AIRAANZ conference 2026

The Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand (AIRAANZ) is pleased to announce the 2026 conference is happening in Sydney, New South Wales, at the University of Technology Sydney from Wednesday 28 January to Friday 30 January 2026.

The theme of the conference is ‘Shifting perspective and practice: Industrial relations in a changing world of work’. Addressing real-world problems is at the heart of industrial relations research. Relatedly, academics are increasingly encouraged to generate and demonstrate societal impact from their research. This theme invites reflection and dialogue on societal impact in industrial relations scholarship and practice, and the challenges and opportunities of undertaking socially impactful research in a changing world of work.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

We are excited to invite abstract submissions for AIRAANZ 2026 Conference to be held at the University of Technology Sydney from 28 to 30 January 2026. We encourage abstract submissions related to the following themes:

• Gender, work, family and care
• Migrant labour and politics
• Labour productivity and IR
• Climate change, work and sustainability
• Platform/gig work and workers
• AI and digital transformation of work
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Youth labour
• Precarious and insecure work
• Workplace health and safety
• Unions, voice and bargaining
• Methodological and theoretical issues in IR
• Resistance to a neoliberal agenda: Reflections on previous struggles and their relevance for the future (Special session)
• Disruptive Bodies at Work: Gendered Transitions and Institutional Responses (Special session)
• Labour Geography and Industrial Relations (Special session)
• Going Against the Grain for Social Transformation (Special session)
• Teaching and Learning in a Changing World of Work (Special session)
• Researching Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (Special session)
• Indigeneity and Labour (Special session)
• General abstract stream

The abstract submission deadline is Friday 24 October 2025. Abstracts must be submitted via: https://consol.eventsair.com/airaanz-2026/submission/Site/Register

Abstract submissions should be uploaded in a Word document and be between 250-400 words (excluding references).

For technical assistance in submitting an abstract, contact: airaanz@con-sol.com

For academic queries related to abstracts/papers please contact organising committee chair Mihajla Gavin at: info@airaanz.org

Please contact Conference Chair Mihajla Gavin at info@airaanz.org for any questions.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

If you already have an AIRAANZ membership account, please LOGIN BEFORE REGISTERING for the conference here: https://www.airaanz.org/account

Once logged in, you can then register for the conference with the discount. Scroll to end of this page and click on the “Registration” button.

You can also become a NEW member and receive the discount. First, create a new membership account, then make sure to login, and you will now be able to register for the conference with the membership discount.

The registration cost is all-inclusive for conference-related events (welcome drinks, conference dinner, and HDR breakfast for HDR student delegates). Please note that early bird registration is for the full conference.

Prices are in AUD

ACCOMMODATION 

If you would like to book accommodation through Conference Solutions (who are assisting with organising the conference), please book via this link: https://consol.eventsair.com/airaanz-2026/book-accommodation

Please direct any questions about accommodation to: airaanz@con-sol.com

CONFERENCE GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 

AIRAANZ Conference 2026 - Postgraduate Scholarships 

Applications for postgraduate student scholarships are now open. AIRAANZ pays the conference registration fees of successful applicants and, for those not living in the conference city, a contribution towards airfares and accommodation. The extent of this contribution will be determined in November 2025. Please note that the decision-making committee will consider all relevant factors, including whether the applicants is an AIRAANZ member and if an applicant has previously received this postgraduate scholarship. To apply, please complete the application form on our website. Applications should be received no later than 7 November 2025.

AIRAANZ Conference 2026 - Early Career Researcher Grants

Applications for early career researcher grants are now open. AIRAANZ is pleased to be able to support up to two members who are Early Career Researchers to attend the annual conference. This grant is by application and is intended to support those who have recently completed their PhD and are not in permanent paid work or are in teaching intensive positions that do not support conference participation. This grant will cover the cost of early bird registration and may contribute towards some travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should:

• be within three years of confirmation of their PhD (those who have been examined, but not yet graduated may also apply); and
• be in non-permanent employment (e.g. sessional or fixed term contracts); and/or be in a teaching intensive position that does not provide support for conference participation; and
• have been an AIRAANZ member for a minimum of two years.

To apply, please complete the application form on our website. Applications should be received no later than 7 November 2025

AIRAANZ CONFERENCE REFUND POLICY 

Refunds to the AIRAANZ Conference are to be provided, upon written request by the registrant, upon the following process:

• Registrations who are cancelled 2 calendar months or more prior to the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 95% of the amount paid for registration.
• Registrations that are cancelled between 1 and 2 calendar months prior to the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 60% of the amount paid for registration.
• Registrations that are cancelled on the date that falls between 1 calendar month and 14 days before the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 40% of the amount paid for registration.
• Registrations that are cancelled within 14 days of the first day of the conference are to be refunded at 10% of the amount paid for registration.

The organising committee has discretion to offer refunds at greater amounts than outlined above on compassionate grounds. Please contact: airaanz@con-sol.com