The Wounds Australia 2026 Conference brought almost 1000 members of the wound care community together in Adelaide, 23-26 August, for four energising days of learning, connection and conversation about the future of wound prevention and management. 

Around 150 workshops, plenaries, concurrents and other sessions spanning clinical practice, research, innovation, education and policy explored the theme Strengthening Networks and Navigating New Frontiers for Better Healing. 

Internationally recognised keynote speakers, emerging research, practical clinical education and conversations continuing well beyond the session rooms all helped showcase the breadth of expertise within the wound care sector and the strength of the community behind it.

Enjoy highlights of the conference in this short video.

A program exploring new frontiers in practice and research

In our opening Plenary, Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler MP thanked clinicians, researchers primary care professionals and advocates for their work in improving wound care and prevention, and commended Wounds Australia for our work in educating consumers. 

"They're helping improve public awareness and patient understanding so that more people can recognise when a wound is not healing, they can seek help earlier and access the right care sooner... so thank you, Wounds Australia, for your continued leadership and your commitment right across the spectrum of wound care," Minister Butler said.  "Conferences like this one bring together evidence and expertise, and they allow you to share practical experience across our health systems.

"Your work really is helping people recognise wounds earlier, access the right care sooner and live healthier and more comfortable lives."

Federal Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost MP welcomed delegates to Adelaide in a vibrant opening address and said the Conference demonstrated "the continued importance of collaboration between clinicians, researchers, consumers, industry, and government to improve patient outcomes when it comes to wound care". She was followed by our first expert speakers: Spain's Prof. Dr José Luis Lázaro-Martínez and Dr Lee C. Rogers and Kara Couch from the US and, from Australia, Dr Jason Chuen and Scientific Committee Co-Chairs Professor Allison Cowin and Dr Peta Tehan (pictured below).

Pictured L-R: Kara Couch, José Luis Lázaro-Martínez, Lee C. Rogers, Allison Cowin, Peta Tehan and Jason Chuen.

Across the scientific program, the many disciplines, settings and perspectives that shape contemporary wound care were reflected. Other international plenary speakers included Ireland's Prof. Zena Moore, Prof. Dr Dimitri Beeckman of Belgium/Sweden and Finland's A/Prof. Kirsi Isoherranen, who appeared alongside leading Australian clinicians, researchers and educators like Prof. Keryln Carville, Prof. Suzanne Kapp and Laureate Prof. Clare Collins AO (pictured below), discussing subjects ranging from wound prevention and complex clinical management to emerging technologies, new models of care and the latest research shaping practice. 

L-R: Keryln Carville, Suzanne Kapp and Clare Collins present during the Conference.

Improving access for more clinicians

Wounds Australia awarded a bumper crop of Memorial Scholarships in 2026 and recipient Helena Tighe singled out several presentations as highlights. 

"Some of the memorable presentations were by Kara Couch [Director of Wound Care Services at the George Washington Memorial Hospital and President of the AAWC] about trauma wounds, and the talk by a former paediatrician, now veterinarian, who has developed an exciting new topical anaesthetic yet to be approved for human use," Ms Tighe said. 

Fellow Scholarship recipient Sharryn Cook said she valued the way the program combined research with information delegates could apply directly in their work. 

"There was a great mix of evidence-based education, practical clinical information and discussion around the future of wound care," Ms Cook said. "I was able to take away new ideas that I can consider within my own clinical practice and incorporate into education for colleagues. 

"It was particularly rewarding to realise that many of the challenges we experience in wound care are shared internationally, while also learning about different approaches and solutions." 

Wounds Australia's newest Life Member Prof. Christina Parker also highlighted the value of international expertise sharing. 

"The exceptional keynote speakers were amazing," Prof. Parker said. "I loved the global perspectives on wound prevention, management and research and our international colleagues were so engaging."

Pictured: delegates enjoy practical workshops and engaging plenaries at the Wounds Australia 2026 Conference.

Acknowledging excellence

Prof. Parker received her Life Membership award at the Conference Gala Dinner on Tuesday 25 August — one of several awards announced that night. 

Wounds Australia Platinum Partner and Conference Platinum Sponsor Mölnlycke was recognised for its longstanding support of the peak body. CEO Jeff Antcliff said the partnership was a vital investment in our mission of improving wound care for more Australians.

Mr Antcliff then went on to acknowledge the role played by a newer partner, Savers Australia, in facilitating our work, commending the organisation on its dedication to sustainability, community support and meaningful collaboration.

Pictured L-R: Prof. Parker receives her Life Member Award from Wounds Australia Board Chair Kerry May, and CEO Jeff Antcliff presents awards to Broni Calvert and Martina O'Brien of Mölnlycke, and Marc Moniz and Lai Tang of Savers Australia.

The Conference Closing Ceremony on Wednesday 25 August provided a platform for showcasing research excellence. Dr Zlatko Kopecki, co-Editor in Chief of Wound Research and Practice Journal, announced Conference Awards for Best Poster Presentation, Best Research and Best Case Study, and Wounds Australia Literary Awards for Best Original Research, Best Literature Review and Best Case Study.  

Pictured L-R: Zlatko Kopecki with lead researcher Kathleen Finlayson, accepting the Wounds Australia Literary Award for Best Original Research, with Keryln Carville, Prof. Fiona Wood AO and Zena Moore standing in for Conference Award winners; and recipients of 2026 Memorial Scholarships that supported their Conference attendance.

A buzzing Exhibition Hall

The Exhibition Hall quickly became another centre of activity throughout the Conference. Industry partners and exhibitors gave delegates the chance to explore wound care products, technologies and services, speak directly with experts and see new developments first-hand. 

Delegates used the Hall not simply as a product showcase, but as a place to compare approaches, ask practical questions and continue conversations sparked during sessions. Those exchanges often brought clinicians, researchers and industry together around shared challenges. The easy movement between education, discussion, networking and hands-on exploration helped create an energetic atmosphere across all four days. 

Wounds Australia is grateful to all exhibitors, sponsors and corporate partners whose support helped make the Wounds Australia 2026 Conference possible and who contributed to the broader Conference program and experience.

Pictured: industry partners share innovations with delegates and presenters at the Wounds Australia 2026 Conference.

Strengthening networks

Connection emerged as one of the clearest themes of the Wounds Australia 2026 Conference. The theme Strengthening Networks and Navigating New Frontiers for Better Healing came to life not simply on the program, but through the conversations and relationships forming across disciplines, organisations and borders. 

Wounds Australia Board member Dr Jason Chuen said the strength of engagement among delegates was particularly striking. 

"It was great to see the level of engagement amongst the attendees, their passion, and the collegiate respect from international partners like EWMA and ALPS," Dr Chuen said. 

Interdisciplinary collaboration also featured strongly throughout the Conference. 

"The emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration was fantastic and this was evident everywhere you looked at the conference," Prof. Parker said. "Strengthening collaborative networks is essential to progressing wound care [and] those networks matter because wound care is inherently multidisciplinary. 

"Improving prevention and outcomes depends on clinicians across professions and settings, researchers, consumers, policymakers, industry and health services sharing knowledge and working towards common goals."

The Wounds Australia 2026 Conference created the space for those groups to reconnect with established colleagues, form new professional relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration. 

For Dr Kopecki, that shared purpose was one of the defining qualities of the event. 

"There was a "strong unity and enthusiasm by all attendees for collective action to improve wound prevention and management that was clearly felt", Dr Kopecki said. 

He also praised the "cohesive program across all themes", which highlighted "the breadth and quality of research and clinical care undertaken by our members and attendees", concluding "it has been truly inspirational".

Pictured L-R: Jason Chuen presents during the Opening Plenary; and Prof. Michelle Barakat-Johnson receives a $10,000 Research Grant from Wounds Australia Research Committee Deputy Chair Zlatko Kopecki and Chair Christina Parker.

A community advancing together

Four packed days in Adelaide may have come to an end but many of the ideas, conversations and relationships created during the Wounds Australia 2026 Conference will continue well beyond the event.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed: our speakers, presenters, workshop facilitators, Scientific Program Committee, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, partners and, above all, the delegates who brought such energy and openness to the Conference. Delegates made the event a success by sharing knowledge, challenging thinking, learning from one another and looking together towards what comes next. 

The Wounds Australia 2026 Conference demonstrates just how much expertise, commitment and innovation exists across wound care in Australia and internationally — and how powerful that becomes when people connect around a shared purpose. After Adelaide, one message feels particularly clear: better healing depends on stronger networks — and those networks are thriving.

Announcing our 2028 destination

The Wounds Australia Conference will be returning to Melbourne for the first time in over a decade in 2028. Stay up-to-date on program announcements, registrations, scholarship opportunities and other news by signing up for our Conference updates at woundsconference.org. We hope to see you there!