University Colleges Australia
2026 Forum
Healthy Colleges, Healthy Communities
Celebrating 60 Years of University Colleges Australia (1966 - 2026)
Overview
The 2026 University Colleges Australia (UCA) Forum brings together college leaders and sector experts to examine the interconnected challenges shaping residential life today. It is a leadership forum focused on the conditions that enable colleges to function well—culturally, operationally, and publicly.
The program begins with the realities of student life, addressing persistent challenges in wellbeing and safety, including alcohol use, hazing, mental health, inclusion, neurodiversity, and digital behaviours, alongside the leadership and cultural settings that shape them. It then turns to the institutional foundations that sustain these environments—governance, financial sustainability, workforce wellbeing, technology, infrastructure, and environmental responsibility. Finally, it looks outward to consider how colleges build and maintain trust beyond the gate through alumni engagement, philanthropy, civic partnerships, and social impact.
Grounded in the pillars of Healthy Students, Healthy Business, and Healthy Community Engagement, the Forum reflects the full scope of contemporary college leadership.
Forum Dates
Tuesday 29 September - Thursday 1 October 2026
*Optional Melbourne Colleges Tour on Monday 28 September
Location
Park Hyatt
Melbourne, VIC
Enquiries
Forum Schedule
Forum Program will become available closer to the date.
Monday 28 September
Optional: Tour of Melbourne Colleges and Lunch
Tour of select Melbourne Colleges (sometime after midday - details to follow)
Express your interest here
*Please note that delegates must purchase a separate ticket for this event.
Tuesday 29 September
Forum Day 1
First full-day of the Forum (approx. 9am - 5pm), followed by the Welcome Reception (at around 6pm).
Wednesday 30 September
Forum Day 2
Full day consisting of keynote speakers, panels and discussions (approx. 9am - 5pm).
The second day of the Forum will finish at around 5pm, and delegates will have a free night to enjoy Melbourne and organise private activities.
Thursday 1 October
Forum Day 3
Final day of the Forum will consist of an all-day program followed by the Gala Dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria.
The Forum concludes at 10pm.
Key Speakers
To be announced!
Accommodation
UCA has secured a block of 80 rooms at the Park Hyatt Melbourne at a special discounted rate of $330 per night (single occupancy), including breakfast. UCA Forum delegates can access this rate by booking through the link below.
This discounted rate is available until Friday, 19 June, or until the room allocation is fully booked—whichever comes first.
We strongly recommend booking early, as Melbourne will be especially busy due to major sporting events taking place immediately before and after the Forum.
Room details
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1 King Bed: $330 per night (single occupancy, including breakfast) OR $370 per night (breakfast included for two people)
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Maximum occupancy: 3 guests per room (rollaway beds available at $60 per night)
Guests will also have access to the hotel’s facilities, including a fitness centre, indoor pool, spa, sauna, and steam rooms. The hotel is centrally located and surrounded by parks and historic landmarks.
Additional information
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Check-in: from 3:00pm | Check-out: 11:00am
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Self-parking available onsite at $22 per day for UCA guests
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15% discount on spa treatments for UCA guests
To access the early-bird accommodation rate, please book using the link below:
https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/MELPH/G-UCAU
As the Gala Dinner will take place on the last night of the Forum, we encourage delegates to depart on the morning of Friday 2nd October.
Sponsorships
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
University Colleges Australia is proud to partner with individuals and organisations who share our commitment to leadership, learning and community in the university residential college sector. Sponsorship plays a vital role in supporting our annual Forum.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like to explore partnership opportunities, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact our Executive Manager at executive.manager@universitycollegesaustralia.org.