Women Deliver 2026 Conference Sponsored Position Information

Open to 1 February 2026
Narrm (Melbourne), Australia
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The Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice is offering a limited number of sponsored positions for First Nations women, girls and gender-diverse peoples across Australia to attend the Women Deliver 2026 Conference in Narrm (Melbourne). This is a pivotal moment for First Nations women to share our knowledges, connect with global networks, and shape critical conversationson gender justice at an international level.

Key Dates

  • EOI Opens: 18th December 2025
  • EOI Closes: Sunday 1 February 2026 at 11:59pm (AEDT)
  • Applicants Notified: Early March 2026
  • Pre-conference preparation webinars: March-April 2026
  • Indigenous Pre-conference Gathering: Sunday 26 April 2026 (TBC)
  • WD2026 Conference: 27–30 April 2026

Apply via our EOI form

Complete the Expression of Interest form by Sunday 1 February 2026 at 11:59pm (AEDT).
The EOI should take about 20-30 minutes to complete. You can save your progress and return to it.
What You'll Need: Your contact details and some information about yourself; Details of the support you need (flights, accommodation, etc.); A few short answers about why you want to attend and how you'll share your learnings (in your own words — there's no wrong answer!); For young people aged 12–17: Your parent/guardian's contact details and their consent (they must be willing and able to attend with you)

About Women Deliver 2026 Conference

Women Deliver 2026 (WD2026) is a bold, inclusive gathering of more than 6,500 advocates from across feminist, grassroots, First Nations, youth-led, LGBTQIA+, and women's rights movements, alongside world leaders, creatives, private sector changemakers, academics, and media.

When: 27–30 April 2026 with pre-conference gathering on 26 April
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Narrm (Melbourne)—first time in the Oceanic Pacific region

Learn More

Who should apply

First Nations women, girls and gender-diverse peoples aged 12+ who:

  • Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • Can commit to attending the full conference including travel days (approximately 25 April – 1 May 2026)

Important: All attendees under 18 must be accompaniedby a registered parent/guardian throughout the conference. See FAQ below for details.

All First Nations Women, girls (12+) and gender-diverse peoples are welcome to apply.

‍

We especially encourage applications from mob who are often underrepresented at conferences like this:

  • Trans women and Sistergirls
  • Gender-diverse mob
  • Those living with disability and/or who are neurodivergent
  • Mob from remote and regional communities
  • Elders and senior knowledge holders
  • Young women and girls (aged 12+)
  • Mob with caring responsibilities for children, Elders or family members 

You don't need to identify with any of these groups to apply - if you're a First Nations woman, girl or gender-diverse person who wants to attend, we want to hear from you.

You don't need to be working in the "gender sector" to apply. Whether you're caring for Country, supporting community health, keeping language and culture alive, working in education, arts, business, law, or cultural heritage, your work connects to gender justice. Your voice, your experience, your knowledge, it all matters here.

What are we looking for

In selecting sponsored positions, we'll consider:

  • Why First Nations Gender Justice matters to you
  • How attending the conference will support your growth and development
  • How you'll share what you learn with your community
  • Your connection to or involvement with First Nations women, girls and gender-diverse peoples
  • Geographic diversity (ensuring we support mob from different parts of Australia)
  • Diversity of experiences and identities (ensuring we support mob with LGBTQIA+SB identities, disability, age, different lived expereinces)

There's no perfect application. We want to hear your voice and your story in your own words.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the sponsored position cover?

When applying, you can select what support you need:

  • Conference registration fee ($550 USD)
  • Return flights to Melbourne (or train/bus/fuel reimbursement and parking if coming from regional Victoria)
  • Accommodation in Melbourne (5-6 nights)
  • Meals allowance
  • Airport transfers

Free from Women Deliver:

  • One parent/guardian registration for those accompanying 12-17 year olds
  • Free attendance for children under 12 (for parent/guardians attending with a child)
  • One disability support companion registration (if required)
Can I get additional support for my family/carers?

We have limited additional funding and will work with selected applicants to explore support for:

  • Companions, carers, or children required to travel with you
  • Guardian/parent flights and accommodation (for those aged 12–17)
  • Disability support person flights and accommodation
  • Children's travel and accommodation costs (for those aged 0-12)
  • Specific accessibility needs

Please share your support needs in the application so we can discuss options together. Don't let uncertainty about additional support stop you from applying.

I live in Melbourne - am I eligible?

Yes!

Melbourne metropolitan area residents: Eligible for conference registration sponsorship.

Regional Victoria residents: Eligible for conference registration, accommodation, and transportation support.

What does "full conference including travel days" mean?

You must be available for the entire period:

Typical Schedule:

  • Saturday 25 April: Travel to Melbourne (earlier if from remote areas)
  • Sunday 26 April: Indigenous Pre-conference Gathering
  • Monday 27 – Thursday 30 April: Women Deliver Conference
  • Thursday 30 April or Friday 1 May: Travel home

We'll work with you on exact arrangements if selected, but you must commit to all conference dates (26–30 April) plus necessary travel days.

What happens after I apply?
  1. ‍Submit EOI by 11:59 AEDT Sunday 1 February 2026
  2. ‍A selection panel will review all applications based on selection criteria ‍
  3. You're notified by early March ‍
  4. If selected: We send you a detailed form to confirm travel arrangements and gather additional information
  5. March-April: Online preparation meetings/calls
  6. 26 April: Indigenous pre-conference gathering - meet Indigenous women from around the world
  7. 27-30 April: Women Deliver Conference
  8. Post-Conference: debrief session and sharing learnings with your communitiy
What is the Institute delegation?

Selected sponsored position recipients will be part of the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute delegation.

Before the conference:

  • Participate in online preparation meetings
  • Connect with delegation and Institute team
  • Learn about the conference program and Ways of Working

During the conference:

  • Attend the Indigenous pre-conference gathering (26 April)
  • Support each other throughout the conference
  • Access Institute team members for support
  • Be part of filming/documentation (with your consent) to capture and share the delegation's experience

After the conference:

  • Share learnings with your community
  • Participate in a debrief session
  • Connect learnings back to your community, organisation, or work
  • Stay connected with the Wiyi Yani U Thangani network
What are the Ways of Working?

The conference delegation will be guided by the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Ways of Working: (re)learning, lateral love, respect and relationality, embracing all our identities, deep listening, beingself-reflective and aware, intergenerational action, shaping and keeping balance, and sense-making.

Read more on pages 64–65 of the Change Agenda.

For Parents/Guardians (Young People aged 12-17)

What are my responsibilities as a parent/guardian?

Women Deliver 2026 requires all under-18s to be accompaniedby a registered parent/guardian. If your young person is selected, you must:

  • Be willing and able to attend the full conference with them
  • Be available for the full period (approximately 25 April – 1 May 2026)
  • Provide consent for your young person to apply and attend
  • Supervise and hold responsibility your young person throughout theconference

 

What support will I receive?

Women Deliver provide complimentary conferencere gistration for one guardian accompanying 12–17-year-olds.

If you require financial support to attend with your young person (such as flights, accommodation, meals, or airport transfers), please indicate which supports you require in the application so we can discuss options. We have limited additional funding and will do our best to support as many young people as possible.

For Those Travelling with Children Under 12

Can I bring my children under 12?

Yes, Women Deliver 2026 allows children under 12 to attend free if accompanying a registered parent/guardian.

If you require financial support for your children to attend with you (such as flights, accommodation, meals, or airport transfers), please indicate which supports you require in the application so we can discuss options.

 

What about childcare in Melbourne?

For local childcare options in Melbourne during conference sessions, contact Women Deliver at wd2026@womendeliver.org

Accessibility & Support

What accessibility support is available?

We're committed to creating an accessible, safe and supportive environment. Please share your support needs in your application.

‍

Women Deliver 2026 provides

  • Accessible venue and facilities at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • Simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Spanish at all Plenary and Concurrent Sessions
  • International Sign Language interpretation at all Plenaries and select sessions
  • Quiet spaces and sensory accommodations

Learn more about accessibility at WD2026

For specific accessibility support, contact: accessibility@womendeliver.org

 

Can I bring a support person?

Yes! Women Deliver provides free conference registration for one disability support companion if required for you to attend. We also have limited funding to explore support for your companion's travel and accommodation - share your needs in the application.

Application Support

Contact us at wyut@anu.edu.au and we can provide a Word version or support you in other ways to apply.

  • How long does the application take? About 20-30 minutes to complete. You can save your progress and return to it later.
  • What if I have questions about my application? Contact us at wyut@anu.edu.au- we're here to help and want to make sure everyone who's interested can apply.
  • What if I need to withdraw my application? If you're selected but circumstances change and you can no longer attend, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting wyut@anu.edu.au.

Still have questions? Contact us at wyut@anu.edu.au.

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