Artwork created by Chloe Calyon
3-5 May 2027
Optus Stadium
WACOSS Conference 2027
3 - 5 May 2027
The WACOSS Conference is one of the most significant gatherings of the community services sector in Western Australia, bringing together leaders, practitioners, advocates, government representatives, researchers, philanthropists and people with lived experience. It is a place where ideas are challenged, partnerships are formed and solutions are developed to create lasting change.
Future Ready: People and Communities is more than a conference theme; it is a call to action. It reflects our shared responsibility to build communities that are resilient, inclusive and prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Monday 5 May will be a half-day workshop — From Transaction to Transformation: Reimagining Partnership — presented in in partnership with the Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA).
Join Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and community service organisations to explore how we build strong, respectful partnerships grounded in trust, capability and shared leadership.
At a time when racism is rising across our communities, this conversation is more important than ever.
This program will challenge us to consider what it means to work in true partnership with ACCOs — not only to deliver services together, but to strengthen community cohesion and actively tackle racism in all its forms.
Together, we will explore how the community services sector can play a leadership role in supporting self-determination and creating more inclusive, culturally safe systems.
Day two and three of the program will explore three critical streams:
- The first stream, Excellence and Resilience in Times of Crisis, focuses on the community sector’s demonstrated excellence during periods of crisis, including global uncertainty, natural disasters, cost of living pressures and emerging fuel and supply‑chain insecurity. It will showcase how organisations innovate, adapt service models, maintain trust with communities, support staff wellbeing and communicate effectively under pressure.
- The second stream, Changing the Trajectory Through Early Investment and Systems Reform, will unpack what prevention and early intervention mean in practice, why they matter and how they can be more effectively embedded across policy, funding and service systems.
- The third stream, Voices, Power and Participation in Designing the Future, centres inclusion as both a principle and a practice, recognising that effective systems are built with, not just for, communities.
Each of these streams provides a strong platform for bringing the WA community sector together to celebrate excellence, strengthen capability and connection, elevate diverse voices and advance the systems, policies and investments needed to build resilient, inclusive and future-ready people and communities.
The Community Services Excellence Awards (CSEA), held on the first night of the conference, remain a highlight of the conference. They honour the extraordinary people, organisations and partnerships making a difference every day across WA.
From grassroots community leaders to innovative organisations, CSEA shines a light on the dedication, courage and creativity that help our communities thrive.
Parking Options
Free parking will be available on the Northern Oval near Gate C of Optus Stadium
Phone Number
08 6381 5300
Email Address
conference2027@wacoss.org.au
Parking Options
Free parking at Optus Stadium provided
Phone Number
08 6381 5300
Email Address
conference2027@wacoss.org.au
In Partnership with:
Major Supporter:
