Abstract submissions
Innovate. Inspire. Advance.
Submitting an abstract
Abstract submissions are now open for the 32nd National Conference and Exhibition 2027.
Please review the presentation formats, abstract requirements and submission criteria below before submitting your abstract.
Submit your abstract →Choose your preferred format
You will be asked to nominate your preferred presentation format when submitting your abstract.
Oral Presentation
15 minutes, comprising a 12-minute presentation and 3 minutes for questions. Abstracts not selected for an Oral Presentation may be considered for a Poster Display or Impact Insight.
Poster Display
Posters will be included in the conference program and displayed prominently in the exhibition hall.
Impact Insight
A concise 5-minute oral presentation focusing on quality improvement or practice-based research, using a single presentation slide.
Occupation Station
A 25-minute interactive session in which participants undertake an occupation or activity and explore its therapeutic use in practice.
Workshop
A 45-minute interactive session focused on audience participation, engagement and practical learning.
Scientific Research Panel
A 30-minute panel exploring a topical area of scientific research from multiple perspectives, comprising 20 minutes of discussion and 10 minutes for questions.
Preparing your abstract
Oral, Poster or Impact Insight
- Title
- Abstract of no more than 250 words
- Introduction/Rationale
- Objectives
- Method/Approach
- Results/Practice Implications
- Conclusion
Workshop, Panel or Occupation Station
- Title
- Abstract of no more than 250 words
- Introduction, including justification of the topic
- Learning objectives
- Educational methods
- Relevance to occupational therapy knowledge and practice
Important requirements
- References are not required. If included, they must appear within the abstract and count towards the 250-word limit.
- Use special symbols and formatting sparingly.
- Do not include tables or figures.
- Proposed studies or projects should be significantly advanced or completed when the abstract is submitted.
- Do not include author names, institutions or identifying information in the abstract, as submissions will be blind reviewed.
- Abstracts exceeding the word limit or not following the required format will not be accepted.
What you will need to provide
Method type
- Quantitative Research
- Qualitative Research
- Review Paper
- Mixed Methods Research
- Practice Note
- Other
Author and presenter information
- Author names and affiliations in publication order
- Identification of the presenting author or authors
- Presenter biography of 2–3 sentences, up to 100 words
- Permission to publish the abstract in conference materials
- Conflict of interest declaration
- Ethics approval information, where applicable
Select the most relevant theme
You will be asked to nominate the theme that best aligns with your abstract.
- Acute and emergency care
- Ageing and older persons
- Anti-oppressive practice
- Assessment and outcome measurement
- Children, young people and families
- Chronic conditions
- Consumer and lived-experience perspectives
- Climate Change/Planetary Health
- Culturally responsive care
- Disability
- Disaster preparedness, response and recovery
- Education and professional development
- Emerging and innovative practice
- Gender-affirming care
- Forensic practice
- Health promotion and prevention
- Implementation science
- First Nations health and social care
- Mental health
- Models, frameworks and processes
- Neurological practice
- Occupational rehabilitation and injury management
- Pain science and rehabilitation
- Palliative and End-of-life
- Policy and practice
- Primary healthcare
- Rehabilitation
- Rural and remote practice
- Trauma- and violence-informed care
- Technology and assistive technology
- Value-based healthcare, including health economics
- Workforce
Ready to submit?
Once you have prepared your abstract and reviewed the requirements, access the submission portal to begin.
Submit your abstractWould you like support developing your abstract?
Our Abstract Mentoring Program connects prospective presenters with an experienced mentor who can provide guidance as they develop their submission for the 32nd National Conference and Exhibition.
Mentors can provide feedback on the clarity, structure and focus of your abstract. Mentoring does not guarantee that an abstract will be accepted.
Requests for abstract mentoring close Friday, 4 September 2026.
Request abstract mentoring