sport in promoting social change and unity.
- Investment
10:40am
Keynote 4: Fireside Chat with the Minister of Finance, Luxembourg
- 10:40am – 11:00am
In this fireside chat, Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance will provide insights on Europe’s macroeconomic outlook and policy developments, offering the perspective of a founding EU Member State and a major European financial centre, home to the world’s second-largest investment fund industry.
- Investment
11:05am
Morning tea
- 11:05am – 11:30am
Partnered by
11:40am
Parallel 1A: Protecting human rights in the 21st century
- 11:40am – 12:15pm
The panel will discuss how human rights capacity building is becoming increasingly important as accountability for human rights requires a broader risk management lens to be applied to activities such as procurement, operations, and investment, to protect the rights of minorities and First Nations peoples.
- Policy
Parallel 1B: Retirement planning from a member perspective
- 11:40am – 12:15pm
In this session hear from leading financial advisers and platforms on how they collaborate together to ensure that members receive a holistic retirement planning service which ensures that members acheive their retirement goals.
- Retirement
Parallel 1C: Evolution of risk management: The competitive advantage of ownership of data
- 11:40am – 12:15pm
Data is becoming a competitive advantage, but this gives rise to increased governance and risk management issues. The panel will explore how investment teams and committees can gain visibility and control of data without dramatically increasing costs.
- Investment
12:20pm
Networking lunch in the Super Expo
- 12:20pm – 1:20pm
1:30pm
Parallel 2A: Designing a retirement system for 2040: What policy should we be advocating for now?
- 1:30pm – 2:05pm
The challenges facing the superannuation system are already clear: an ageing population, more Australians retiring with non‑linear work histories, growing pressure on retirement income adequacy, and rising expectations that super should be simpler, fairer and better connected to how people live in retirement. The expert panel will consider possible policy settings to enhance the current system by 2040.
- Policy
Parallel 2B: Leading AI enabled teams - the human side of AI adoption
- 1:30pm – 2:05pm
AI is being embraced rapidly, but managing it at a workforce level is complicated and evolving. Hear from leading experts on how their organisations are making decisions on where AI starts and human judgement ends and what this means for executives on closing the gap between their own enthusiasm (or scepticism) and the experience of their teams.
- AI & Technology
Parallel 2C: Engaged by design: How digital readiness shapes the member experience
- 1:30pm – 2:05pm
Members experience their fund through a series of moments across their working life: joining, choosing how their super is invested, understanding their cover, seeking advice, making a claim, and eventually planning for retirement. Increasingly, how well a fund shows up in these moments comes down to digital readiness. Bringing together perspectives from across the industry, this panel explores how digital readiness can enable engagement at scale, and what the member experience of the future looks like.
- Insurance
Partnered by
2:10pm
Parallel 3A: The age pension: The forgotten third pillar of the retirement system?
- 2:10pm – 2:45pm
The Age Pension is the important third pillar of our retirement system, but remains complex to apply for and separate to superannuation. The session will focus on what more funds could do, both in terms of member servicing and policy advocacy, to make the Age Pension (and other government income support) more integrated with super and more accessible for Australians.
- Retirement
Parallel 3B: The transformation leader's dilemma - pace vs stability in an AI-world
- 2:10pm – 2:45pm
Superannuation funds aren't startups - you can't move fast and break things when members' retirement savings are at stake. But in an increasingly AI-powered world, you cannot move so carefully that you are structurally behind. This session puts that tension on the table explicitly, hear from leaders who make those decisions daily.
- Business Transformation
Parallel 3C: Navigating change together: Designing human-led service in an increasingly digital super system
- 2:10pm – 2:45pm
As expectations of super funds, insurers and administrators rise, technology, AI and operating model transformation are creating new opportunities to improve member support but human intervention will still be required at key moments. This panel explores how human expertise, claims experience and technology can work together to enable earlier intervention, recognise personal circumstances and ensure no member or beneficiary is left behind.
Speakers:
Simon McCloskey, Partner, PwC
Nadine Moore, SS&C Technologies
- Insurance
2:50pm
Afternoon tea in the Super Expo
- 2:50pm – 3:20pm
3:30pm
Keynote 5: Productivity Commission Address
- 3:30pm – 3:45pm
Commissioner Barry Sterland will address the ASFA Conference.
3:45pm
Future Leaders lightning talk
- 3:45pm – 3:55pm
- Future Leaders
Partnered by
3:55pm
Keynote 6: CEO panel discussion
- 3:55pm – 4:35pm
A panel of CEOs drawn from the superannuation sector will discuss the opportunities, challenges and prospects for the next 5-10 years as funds under management reach $4 trillion.
4:35pm
Wellness break
- 4:35pm – 4:40pm
Partnered by
4:40pm
Keynote 7: Global investment trends and challenges
- 4:40pm – 5:15pm
An esteemed panel, drawn from Australia and overseas, will discuss the impact of global investment trends and challenges on how superannuation and pension funds invest the retirement savings of members in Australia and overseas.
- Investment
5:15pm
Closing remarks
- 5:15pm – 5:20pm
Mary Delahunty, ASFA CEO will close Day 1 of the ASFA Conference.
7:00pm
ASFA Conference dinner event
- 7:00pm – 10:00pm
A vibrant stand-up dinner designed for effortless mingling, great food and drinks, and valuable connections with industry leaders.
Dress code: Cocktail
Partnered by
Thursday, 19 November 2026
7:00am
Registration open
- 7:00am – 9:30am
Women in Super Networking Breakfast
- 7:00am – 8:30am
Begin your day with an engaging panel discussion.
Women in Super Chair, Robbie Campo, will facilitate a dynamic discussion between industry leaders in the superannuation sector. This conversation will explore each panelist's career journey, how they have faced and overcome challenges - as well as what kind of support systems they have accessed and implemented to help them achieve their inspiring leadership success stories.
Partnered by
7:30am
Super Expo open
- 7:30am – 2:35pm
9:00am
9:10am
Keynote 8: Address from the Shadow Treasurer
- 9:10am – 9:25am
The Hon Tim Wilson MP will address the ASFA Conference.
- Policy
9:25am
Keynote 9: Insurance CEO panel
- 9:25am – 10:00am
Returning for a second year, this highly-anticipated panel of insurers will discuss how the insurance sector is meeting the needs of superannuation fund members in a continuously changing and challenging world.
- Insurance
10:00am
Wellness break
- 10:00am – 10:05am
Partnered by
10:05am
Keynote 10: ACCC Fireside Chat
- 10:05am – 10:30am
Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe will reflect on the ACCC's recent initiatives and priorities.
- Policy
10:35am
Morning tea
- 10:35am – 11:05am
11:15am
Parallel 4A: The increasing systemic importance of super
- 11:15am – 11:50am
The panel of experts will provide insights into how portfolio resilience has become a major focus for trustees and CIOs given the impact of the uncertain investment environment and regulatory requirements on asset allocation, FX hedging decisions and liquidity management.
- Investment
Partnered by
Parallel 4B: From evidence to action: Implementing the superannuation white paper recommendations
- 11:15am – 11:50am
This session brings together key stakeholders to discuss the Insurance Superannuation White Paper to critically analyse how to translate recommendations, such as the impact of mental health driven claims, fragmented income support systems, into practical actions that can lead to sustainable, member-outcome driven resolutions.
- Insurance
Parallel 4C: Building trust, brand and member loyalty - Insights from the UK
- 11:15am – 11:50am
A fireside chat with the Nest UK on their member engagement journey to build trust, brand awareness and loyalty to overcome retention challenges by understanding and delivering on member expectations.
- Member Engagement & Servicing
11:55pm
Parallel 5A: Consumer protections in the wake of Shield and First Guardian
- 11:55am – 12:30pm
Following the Shield and First Guardian collapses, members' confidence that the superannuation system will protect their retirement savings has been challenged. The panel will discuss the priorities and reforms needed to strengthen consumer protections.
- Policy
Parallel 5B: Meeting younger members in their space
- 11:55am – 12:30pm
Understanding where and how younger generations engage with financial products is key to meeting their demands and needs. Our panel of experts will provide insights from their experience and knowledge of working with younger members.
- Future Leaders
Parallel 5C: Friction by design: secure digital journeys without excluding members
- 11:55am – 12:30pm
As super funds push members online, two exposures grow at the same time: financial crime and fraud risk on the one hand and member disengagement on the other. This panel focuses on what superannuation funds can do now to ensure that members remain the focus of secure member journeys.
- AI & Technology
12:35pm
Networking lunch in the Super Expo
- 12:35pm – 1:35pm
1:40pm
Parallel 6A: What keeps trustee directors awake at night?
- 1:40pm – 2:15pm
Trustee Directors will share their priorities and challenges as they help steer their respective organisations into the future.
Parallel 6B: A Perspective on the development of initial AI adoption through to use of agentic AI for everyday impact
- 1:40pm – 2:15pm
Across the industry, AI is increasingly being applied to productivity, operations and now servicing. This session draws on lessons from Australia and other markets further along the adoption curve to explore how AI is being used in practice today to drive member experience.
Speakers:
Mythili Baker, Aware Super
- Business Transformation
Partnered by
Parallel 6C: The engagement effect: When greater awareness demands better services
- 1:40pm – 2:15pm
Member engagement is critical to helping Australians understand the importance of financial security in retirement but as members become more engaged and informed, their expectations rise. This panel will explore the next evolution of a more relevant, personalised service that leverages AI-enabled innovation to meet the changing needs of members across their retirement journey.
- Member Engagement & Servicing
2:25pm - Please return to Plenary 1 for the afternoon keynote program
Future Leaders lightning talk
- 2:25pm – 2:35pm
- Future Leaders
2:35pm
Keynote 11: What will Australia look like in 2050?
- 2:35pm – 3:15pm
Back by popular demand, Simon Kuestenmacher will apply his detailed knowledge of demographic trends to provide insights into the structural changes that lie ahead as we move towards 2050, and what this means for the Australian population and retirement outcomes.
- Future Leaders
3:20pm
Wellness break
- 3:20pm – 3:25pm
Partnered by
3:25pm
Keynote 12: ASIC Fireside Chat
- 3:25pm – 3:45pm
Insights from ASIC on priorities for 2027.
- Policy
3:45pm
Keynote 13: APRA Fireside Chat
- 3:45pm – 4:05pm
Insights from APRA on priorities for 2027.
- Policy
4:05pm
Keynote 14: Address from the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services
- 4:05pm – 4:25pm
Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services will address the ASFA Conference.
- Policy
4:25pm
Closing remarks
- 4:25pm – 4:35pm
Mary Delahunty, ASFA's CEO, will officially close the 2026 ASFA Annual Conference.