VETDSS
SUMMIT 2026
FRIDAY 19th JUNE
Crown Conference Centre Melbourne
Be Part of the Conversation Shaping the Future of VETDSS
About
Senior secondary education is no longer just about meeting compliance requirements — it’s about keeping young people engaged, supported and genuinely prepared for life beyond school.
The VETDSS Summit brings together school leaders, VET practitioners, careers teams and industry partners to explore how high-quality VET delivery can actively strengthen student wellbeing, increase engagement and create meaningful post-school pathways — particularly for diverse and at-risk learners.
This is not theory.
It’s practical, school-ready strategies that work.
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Program
The program sessions will all focus on how quality VET delivery supports student wellbeing, engagement, and post-school success.
Sessions will:
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Demonstrate excellence in VETDSS delivery, assessment, program design, or partnership engagement
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Share practical strategies, tools and resources that participants can adopt and apply in their own contexts
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Inspire sector collaboration, innovation, reflection, and continuous improvement
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Highlight measurable impact on student outcomes, pathways, industry engagement, or program quality
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Showcase models that strengthen school–RTO partnerships, industry involvement, or student support
Breakout Sessions
VET Practice
Teaching, assessment and learning environments that actively support student wellbeing and engagement.
VET Pathways
Clear, supported transitions from school to employment, apprenticeships and further education.
VET Programs
Supporting high-quality VETDSS delivery models that work for students, schools and industry partners.
Keynote Speaker
Dr Natalie Flatt, PhD
Director | Chief Mental Health Officer | Co-Founder, Connect Psych Services
Dr Natalie Flatt is a psychologist, organisational mental health strategist, and Co-Founder of Connect Psych Services, with more than 20 years’ experience designing mentally healthy, high-performing workplace cultures.
Her career spans clinical, educational, and organisational settings. She began as a child psychologist, working closely with young people, families, and school systems, and spent many years supporting teachers and education leaders to manage the psychological demands of their roles.
Natalie specialises in translating psychological science and workforce data into practical, measurable strategies that strengthen wellbeing, performance, and sustainable work design.
Her work goes beyond awareness. She helps organisations move from individual-focused wellbeing initiatives to integrated, evidence-based approaches that drive trust, innovation, retention, and long-term organisational outcomes.
Session Detail
Teacher Wellbeing as Quality Practice
A Psychosocial Approach to VETDSS
VET Delivered to Secondary Students plays a critical role in shaping student pathways, yet the educators and coordinators leading this work often experience role ambiguity, compliance pressure, professional isolation, and the emotional load of supporting diverse and disengaged learners. This keynote positions psychosocial safety not as an individual self-care task, but as a work design and system responsibility that underpins teacher wellbeing, program quality, and student engagement. Through a practical and evidence-informed lens, the session will explore how clarity of role, collective support, trauma-informed approaches, and psychologically safe environments enable sustainable VET delivery while strengthening both compliance and connection.
Organisations Speaking At the VETDSS Summit 2026
Why This Matters for Your School
At a time when schools are balancing wellbeing priorities, engagement challenges and accountability demands, strong VETDSS delivery can:
✔ Increase student engagement, retention and confidence in senior years
✔ Strengthen wellbeing through purposeful, hands-on learning
✔ Provide structured, supported transitions into work and further study
✔ Deliver inclusive pathways without adding administrative burden
✔ Align VET programs with your school’s strategic wellbeing goals
When VET is delivered well, it becomes a powerful engagement strategy — not just a timetable option.
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Be Part of the Conversation Shaping the Future of VETDSS
Join sector peers who are committed to delivering VET that is not only compliant — but transformative.
Book today and secure your school’s place at the VETDSS Summit.
Further program highlights and registration details will be released shortly.
Event Sponsors
The Learning Resources Group
TLRG builds smart systems that make complex compliance and capability requirements clear, practical, and manageable.
Our Robot by TLRG SaaS platform supports organisations across education, training, workforce development, and regulated industries where standards are high and time is limited. We turn convoluted frameworks into clear, actionable pathways, helping organisations understand what's required, why it matters, and how to meet expectations sustainably.
Robot by TLRG manages Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital assessments, learner interventions, and regulatory evidence collection, reducing administrative burden through structured, task-specific tools.
We help small teams operate with the confidence and impact of much larger organisations.
VEG Education
VEG Education is proud to support the VETDSS Summit as a sponsor, championing high-quality vocational education that connects students to real careers and real industry.
As a leading provider of food and fibre education, VEG Education partners with schools, industry bodies and communities to deliver engaging, hands-on VET programs that build skills, confidence and clear pathways into employment.
With a strong focus on sustainability, safety and workforce development, VEG Education is committed to strengthening the future talent pipeline and ensuring VETDSS is recognised as a powerful, first-choice pathway for young people. RTO 45732
Academy Training & Assessment
Academy Training & Assessment is proud to support the VETDSS Summit as a sponsor, bringing a strong commitment to high-quality vocational education and real-world skill development.
As a registered training organisation (RTO No. 46340), Academy Training & Assessment partners with schools and industry to deliver practical, industry-aligned programs that prepare students for further training, apprenticeships and employment.
With a focus on student engagement, quality outcomes and strong stakeholder collaboration, Academy Training & Assessment plays an important role in strengthening pathways and elevating the impact of VETDSS across the sector.
Hort Innovation
Hort Innovation is proud to support the VETDSS Summit as a sponsor, investing in the future of Australia’s horticulture industry through education, innovation and workforce development.
As the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture, Hort Innovation drives initiatives that build capability, strengthen career pathways and connect young people to opportunities across the food and fibre sector.
Through its support of education programs and industry partnerships, Hort Innovation is helping to inspire the next generation and ensure a skilled, sustainable workforce for the future.
ReadCloudVET
With ReadCloudVET, schools can unlock choice and opportunity for students, expanding study options and future pathways. We partner with secondary schools to deliver high-quality VET programs that engage students and support positive learning experiences in classrooms. From seamless implementation to clear compliance processes, we make it simple for schools to deliver impactful programs with confidence.
With over 50 nationally recognised qualifications across a broad range of industry areas, our course materials are developed by our in-house learning and assessment team using a practical, hands-on approach that builds real-world skills. We recognise that every school is different, which is why we work closely with our partner schools to design tailored programs aligned to the needs and goals of each student cohort.
Foundation Learning Centre
From our humble beginning as community center, we have grown into a dynamic not-for-profit organisation dedicated to delivering quality education, training and community programs. We are proud to foster deep connections within our community and beyond. Since our inception, our mission has remained steadfast: to cultivate positive and welcoming learning environments that empower individuals to realise their fullest potential.
Inspiring Training Academy
Inspiring Beauty was established in 2014 by two motivated professionals who are passionate about the beauty, health and wellbeing industry.
Our Inspiring educators lead by example at all times and have a natural ability to motivate and develop strong relationships ensuring the best outcomes for our trainees and clients. Our aim at the Inspiring Training Academy is to provide high quality services, ensuring a clear focus on superior industry skills and client centred approaches.
RTO Logic
Wrap around consultancy services to help you run a successful RTO.
With the ever-increasing compliance burden that RTOs face in this competitive market, we understand that compliance is a costly part of running an RTO. Now more than ever, it’s critical that organisations seek external advice from experienced consultants to ensure legacy behaviours don’t lead your organisation down a dangerous path. RTO Logic believes this is an achievable outcome, without having to break the budget.
RTO Radar
Australia's Leading RTO Compliance Platform
Everything Australian RTOs need to maintain SRTO 2025 compliance, manage validation schedules, and excel in training delivery.
Capture, categorise and track compliance risks across your organisation.
Connect leadership oversight, responsibility allocation and decision making records to key compliance areas.
SAVILE
Our owners and staff have over 2 decades of VCE/VET teaching experience and always put schools, students, and teachers at the forefront of our business by listening, responding to and acting on all the requirements and needs of schools. Quality VCAA scored assessment content to assist students to gain the very best results is what we believe in.
SAVILES content, including resources, SACS, practice exams, exam seminars, extension activities and assessments have been developed by leading Sport and Recreation industry experts and enables schools and teachers to focus on what they do best, be in front of the classroom.
Organising Committee
The VETDSS Summit Organising Committee is a collective of experienced educators and industry professionals united by a shared belief in the power of VET Delivered to Secondary Students.
With deep roots in the sector, the committee created this event to bring people together — not as representatives of individual organisations, but as a collaborative community committed to improving outcomes for students.
The Summit is built on the idea that when VET teachers, coordinators and school leaders connect, share and learn from one another, the entire system is stronger. Together, we can elevate teaching practice, strengthen pathways, and expand opportunities for every young person.
Tina Bampton
Tina, General Manager at Foundation Learning Centre, brings over 20 years of experience in training across the not-for-profit and TAFE sectors. She has held management roles within a community RTO delivering VETDSS programs across Victoria and has spent more than 15 years supporting young people to navigate meaningful education and career pathways.
Robyn Bartley
Robyn is a VETDSS specialist, bringing over 14 years of training and management experience, with a strong focus in recent years in the VETDSS sector. As an RTO owner and Compliance Manager, she offers deep expertise in program delivery, compliance, and school partnerships, providing practical insights that support quality training outcomes and sustainable, student-focused VETDSS programs.
Jodie Calwell
Jodie is a proven leader with deep industry connections and extensive experience in event management, training, and workforce development. A board member of Service Skills Victoria, she has held key roles with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the International Fresh Produce Association and now leads initiatives at VEG Education.
Sarah Lynch
Sarah is the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation Learning Centre, leading strategic operations, program innovation, and growth initiatives. With over two decades in education and leadership, she has driven major organisational transformation, strengthened financial and operational systems, and championed lifelong learning through a strong commitment to community, equity, and development.
Joshua Miller
Joshua is CEO of SAVILE Learning, bringing over 20 years’ experience across secondary and adult education. He leads strategy, program development, compliance and school partnerships, focusing on building high-quality learning resources, supporting teachers and students, and driving sustainable growth through strong relationships, innovation and effective leadership.
Caitlin Parsons
Caitlin is a vocational education specialist with a deep understanding of VETDSS, training package development, and compliance requirements. As Head of VET Partnerships at ReadCloud, she provides strategic leadership across multiple RTOs, driving operational excellence, regulatory quality, and strong partnerships that enhance student outcomes in VET Delivered to Secondary Students.
Sarah Pavy
Sarah began her career as a secondary school teacher and completed a Master of Education by research on engaging boys in learning. With nearly 20 years’ experience, she has worked with schools to design curriculum and assessment, enhance engagement, and build teacher capacity. Now Head of Education at ReadCloud, Sarah supports schools nationwide delivering diverse VET programs.
Mark Pullin
Mark is an experienced VET professional with over 25 years in the sector, spanning secondary education, RTO leadership and compliance. He has worked as a VET teacher and trainer, RTO Manager, and within the VCAA VET Unit, with expertise in training package and curriculum design focused on quality, compliance and positive student outcomes. He is currently General Manager at VEG Education.
Natalie Stevens
Natalie brings 14 years of extensive experience in VET delivery and operations, with a strong focus in the VETDSS space in recent years. Natalie is an RTO owner who specialises in student management, school engagement, and training processes, offering practical, solutions-focused insights that support smooth program delivery and positive outcomes for students and schools.