When and where is the Neurodiversity in Schools Leadership Summit?

The conference runs on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 March 2027 at Rydges Sydney Central, 28 Albion Street, Surry Hills, and live online. Primary and secondary pre-conference workshops are on Tuesday 2 March and the post-conference strategy workshop is on Friday 5 March.

Can I attend the summit online?

Yes. Every session, including the workshops, is streamed live and recorded. Online delegates receive the same materials as the room.

How much does the Neurodiversity in Schools Leadership Summit cost?

Schools rate, First In until 18 December 2026: conference in person $1,799, conference live online $1,499, workshop only $799, conference and one workshop $2,399, all four days $2,999, all in AUD excluding GST. Government and other organisations and Commercial rates also apply. Groups of 3 or more save, and a table of 8 is the best group price.

In person in Sydney + live online · Neurodiversity Leadership Summit series

Neurodiversity in Schools Leadership Summit Sydney 2027

You know these students. Leading better outcomes for autistic, ADHD and all neurodivergent students.

When2 to 5 March 2027

WhereRydges Sydney Central, Surry Hills

Programme4 days · 2 conference days · primary and secondary workshops · post-conference strategy workshop

Book your spot See the programme

A primary school student in uniform walking alone along a path to school

About the summit

The only summit built for schools, by schools.

A teacher sitting beside a young student, working through his writing together

1 in 4Australian students now receive a disability adjustment

Australia's only leadership summit dedicated to neurodiversity in schools: the event where principals, heads of inclusion and the wider education community come together to lead better outcomes for autistic, ADHD and all neurodivergent students.

You know these students. The Year 2 boy who can't get through the morning without a meltdown. The Year 9 girl who holds it together in class and falls apart at home. The student whose attendance has slipped to three days a week. And the parent outside your office asking why the plan isn't working.

More than one in four Australian students now receives an adjustment for disability, and nine in ten public school principals say their school is under-resourced to support them. Thriving Kids is sending more support through the school gate from 2027. This summit is two days for the people responsible for making it work, with a practical workshop either side: principals who have built inclusive schools, the specialists who advise them, and young people who can tell you what helped.

Need your principal’s approval?

We’ve written the email for you. It covers the summit, the dates, what it costs and why it’s worth two days out of school. Add your name and email to download it as a Word doc, and we’ll send you a copy too.

Get the approval email template

Want to talk it through?

Ask our team about the programme, which workshop suits your school, or bringing your leadership team.

Request a Call Get a group quotePrefer to phone? Call (02) 8294 2044.

For your approver

Make the case to your principal or director

What you’ll bring back

A clear read on Thriving Kids and your obligations under the Disability Standards for Education, a whole-school model of support, strategies that reduce suspensions and school refusal, and a 90-day plan for Term 2.

Who you’ll be in the room with

Principals, heads of inclusion and wellbeing leaders from government, Catholic and independent schools, the specialists who advise them, and young people who can tell you what helped at school.

What it costs, and how it’s covered

Conference only is $1,799 + GST at the Schools rate until 18 December, then $1,999. Groups of three or more save. You can send a colleague in your place at no extra cost, every session is live online and recorded, and your school can pay by purchase order.

Get the ready-made email for your principalPrices in AUD, excluding GST.

What delegates say about our summits

The first summit of its kind. Not our first summit.

“The speakers were next level. Raw, honest, and inspiring.”

Delegate, BoeingLeadership Institute summit

“This was one of those events where you felt looked after. Nothing felt forced or too formal. Just well-planned, respectful of time, and really welcoming. Great speakers!”

Delegate, Origin EnergyLeadership Institute summit

“Very practical and applicable to my work.”

Delegate, IPEALeadership Institute summit

“Absolutely outstanding event. The concepts about leadership and what organisations are doing gives me hope for my grandchildren that the support is out there.”

Delegate, Department of DefenceLeadership Institute summit

“The speakers were inspiring, but they also gave us clear takeaways.”

Delegate, Australian Taxation OfficeLeadership Institute summit

The Leadership Institute has run leadership summits across Australia and New Zealand since 2018, including the Neurodiversity Leadership Summit, with delegates fromNSW Department of Education, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Defence, NAB, QBE, HESTA, Australian Retirement Trust, Boeing, Origin Energy

Speakers and facilitators

Principals, specialists and young people who have lived it

Opening keynote

What has changed, and what it means for your school

Speaker to be announced

Education lawyer

Your obligations under the Disability Standards for Education

Speaker to be announced

Principals' panel

Three principals from government, Catholic and independent schools

Panellists to be announced

Head of Inclusion

A whole-school model for every neurodivergent learner

Case study · Speaker to be announced

Behaviour and regulation specialist

Behaviour, regulation and fewer suspensions

Day 2 keynote · Speaker to be announced

Lived experience

A neurodivergent young adult on what helped at school

Speaker to be announced

Clinicians' panel

A paediatrician or psychologist, a speech pathologist, an occupational therapist and a school leader

Panellists to be announced

Workshop facilitators

Primary, secondary and whole-school strategy workshops

Facilitators to be announced

The programme

Four days, one plan for your school

Two conference days with a one-hour panel each day, separate primary and secondary workshops before, and a joint strategy workshop after. Pick a day, then tap any session for the details. Speakers are announced through November and December.

Pre-conference workshops · Choose primary or secondary: Tue 2 Mar

Two full-day workshops, 9.00am to 4.00pm. In person and live online.

9:00 AM to 4:00 PMWorkshop A · PrimaryWorkshop A, Primary: Leading inclusion in the early and primary yearsFacilitator to be announced

Thriving Kids, early identification and calmer classrooms. Primary schools are often the first to notice that a child is struggling. With Thriving Kids now rolling out, they will play an even bigger part in early support.

Thriving Kids and your school: targeted supports from 2027, NDIS changes from 2028, and what schools will be expected to do
Responding early, with or without a diagnosis: recognising functional need in the first weeks of school, early signs of autism, ADHD, dyslexia and developmental language disorder, and recording adjustments for the NCCD
Regulation-first classrooms: sensory-aware spaces, co-regulation, and reducing meltdowns, restrictive practices and exclusions
Working with families: raising concerns early and with care, and working alongside a family's paediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist or occupational therapist

9:00 AM to 4:00 PMWorkshop B · SecondaryWorkshop B, Secondary: Leading inclusion in the secondary yearsFacilitator to be announced

Masking, attendance, assessment and life after school. Neurodivergent students in secondary school can be hard to see until their attendance drops or their results fall away.

Masking, girls and late diagnosis: recognising students who cope at school and struggle at home, and support that doesn't depend on a label
School refusal and attendance: early warning signs, and return-to-school plans that students and families agree to
Assessment and exam adjustments: consistency across subject teachers, and senior exam provisions under the new rules
Life after school: transition planning from Year 10, and building independence and self-advocacy

Conference day 1 · Understanding the shift: Wed 3 Mar

9.00am to 4.00pm, then networking drinks. In person and live online.

8:30 AMRegistration and coffee

9:00 AMMCAcknowledgement of Country and welcomeMC to be announced

9:10 AMOpening keynoteMore than one in four students. What has changed, and what it means for your schoolSpeaker to be announced

Why autism, ADHD and other neurodivergent diagnoses have risen, and what teachers are seeing in classrooms
Thriving Kids, NDIS reform and the shift of support into schools
What the research says about outcomes for neurodivergent students

9:55 AMSession 2Your obligations: the Disability Standards for Education in practiceEducation or discrimination lawyer, to be announced

Consultation and reasonable adjustments: what the Standards require of schools
Suspensions, exclusions and restrictive practices: where schools are most exposed
The 2025 review of the Standards: what may change, and responding to complaints early

10:40 AMMorning tea and networking

11:10 AMPanel discussion · 60 minutesBuilding an inclusive school. Principals in conversationThree principals from government, Catholic and independent schools, to be announced

Where to start, and what to stop doing
Bringing staff, families and your board or system with you
What made the biggest difference for students

12:10 PMLunch and networking

1:10 PMCase studyA whole-school model for every neurodivergent learnerHead of Inclusion or Diverse Learning, to be announced

Tiered support that reaches every student who needs it, with or without a diagnosis
Using NCCD data to plan and allocate resources
Knowing whether it's working

1:55 PMSession 5Building staff capability without burning out your best teachersInclusive education academic or system leader, to be announced

Professional learning that changes classroom practice
Deploying teacher aides and learning support teams where they lift learning
Looking after staff wellbeing as demand grows

2:40 PMAfternoon tea and networking

3:00 PMLived experienceWhat helped me at schoolA neurodivergent young adult, to be announced

The moments that made a difference
What school leaders got right, and what they missed
Questions from the room

3:45 PMCloseMC's summary and close of Day 1. Three things to take into tomorrow

4:00 PMNetworking drinks, included with your conference pass

Conference day 2 · Putting it into practice: Thu 4 Mar

9.00am to 4.00pm. In person and live online.

9:00 AMMCWelcome back and reflections from Day 1MC to be announced

9:10 AMKeynoteBehaviour, regulation and fewer suspensionsBehaviour and regulation specialist, to be announced

What the evidence says works for neurodivergent students
Moving from consequences to regulation while keeping classrooms orderly
Reducing suspensions and exclusions safely

9:55 AMSession 2Working with parents when relationships are strainedExperienced principal with a family advocate, to be announced

Setting expectations and building trust from the first meeting
Managing disagreement, complaints and advocates
Bringing parents into the plan

10:40 AMMorning tea and networking

11:10 AMPanel discussion · 60 minutesSchools and clinicians. Who does what?A paediatrician or psychologist, a speech pathologist, an occupational therapist and a school leader, to be announced

Working with paediatricians, psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists
How Thriving Kids providers will work with schools
Sharing reports and plans without overloading teachers

12:10 PMLunch and networking

1:10 PMSession 4Resourcing inclusion: funding, NCCD and making every dollar countLearning support or business leader, school system, to be announced

The 2026 NCCD Guidelines, post-enumeration audits and the new federal compliance measure: getting your evidence right
Structuring learning support teams and teacher aide time
Making the case to your board or system

1:55 PMCase studyGetting students back to schoolSchool leader with a successful attendance program, to be announced

Spotting attendance problems early
Return plans built with students and families
Results and lessons from one school

2:40 PMAfternoon tea and networking

3:00 PMClosing keynoteMaking change lastPrincipal or system leader, to be announced

Building a culture of inclusion that doesn't depend on one person
Your 90-day plan: three actions to take back to school

3:45 PMCloseMC's summary and close of conference

Post-conference workshop · Primary and secondary together: Fri 5 Mar

9.00am to 4.00pm. In person and live online. Bring your school's data.

9:00 AM to 4:00 PMWorkshopFrom plan to practice: building your whole-school inclusion strategyFacilitator to be announced

After two days of ideas, this workshop is about deciding what your school will actually do. It is a working day, not a listening day. You will spend most of it with your own school's numbers in front of you, alongside leaders from other schools solving the same problems.

Where is your school now? Reviewing current practice, policies and data, and identifying the gaps that carry the most risk
Policy and compliance: aligning school policy with the Disability Standards for Education, and recording consultation and adjustments without extra paperwork
People and capability: a professional learning plan staff will use, and clear roles for learning support, wellbeing staff and teacher aides
Families, measures and your 12-month plan: explaining your approach to families, measuring what matters, and building your 12-month plan

Bring: your NCCD summary, attendance and suspension data, and your current inclusion or learning support policy.

See pricing Download brochure

Why attend

Eight things you'll take back to school

Every session on the programme answers to one of these.

A clear understanding of Thriving Kids, what it will ask of schools, and how to prepare before it reaches full scale in 2028

Confidence about your obligations under the Disability Standards for Education: consultation, adjustments, suspensions and complaints

A whole-school model of support that reaches every neurodivergent student, with or without a formal diagnosis

Practical ways to build staff confidence without adding to teacher workload, including getting more from teacher aides

Strategies that reduce dysregulation, suspensions and school refusal

Better ways to work with families, especially when relationships are strained

A 90-day action plan to share with your leadership team

Contacts across government, Catholic and independent schools working on the same problems

Who should attend

Principals and Deputy PrincipalsHeads of Inclusion and Diverse LearningLearning Support CoordinatorsWellbeing and Pastoral Care LeadersSchool Psychologists and CounsellorsSystem and sector inclusion leaders

For principals and school leaders in government, Catholic and independent schools: primary, secondary and K-12. Bring your leadership team.

See pricing

Who should attend

Built for the people who carry inclusion in a school

For government, Catholic and independent schools: primary, secondary and K-12. Most sessions are pitched at school leaders rather than classroom teachers. Bring your leadership team: groups of three or more save.

Principals, Heads of School and Deputy Principals

Understand what the law and Thriving Kids now ask of your school, and leave with a 90-day plan your leadership team can own.

Heads of Inclusion, Diverse Learning and Learning Support

A whole-school model that reaches every neurodivergent student, and the NCCD evidence to fund it.

Learning Support Coordinators and Special Education Leaders

Practical approaches to adjustments, regulation and teacher aide deployment you can take straight back to school.

Directors and Leaders of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

Attendance, school refusal, anxiety and the families who need you most.

Heads of Junior and Senior School, and Year Coordinators

Choose the primary or secondary workshop, then join the conference days together.

School Psychologists and Counsellors

Where clinical practice meets school policy, and how to work with the paediatricians, psychologists and therapists outside the gate.

System and sector leaders responsible for inclusion and disability

Education departments, Catholic and independent sector offices, and the agencies and allied health services that work alongside schools. The Government and other organisations rate applies.

Bringing a team? See group rates and tables of 8Need your principal’s OK? Get our email template

Pricing

Book now at First In rates

First In rates run until 18 December 2026 and are the lowest price this summit will be. The Schools rate is for staff employed at a government, Catholic or independent school. Attend in person at Rydges Sydney Central or live online.

Save $400

Conference, in person

Both conference days, 3 and 4 March

$1,799

Schools First In rate until 18 Dec · AUD ex GST

First In, until 18 December $1,799
Early Bird, until 12 February $1,999
Standard, from 13 February $2,199
Live online: $1,499 / $1,699 / $1,899

Save $600

Conference + one workshop

Both conference days plus the primary or secondary workshop, or the post-conference workshop

$2,399

Schools First In rate until 18 Dec · AUD ex GST

First In, until 18 December $2,399
Early Bird, until 12 February $2,699
Standard, from 13 February $2,999

Best value · Save $700

All four days

Both conference days and both workshops, 2 to 5 March

$2,999

Schools First In rate until 18 Dec · AUD ex GST

First In, until 18 December $2,999
Early Bird, until 12 February $3,399
Standard, from 13 February $3,699

Save $200

Workshop only

The primary or secondary pre-conference workshop, or the post-conference strategy workshop

$799

Per workshop day · Schools First In rate until 18 Dec · AUD ex GST

First In, until 18 December $799
Early Bird, until 12 February $899
Standard, from 13 February $999
Same price in person or live online

Government and other organisations rate

For education departments, sector offices, agencies, health, NDIS and allied health services, and all other organisations.
Conference in person: $2,199 first in, $2,399 early bird, $2,599 standard. Live online: $1,899 / $2,099 / $2,299
Workshop only: $999 / $1,099 / $1,199. Conference and one workshop: $2,899 / $3,199 / $3,499. All four days: $3,699 / $4,099 / $4,499

Bring your leadership team

5% off for 3 attendees, 10% off for 4 to 5, 15% off for 6 or more. Bringing 8 or more? A table of 8 is your best price.
Group discounts are claimed through our team, not at checkout. Call (02) 8294 2044 or email info@theleadershipinstitute.com.au and we will arrange it. Discounts cannot be combined.
Paying by purchase order? Your rate is set by the date you register, not the date you pay. Register by 18 December and we will invoice your school.
Need your principal's or director's OK first? Get our email template

Table of 8

Conference in person, Schools rate: $12,599 first in, $13,999 early bird, $15,399 standard
All four days, Schools rate: $20,999 first in, $23,799 early bird, $25,899 standard
Team of 8, conference live online, Schools rate: $10,499 first in, $11,899 early bird, $13,299 standard
Government and other organisations: conference table $15,399 / $16,799 / $18,199; all four days $25,899 / $28,699 / $31,499; online team $13,299 / $14,699 / $16,099

Commercial rate

For organisations that sell products or services to schools. Conference $3,299, all four days $4,999. Group discounts do not apply.
Exhibiting or sponsoring? See exhibitor packages

Lock in the First In rate Get the email for your principal

Prices are in Australian dollars and exclude GST. The Schools rate applies to staff employed at a school. Group discounts are claimed through our team, not at checkout, cannot be combined, and do not apply to tables of 8 or the commercial rate. To claim a discount, call (02) 8294 2044 or email info@theleadershipinstitute.com.au.

Past event highlights

See our summits for yourself

This is the first Neurodiversity in Schools Leadership Summit, but not our first summit. Pick a reel to see the room, the speakers and the conversations at past Leadership Institute summits.

Now showing

Leadership Institute summit highlights

The room, the speakers and the conversations

Good to know

Questions before you book

Can't find what you need? Call (02) 8294 2044 or email info@theleadershipinstitute.com.au.

When and where is the summit?

The conference runs on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 March 2027 at Rydges Sydney Central, 28 Albion Street, Surry Hills, a short walk from Central Station. Both days run from 9.00am to 4.00pm, with registration from 8.30am on Day 1 and networking drinks after Day 1. The primary and secondary pre-conference workshops are on Tuesday 2 March and the post-conference strategy workshop is on Friday 5 March, each 9.00am to 4.00pm.

Can I attend online?

Yes. Every session, including the workshops, is streamed live. Choose a live online pass at checkout to join from your school and take part through the event app. Online delegates receive the same materials as the room, and all sessions are recorded.

Who is this summit for?

Principals, deputy principals, heads of inclusion and diverse learning, learning support coordinators, wellbeing and pastoral care leaders, school psychologists and counsellors, and system and sector leaders responsible for inclusion. It is built for government, Catholic and independent schools, primary, secondary and K-12. Most sessions are pitched at school leaders rather than classroom teachers.

Is this the same as the Neurodiversity Leadership Summit?

No. The Neurodiversity in Schools Leadership Summit is a separate event in The Leadership Institute's Neurodiversity Leadership Summit series. It is the only summit in Australia dedicated to neurodiversity in schools, built for school leaders and the education community: autistic, ADHD and all neurodivergent students, the Disability Standards for Education, NCCD, Thriving Kids, behaviour and attendance.

Which workshop should I choose?

Workshop A on Tuesday 2 March is for primary leaders: Thriving Kids, early identification and calmer classrooms. Workshop B, on the same day, is for secondary leaders: masking, attendance, assessment and life after school. Leaders of K-12 schools often split their team across both. The post-conference workshop on Friday 5 March brings primary and secondary leaders together to build a whole-school inclusion strategy, so bring your NCCD summary, attendance and suspension data, and your current policy.

Are there discounts for groups?

Yes. Groups save 5% for 3 attendees, 10% for 4 to 5 and 15% for 6 or more, and a table of 8 is our best group price. Discounts cannot be combined and do not apply to tables of 8 or the commercial rate. They are not on the registration page: request a call, phone (02) 8294 2044 or email info@theleadershipinstitute.com.au and our team will arrange it and send a written quote within one business day.

Which rate applies to me?

The Schools rate is for staff employed at a government, Catholic or independent school. Staff of education departments, sector offices, agencies, health, NDIS and allied health services pay the Government and other organisations rate. Organisations that sell products or services to schools pay the Commercial rate. All prices are in Australian dollars and exclude GST.

Can my school pay by purchase order?

Yes. Your rate is set by the date you register, not the date you pay. Register by 18 December to lock in the First In rate and we will invoice your school. You will receive a confirmation email with your invoice and all event information.

What if I can no longer attend?

You can send a colleague in your place at no extra cost, or transfer your registration to another Leadership Institute event. If you cancel, email info@theleadershipinstitute.com.au and you will receive a credit note valid for 12 months. Cancellations made less than 14 days before the event receive a credit note less a $300 service fee. We do not provide refunds for cancellations.

Is the summit accessible for neurodivergent delegates?

Yes, and we practise what the programme preaches: a quiet reset space open all day, a predictable agenda with clear timings, considered lighting and sound, optional networking, questions through the app, on paper or out loud, and slides and handouts in plain language shared before the day. Tell us your access needs at registration and our team will be ready.

Is there discounted accommodation?

Yes. Discount accommodation is available at Rydges Sydney Central for summit delegates. Booking details are included in your confirmation email.

Exhibitors and sponsors

Put your organisation in front of the school leaders who decide.

Principals, heads of inclusion, learning support coordinators and wellbeing leaders from government, Catholic and independent schools, in one room for two days. If you provide assistive technology, allied health, assessment, professional learning or inclusion resources to schools, this is your audience, with real conversations at breaks, lunch and networking drinks.

Exhibition

Exhibitor stand

From $2,500AUD, excl. GST · limited places

A stand in the delegate break area for both conference days
Two exhibitor passes, including lunch and networking drinks
Your logo on the event website and in the brochure

Download the prospectus

Partner packages

Headline, Spotlight and Workshop Partner

On applicationAUD, excl. GST · one headline partner

Speak, host a session or present a case study
Your brand in the brochure, on the website and on stage
Attendee list and thank-you email options

Talk to our team

Partner an experience

Live online and networking drinks

From $4,000AUD, excl. GST · one of each available

Live online partner, reaching every school joining online
Networking drinks partner, Day 1

Talk to our team

Download the exhibitor prospectus Book a callPrefer to talk? Call (02) 8294 2044.

Neurodiversity in Schools Leadership Summit Sydney 2027

First In rates end 18 December. Time left:

The only summit built for schools, by schools.

Need your principal’s approval?

Want to talk it through?

Make the case to your principal or director

What you’ll bring back

Who you’ll be in the room with

What it costs, and how it’s covered

Talk it through with Jane Bacon

The first summit of its kind. Not our first summit.

Explore the Event

Principals, specialists and young people who have lived it

Opening keynote

Education lawyer

Principals' panel

Head of Inclusion

Behaviour and regulation specialist

Lived experience

Clinicians' panel

Workshop facilitators

Four days, one plan for your school

Pre-conference workshops · Choose primary or secondary: Tue 2 Mar

Conference day 1 · Understanding the shift: Wed 3 Mar

Conference day 2 · Putting it into practice: Thu 4 Mar

Post-conference workshop · Primary and secondary together: Fri 5 Mar

Eight things you'll take back to school

Who should attend

Built for the people who carry inclusion in a school

Principals, Heads of School and Deputy Principals

Heads of Inclusion, Diverse Learning and Learning Support

Learning Support Coordinators and Special Education Leaders

Directors and Leaders of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

Heads of Junior and Senior School, and Year Coordinators

School Psychologists and Counsellors

System and sector leaders responsible for inclusion and disability

First In rates end 18 December. Time left:

Book now at First In rates

Conference, in person

Conference + one workshop

All four days

Workshop only

Government and other organisations rate

Bring your leadership team

Table of 8

Commercial rate

Talk to Jane Bacon, Customer Success and Care Manager

See our summits for yourself

Leadership Institute summit highlights

Moments from our summits

Questions before you book

Put your organisation in front of the school leaders who decide.

Exhibitor stand

Headline, Spotlight and Workshop Partner

Live online and networking drinks

Talk it through with Jane Bacon

You know these students. Lead the school that gets it right for them.

Contact us

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