FDCA 2025 National Conference

The FDCA 2025 National Conference is on its way to Melbourne!

We are pleased to announce that the FDCA 2025 National Conference will take place in Melbourne from 23-25 October 2025.

Taking place at the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park the FDCA 2025 National Conference promises to be one of our largest events to date and whether you’re attending purely to expand your own knowledge base or might be tempted by Melbourne’s wealth of food, culture and attractions, we have no doubt this will be a conference not to be missed!

We are also proud to have secured three amazing and inspirational keynote speakers who will be sharing their passion, experience and knowledge with delegates.

Nathan Wallis

Internationally acclaimed New Zealand neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis is a grandfather of three, father of three and foster father to many more. His professional background includes working as an early childhood teacher, child therapist, social service manager, university lecturer and neuroscience trainer.

Nathan is in hot demand throughout New Zealand, Australia and Internationally. Host of the TV Series, “Kids Don’t Come With A Manual”, host of the documentary “All in the Mind”, and co-host of the TV series “The Secret life of Girls”, Nathan appears on National Radio and TV as a guest expert on parenting, teaching and understanding the brain development of young people.

Inspirational and charismatic, Nathan’s ability to translate neuroscience into everyday life engages all audiences.

As a bonus for conference delegates, on top of his keynote at the conference, Nathan will also be holding a workshop that will be available to all delegates in a plenary format!

Dr Jana Pittman

Dr Jana Pittman is a Dual Olympian, four-time Commonwealth Champion and two-time World Champion!

Best known for her feats on the athletics track after representing Australia at the summer Olympics in 2000 and 2004, becoming a four-time Commonwealth Champion and two-time World Champion, Jana also represented Australia in the women’s bobsled team in 2014. She is the first woman to represent Australia in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

Jana’s achievements have continued away from the track, completing a Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, Masters of Reproduction Medicine and pursuing a PhD in Obstetrics, with the hope of progressing her medical career towards becoming an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.

Most amazingly, Jana is doing all of this while raising six children!

Jana's remarkable story is one of perseverance, don’t miss your opportunity to hear Jana share her amazing journey!

Anne Hollonds

As the National Children’s Commissioner, working for the Australian Human Rights Commission, Anne advocates for the rights of children, ensures children can participate and have a voice in decisions and policies that impact them, and provides a coordinated approach to the protection of children’s rights in Australia.

Anne previously served as the Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies and for 23 years was a chief executive of government and non-government organisations focused on research, policy and practice in child and family wellbeing.

As a psychologist Anne has worked extensively in frontline practice, including child protection, domestic, family and sexual violence, mental health, child and family counselling, parenting education, family law counselling, and community development.

Anne currently contributes to several expert advisory groups, including the Family Law Council, Australian Child Maltreatment Study, NSW Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council, National Plan Advisory Group (NPAG), and the Australian Centre for Child Protection Advisory Board.

All your professional learning needs under one roof

The FDCA 2025 National Conference will deliver a wide range for professional learning opportunities in the one setting! Whether you’re an educator, coordinator, educational leader or service manager, you can be sure that we’ll have the content you’re looking for.

Create a network and build life-long friendships

You might come for the content, the food, the shopping or to see Nathan Wallis, but we know that one thing the FDCA National Conference builds is life-long friendships. The conference will give delegates the unique chance to network with family day care professionals from across Australia and catch up with friends from conferences past.