HR CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS 2026
Are you ready to conquer the biggest HR challenges of 2026 and turn them into opportunities? Join us for an action-packed one-day conference in Sydney designed to help you future-proof your HR strategy. Gain practical solutions to real HR problems, learn from industry experts, and network with peers who get it.
This is not your typical stuffy conference – it’s a high-energy, hands-on experience that will leave you inspired and equipped for success. Secure your seat and transform the way you lead your people.
Why attend?
Zero Sponsored Presentations – Pure Value
Forget day-long sales pitches disguised as talks. No sponsored presentations here – every session is packed with actionable insights from true experts. You’ll get strategies and tips you can use the very next day, without any filler or fluff.
PRACTICAL & ENGAGING SESSIONS
Enjoy power talks and interactive workshops that cut through theory and get straight to how-to tactics. In just one day, you’ll absorb the essentials and walk away with step-by-step guides, checklists, and tools. It’s learning by doing, not just listening!
NETWORK WITH HR PEERS
You’re not alone in facing HR headaches. Come connect with a community of HR professionals, business owners, and people leaders from across Australia. Swap stories, share solutions, and build a network of peers who understand your challenges.
STAY AHEAD OF TRENDS & LAWS
The HR world is changing fast. Hybrid work, AI tools, new workplace laws – we’ve got you covered. Get cutting-edge insights into emerging trends and upcoming regulations so you’re always ahead of the curve.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
This isn’t just inspiration – it’s about implementation. You’ll leave with clear takeaways and real solutions ready to implement. From handy compliance checklists to proven retention hacks, you’ll be equipped to make positive changes as soon as you’re back at work. Why wait for results when you can start seeing improvements right away?
QUALIFIED and EXPERIENCED PRESENTERS
Every presenter you’ll meet brings both strong credentials and years of hands-on experience. That means you won’t just hear the theory - you’ll gain practical insight into how it works in real-world situations.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN (KEY TAKEAWAYS)
By attending HR Challenges and Solutions 2026, you will gain:
Up-to-date HR Compliance Mastery
Navigate new legislation and regulatory risks with confidence. Learn exactly how to meet fresh legal obligations and keep your organisation safe from costly fines or disputes.
Talent Acquisition on a Budget
Innovative recruitment hacks to attract great talent without breaking the bank. From tapping into overseas and hidden local talent pools to building an employer brand that stands out – discover how to win the talent war even with limited resources.
Better Employee Wellbeing & Burnout Prevention
Effective strategies to support your team’s mental health. You’ll learn how to spot burnout early and implement affordable wellbeing programs that actually work, creating a healthier, more resilient workforce.
Proactive Conflict & Claims Management
A playbook for handling tough HR situations the right way. Get step-by-step guidance on managing unfair dismissal claims, general protection claims, conducting fair workplace investigations and meeting new positive duty obligations – so you can resolve issues with minimal drama and risk.
High-Performance Team Building
Techniques to boost performance and morale across your team. From setting up clear goals and feedback loops to addressing underperformance (while still supporting those with genuine issues), you’ll gain the tools to cultivate productive, engaged teams.
HR Tech & AI Demystified
A roadmap for leveraging technology without losing the human touch. Cut through the hype and see how AI and HR tech can automate repetitive tasks, improve hiring decisions, and provide data-driven insights – all while enhancing the employee experience.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This conference is designed for HR professionals at all levels, business owners and people managers in Australia who are eager to elevate their skills and stay ahead of 2026’s curve balls. You will benefit from this event if you are:
HR Manager, Director, and Team Leader looking for fresh ideas to drive strategy and solve new HR challenges.
Small/Medium Business Owners or Office Manager who juggle HR responsibilities and want practical guidance on people management and compliance.
People & Culture Advisor and HR Business Partner at startups or growing companies, keen to implement best practices as your organisation scales.
HR Consultant and Coach aiming to update your knowledge and toolkit to better serve your clients in the current climate.
Aspiring HR Professional and Student – whether you’re new to HR or a seasoned pro, if you’re hungry to learn what works now in the Aussie HR landscape, this conference is for you!
If you work with people, lead a team, or handle any HR function in Australia, you’ll gain immense value – regardless of your title or company size.
Conference Agenda
Section 1: HR Legislative Update – Navigating Regulatory Risks
- Mastering compliance – A practical step-by-step workshop on the latest HR laws and regulations impacting businesses in 2025/26 (so you know exactly what to do to stay compliant).
- Implementing “Right to Disconnect” – Clear strategies to roll out after-hours communication policies in line with new legislation, ensuring your employees can unplug and your company stays on the right side of the law.
- Audit-ready HR practices – Proactive checklists and tips to audit your payroll and employment practices for compliance (spot issues before the inspectors do!).
Section 2: Winning Talent on a Budget
- Creative recruitment hacks – Learn clever tactics to find talent in unconventional places, from tapping into overseas candidates to engaging hidden local communities and niche talent pools.
- Retention without big $$$ – Discover low-cost (and no-cost) initiatives that actually boost employee retention and satisfaction, proving you don’t need a Silicon Valley budget to keep your best people.
- Employer branding for SMEs – How to craft a compelling employer brand as a small or mid-size company. Turn your size into an advantage and attract quality candidates by showcasing what makes your workplace unique.
- Flexible work that works – Best practices for using flexible work arrangements to improve recruitment and retention. Find out how to make hybrid and flex schedules a win-win for your team and business.
- Attracting Gen Z – Get inside the minds of the newest generation in the workforce. We’ll share proven tactics to understand what Gen Z wants, and how to attract and retain young talent in 2025 and beyond.
Section 3: Employee Mental Health & Burnout Prevention
- Spotting burnout early – Practical tools and early-warning signs to help you and your managers identify burnout and fatigue in employees before productivity suffers.
- Wellbeing on a budget – How to implement impactful mental health and wellness programs on limited budgets. (Yes, you can significantly improve workplace wellbeing without fancy corporate programs!)
- Psychosocial risk assessment – A step-by-step guide for SMEs to meet new psychosocial safety requirements. Learn how to assess and address risks to mental health in the workplace in plain English.
- Proactive manager training – Tips to equip your leaders with skills to support employee mental health. From basic mental health first aid to fostering resilience and open communication, see what good leader support looks like.
Section 4: Managing Employee Claims & Misconduct (Step by Step)
- General protections & adverse action – Understand the ins and outs of General Protections claims. Learn how to prevent “adverse action” allegations with rock-solid policies and manager training on fair treatment.
- Unfair dismissal made fair – A practical guide to handling terminations properly. Process steps to drastically reduce the risk of unfair dismissal claims (and sleep easier at night).
- Effective workplace investigations – How to investigate employee complaints (like bullying, harassment, or misconduct) thoroughly, impartially, and quickly. We’ll share a clear roadmap to ensure investigations are done right every time.
- Sexual harassment safeguards – Go beyond compliance to create a safer workplace. Learn how to implement positive action plans and clear policies to meet new sexual harassment prevention duties, protect your people, and foster a respectful culture.
Section 5: Building Productive Teams – Performance & Underperformance
- Structured performance frameworks – Discover how to set up a performance management system that actually works. We’ll show you how to establish clear goals, continuous feedback loops, and recognition programs to drive high performance.
- Culture of growth – Tips to create a positive work environment where your top talent feels valued and can grow. Learn ways to develop your rising stars and keep them engaged and loyal.
- Foundations of fair performance management – Ensure consistency and fairness across the board. We cover the must-haves for effective performance management policies and how to communicate expectations and feedback transparently.
- Tackling underperformance – A guide to managing underperforming employees with empathy and effectiveness. Learn how to have those tough conversations, set improvement plans, and when to separate performance issues from potential mental health concerns.
Section 6: Smart Use of AI & Tech in HR
- HR automation – Save time (and sanity!) by automating tedious HR tasks. See demos of affordable tools for scheduling, leave approvals, payroll, and more – so you can focus on the human side of HR.
- Smarter hiring with AI – Learn how AI-powered software can help you screen resumes faster and even reduce unconscious bias in recruitment. Hire smarter, not harder.
- Employee experience 2.0 – Elevate your employee experience using technology. We’ll explore chatbots for common HR queries, self-service portals, and virtual onboarding techniques that keep employees happy and supported from day one.
- Data with purpose – Make HR analytics your secret weapon. Find out which metrics to track (engagement, burnout risk, turnover likelihood, etc.) and how to use data to predict issues before they happen – and impress the C-suite with strategic insights.
Panel Discussion:
The Future of HR Tech: Human Touch vs. Automation – cap off the day with a lively panel debate on where HR is headed. Can AI and automation truly enhance HR without replacing its heart? Hear real-world experiences from small business HR leaders about balancing cutting-edge tech with the human touch that’s so crucial in people management. Bring your questions and join the conversation!
Plus, plenty of Q&A and discussion throughout the day – so you can ask the experts directly about the challenges you are facing.
Speakers
Meet the thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of HR. Our speakers bring insights from top organisations and cutting-edge research. From keynote sessions to interactive panels, get ready to be inspired. Explore their stories and the expertise they'll share on stage.
Kathryn Macmillan
MHRM&IR, MRCSA CAHRI
CEO CIRCLE Recruitment & HR
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Event Details
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Join us for a healthy breakfast, connect with fellow nutrition professionals, and gain insights from leading experts.
Who we are
For over two decades, CIRCLE Recruitment & HR (CIRCLE RHR) – led by founder Kathryn MacMillan – has delivered client-focused recruitment and HR solutions with exceptional energy and the highest ethical standards. Kathryn MacMillan – who will serve as the conference’s main host – is a highly credentialed, award-winning HR leader holding a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations from the University of Sydney, and she boasts more than 20 years of industry expertise. Renowned for her dynamic approach, she is a sought-after speaker who delivers inspiring and motivating presentations that leave audiences energised and informed. The event is co-organized by nextmedia – one of Australia’s leading specialist publishing and events companies with a portfolio of 20+ media brands engaging professional communities – alongside Human Resources Online, APAC’s premier HR media platform (established 2004) devoted to advancing the HR profession through its influential content, conferences, awards programmes, and networks across the region. Together, this powerhouse team of organisers brings unparalleled industry expertise and credibility, ensuring a conference experience that’s as engaging as it is trusted by the HR community.
Organisers
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! We design our content to be valuable for all experience levels. If you’re newer to HR, you’ll gain a solid toolkit of practical strategies and a big-picture view of the current HR landscape. Seasoned pros will discover fresh insights, advanced tips, and innovative approaches to complement their experience. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or a veteran HR leader.
We’d love to see you in person because of the networking and interactive elements (nothing beats face-to-face connections!). But if travel is a hurdle, we have you covered: sessions will be available online after the conference for everyone who purchased the ticket. The price is the same.
Your ticket includes the full conference program – all speaker sessions, the panel discussion, and materials. Plus, we’ll kick off the morning with a great coffee/tea available to keep you energised, followed by light lunch. You’ll also get digital access to slides and resources shared by speakers after the event. Essentially, everything you need for an amazing, productive day of learning is included (just bring your notebook and business cards!).
Your ticket includes the full conference program – all speaker sessions, the panel discussion, and materials. Plus, we’ll kick off the morning with a great coffee/tea available to keep you energised, followed by light lunch. You’ll also get digital access to slides and resources shared by speakers after the event. Essentially, everything you need for an amazing, productive day of learning is included (just bring your notebook and business cards!).
Definitely! We know networking is a big part of the conference value. Along with group discussions during sessions, we’ve built in networking breaks (morning tea, lunch, and an afternoon coffee break). You’ll have plenty of chances to mingle with other attendees and speakers – whether to ask follow-up questions, share experiences, or even discuss potential opportunities. Come ready to make some new connections!
Show them the value: you’ll return with concrete solutions to improve compliance, save costs (e.g. reduce turnover, avoid legal fines), and strategies to boost productivity and engagement. The agenda is packed with topics directly tied to pressing business challenges in Australia (hiring, performance, etc.). Plus, mention that it’s a one-day event – minimal time away for maximum impact. We can also provide a summary of learning objectives or a letter to help you make the case. Investing in your professional development at this conference will benefit your whole organisation!
No problem – you’ll still gain enormous value. Come for the sessions you can, and catch up later with the slides and resources provided. Networking breaks are sprinkled throughout, so you’ll have multiple chances to connect.
Yes, we do! Bring your colleagues along and save - group bookings of 5+ attract a special rate. It’s the perfect way to strengthen your whole HR team at once.