Dare to Dream | 2026 Forensic Mental Health Nursing Conference

Theme

The overarching theme of the conference is Innovation in FMHN practice: improving nursing practice and consumer outcomes.

We will shortly be calling for submissions that suit the following themes:

• Preventing and managing aggression and violence
• Gender, diversity and cultural considerations
• Advances in forensic mental health nursing
• Working with complex ethical challenges

Submitting authors may choose more than one theme. The conference scientific committee will group presentations by theme, where possible.

Presentation types

Oral Presentation

Presentations are approximately 15-20 minutes long, including time for discussion and questions.

Symposia

Symposia are made up of three to four papers with an overarching theme. Symposia are given approximately 60 minutes including discussion/question time.

Posters

Posters should be no larger that A1 size. Posters are to be submitted as PDF for view, however it is up to the presenter to print the poster ready for display. 

Note

Please be advised that there are no online/video presentation options available. All presentations must be delivered in person.

Evaluation criteria

All submissions will be reviewed by the scientific committee.

These criteria are key considerations in the acceptance of all submissions:

• relevance to the conference theme/sub-themes
• relevance to contemporary professional practice
• quality of the abstract
• compliance with the word count and format requirements for abstracts

All submitters will receive an email confirming the outcome of their proposal.  All criteria are key considerations in the acceptance of all submissions.  We reserve the right to discuss your submission with you as part of the process of assembling the program.

Publication

Successful submissions, including author details (name, institution, city, country, and email), will be featured on the conference website, in the book of abstracts, and the conference program.

Wordcount

Abstracts should be no more than 250 words. Biographical paragraphs should be no longer that 100 words. Symposia overview should be no longer than 150 words, including symposia title. Abstracts exceeding the word count or not adhering to the format may be rejected.

The call for abstracts will be made via our mailing list.

Visa and consular information

It is the responsibility of delegates to confirm visa requirements and make suitable arrangements. For further information, consult the Australian High Commission, Consulate, or Embassy in your home country.

Insurance

Conference registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. We recommended you take out personal travel and medical insurance when you register for the conference and book your travel which includes loss or damage of personal possessions, including loss of hotel payments and registration fees through cancellation.

The conference organisers do not take responsibility for participants failing to arrange their own insurance.

Weather

The weather in Melbourne in February is usually very warm to hot with an average high of 26°C and low of 16°C.  Melbourne is famous for its unpredictable weather, so we recommend you prepare for all seasons!

Looking for things to do in Melbourne?

Visit City of Melbourne website for ideas! 

Presenter facilities

All conference rooms are equipped with video projectors and screens, integrated audio systems with speakers and wireless microphones. 

Presentation time allocation

• Oral presentations are allocated between 15 and 20 minutes, including question time
• Symposia are allocated between 45 and 60 minutes, including question time

Places at the conference are limited and will be allocated on a first-registered basis.

All fees are in Australian dollars and include Australian GST. To convert to other currencies, you may use a currency conversion website such as XE Currency Converter as a guide.

Registration fees will be displayed soon.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be advised in writing by 12 January 2026. The conference organisers reserve the right to apply a $60AUD cancellation fee per registration.  After that date, refunds will only be issued in exceptional circumstances. 

Substitute delegates will be accepted. Please advised the conference organisers if a ticket is being transferred to another delegate. 

Find out more about getting to Hawthorn campus here.

Event Terms and Conditions

1. Registration and Ticketing:

• By registering for our event, you agree to abide by these terms and conditions
• Tickets can be transferred and refunded under certain circumstances. Contact the conference organiser for details.

2. Payment:

• Payment can be made online through the registration portal. 
• All prices include applicable taxes and processing fees.
• Payment can be made via invoice at request. Invoices are generated by Swinburne University of Technology.

3. Attendee Responsibilities:

• Attendees are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and professionally.
• Unlawful or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated, and organisers reserve the right to remove attendees in violation of the code of conduct.

4. Privacy Policy:

• We collect and process personal data in accordance with Swinburne University of Technology's Privacy Policy, which can be found at https://www.swinburne.edu.au/privacy/
• Event organisers will provide attendee name and organisational details to the conference venue (Swinburne University of Technology) for the purposes of recording visitors to the venue.  Attendees are required to sign into the venue at the commencement of each day.

5. Cancellation and Changes:

• In the event of conference cancellation or rescheduling, attendees will be notified promptly.
• Refund policies for cancelled or rescheduled conferences will be communicated at that time.

6. Liability and Disclaimers:

• Speaker cancellations or changes to the program may occur, and we are not responsible for any inconvenience this may cause.

7. Force Majeure:

• In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (e.g., natural disasters), Swinburne University of Technology will make all efforts to reschedule or refund tickets, but we are not liable for any resulting losses.

8. Contact Information: 

• For inquiries, concerns, or requests related to the conference, please contact us at fmhn2026@swinburne.edu.au.

9. Acceptance of Terms: 

• By registering for this event, you acknowledge and accept these terms and conditions.
   

Presenter Terms and Conditions

1. Presenter Responsibility:

• By submitting an abstract for our event, you agree to abide by these terms and conditions.
• All presenters are responsible for ensuring that they have obtained any necessary ethical approvals and approvals from relevant governing bodies to present their research or content.

2. Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations:

• Presenters must adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines governing their research or content presentation. This includes compliance with ethical standards, human subject protections, and any other relevant laws.

3. Liability: 

• Presenters are solely responsible for any legal or ethical issues arising from the content they present. The conference organisers will not be held liable for any breaches of ethical standards, laws, or regulations by presenters.

4. Verification: 

• The conference organisers reserve the right to request documentation or evidence of ethical approval and relevant permissions from presenters. Failure to provide such documentation may result in the withdrawal of the presentation.

5. Confidentiality: 

• Presenters should be mindful of any confidential or sensitive information they may present and take appropriate measures to protect the privacy and security of such data. Any breaches of confidentiality will be the responsibility of the presenter.

6. Changes to presentations: 

• Presenters should inform the conference organisers of any significant changes or updates to their presentations, especially if these changes impact the ethical or regulatory status of their work.

7. Acceptance of Terms: 

• By submitting a presentation for this event, you acknowledge and accept these terms and conditions.