2-3 March 2027 | ICC Sydney
MedTech Conference Program 2027
The MedTech Conference is shaping up to be the most dynamic program on the MedTech calendar, covering key areas in reimbursement, regulatory, industry growth, clinical trials, and much more.
The program is subject to changes.
Registration Open
Join the premier event for MedTech Professionals
8:30am
Registration opens | Coffee cart available
9:00am - 9:35am
Plenary
Welcome to Country and Introduction
9:35am - 9:55am
Plenary
Opening Keynote
09:55am - 10:50am
Plenary
Australia’s private healthcare system is at a critical juncture. Mounting cost pressures, evolving models of care, and increasing scrutiny from government are facing fundamental questions about sustainability, access and value to rise. In this timely panel discussion, leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem – including hospitals, patients, insurers, and clinicians – come together to explore what meaningful reform should look like. What changes are needed to ensure the system remains viable while continuing to deliver high-quality care for privately insured patients? And how can private healthcare play a stronger role in relieving pressure on the public system? This session will bring together diverse perspectives, challenge conventional thinking, and examine trade-offs, opportunities and practical pathways to a more sustainable and effective private healthcare system.
10:55am - 11:20am
Morning tea in the Showcase Arena
12:05pm - 12:20pm
Plenary
12:20pm - 1:05pm
Plenary
The Prescribed List continues to evolve as the Australian Government considers how best to support access to medical technologies while ensuring sustainability across the private healthcare system. In this session, representatives from the Department of Health will share their perspective on the future direction of the Prescribed List, including key areas of focus, emerging policy considerations and potential reform pathways. Against this backdrop of broader health system change, the discussion will provide valuable insight into how government thinking is developing – and what this may mean for industry, clinicians and patients. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the direction of travel and the implications for future access, funding and innovation in the Australian market.
1:10pm - 1:55pm
Lunch in the Showcase Arena
The Prescribed List (PL) reforms announced in the Federal Budget of FY22 have now officially come to an end and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and MTAA also expires on 30 June 2026. The PL remains an important instrument for privately insured patient access to medical devices but it comes under political pressure and is subject to ongoing changes that affect industry and other stakeholders. Join us for an open discussion with two of the key Department leaders ultimately responsible for the management of the PL about the place of the PL today in the current health policy environment, potential future directions and options to solve existing problems. Within the framework of existing government policy, the Department will give us an inside look into their perspective on the PL and address some of the knotty questions raised by industry. This is a unique opportunity for open dialogue with the Department outside of any immediate major reform process.
Mr Avi Rebera is currently the Assistant Secretary for the Medical Services and Devices Assessment Branch, which is part of the Technology Assessment and Access Division within the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Mr Rebera has been with the Department since 2013 and has led various branches across corporate and regulatory functions, including within the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Prior to his current role Avi was the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Drug Control and Gene Technology Policy and Governance (GTPG). Before joining the public service Avi spent over 20 years in the private sector.
Paul has been Director of Policy for the Medical Technology Association of Australia since 2019. His responsibilities include leadership on reimbursement issues and digital health. He has over 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries in Australia and the United States with roles including policy, government relations, public affairs, pricing, reimbursement, commercialisation and consulting.
Doug Symonds is the Senior Manager – Private Reimbursement at Medtronic. As a leader in the Healthcare Economics, Policy & Reimbursement team at Medtronic, Doug is focused on partnering collaboratively with healthcare stakeholders to demonstrate the value of medical technology and its contribution to improving outcomes. He currently serves as Chair of the MTAA Reimbursement Committee and Reimbursement Forum and was honoured with the MTAA Outstanding Achievement Award in 2022. Doug has over 20 years of experience in the Australian healthcare system across public health, private health insurance and the medical device industry; and prior to joining Medtronic, held analytical and business roles within the private health insurance industry and began his career in public health surveillance with NSW Area Health.
Presented in collaboration with MedTech Compass and IDE Group
The BBFH Challenge Final will be held as part of this year’s MTAA Conference, providing a platform for leading innovators to present their solutions to industry challenges. Delivered in collaboration with MedTech Compass and IDE Group, the Building Better Futures for Health 2025 Challenge offers a hands-on opportunity for Australia’s emerging innovators to navigate the journey from concept to commercialisation.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support these early stage MedTech entrepreneurs, where finalists pitch their innovations to a panel of judges and the winner takes home up to $40,000 in IDE’s support to bring their MedTech product idea to reality. Winners will also receive a one-year membership to MTAA’s MedTech Compass Initiative.
3.10pm-3.30pm
Afternoon tea in the Expo
3.30pm-4.20pm
Plenary
Dr Mark Phillips, Chief Clinical Officer at Annalise.ai, leads the integration of clinical expertise into the development and implementation of AI-driven diagnostic tools to improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical imaging interpretations. With over 20 years of experience in medical research, innovation, and the commercialisation of new technology into clinical practice, Mark has made significant contributions to the medtech field. With global experience across Teva Pharmaceuticals, ResMed, Cochlear and Medtronic, Mark’s deep clinical leadership and research experience position him at the forefront of AI integration into clinical practice, driving the evolution of medical diagnostics.
Carla, a former mechanical engineer with international product development experience, founded Sento Solutions, a team of specialised Usability and Human Factors Engineers dedicated to helping start-ups in MedTech and Digital health. As the only company in Australia exclusively offering these services, Sento has become an industry leader, contributing to over 40 successful medical device and SaMD developments. As Managing Director, Carla oversees client relationships, industry partnerships, accelerator collaborations, and mentoring programs. Her and her uniquely skilled team excel in user research, usability study facilitation, and deep regulatory knowledge to accelerate a product’s path to market and help start-ups meet rigorous regulatory requirements. Carla also sits on Swinburne’s Centre for Design & Innovation advisory committee and enjoys mentoring STEM women, teaching spin classes, and leveraging her qualifications as a French Pastry Chef.
Petra is a recognised leader in deep-tech innovation and commercialisation, currently serving as CEO of Quantum Australia. With over 25 years of international experience across advanced technology sectors including life sciences, she is spearheading the development of a nationally coordinated quantum ecosystem—positioning Australia as a global player in quantum innovation. Her focus is on translating complex quantum research into real-world applications—particularly in areas with strong medtech potential such as diagnostics, imaging, secure health data, and advanced drug discovery. She works across academia, startups, investors, industry, and government to unlock the transformative potential of breakthrough science for healthcare and beyond. Petra’s cross-sector background spans startups, global corporations, venture capital, and public policy. As former CEO of Cicada Innovations, she helped build one of the world’s leading deep-tech incubators, supporting hundreds of science-based ventures across health and life sciences. She launched Australia’s first startup PhD internship program and national accelerator initiatives backing over 30 IP-rich companies. She has curated Australia’s first Biohackathon, built the country’s largest early-stage deep-tech VC portfolio, and supported global clinical research organisations expanding into new markets. Passionate about innovation at the intersection of science and medicine, Petra is committed to enabling the next generation of medtech and quantum leaders.
Presented in collaboration with MedTech Compass and IDE Group
The BBFH Challenge Final will be held as part of this year’s MTAA Conference, providing a platform for leading innovators to present their solutions to industry challenges. Delivered in collaboration with MedTech Compass and IDE Group, the Building Better Futures for Health 2025 Challenge offers a hands-on opportunity for Australia’s emerging innovators to navigate the journey from concept to commercialisation.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support these early stage MedTech entrepreneurs, where finalists pitch their innovations to a panel of judges and the winner takes home up to $40,000 in IDE’s support to bring their MedTech product idea to reality. Winners will also receive a one-year membership to MTAA’s MedTech Compass Initiative.
1:55pm - 2:40pm
Plenary
Australia’s health technology assessment (HTA) landscape is evolving rapidly, shaped by policy reform, shifting evidence expectations and the growing complexity of healthcare innovation. In this forward-looking session, a series of expert speakers will offer short, focused insights into the key trends influencing HTA in Australia – from the role of real-world evidence and changing definitions of value, to emerging approaches to evaluation and decision-making. Together, these perspectives will build a picture of where HTA is heading, and what this means for industry, policymakers and patients. The session will conclude with interactive Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to test ideas, explore implications and engage directly with leading voices in this critical area of healthcare policy.
2:40pm - 3:25pm
Plenary
3:30pm - 3:55pm
Afternoon tea in the Showcase Arena
3:55pm - 4:25pm
Plenary
4:25pm - 4:45pm
Plenary
4:45pm - 4:55pm
Plenary
4:55ppm - 5:20pm
Plenary
5:20pm - 5:30pm
Plenary
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Welcome Reception
5:30pm-7:30pm
5:30pm-7:00pm
7.20pm-7.25pm
Entertainment - Acoustic Duo featuring Justine Eltakchi
MTAA MedTech Industry Award Finalists Announcement
Building Better Futures for Health 2025 Challenge Winner Announcement
7:30pm - 11:00pm
This prestigious event celebrates the outstanding achievements and innovations within Australia’s dynamic medical technology industry.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, recognise excellence across various categories, and enjoy an inspiring evening that highlights the contributions shaping the future of MedTech.
Award-winning comedian, TV favourite and social media sensation, Mel Buttle is one of Australia’s most loved performers. From The Great Australian Bake Off to Taskmaster Australia and her viral “Mum” character, Mel brings wit, warmth and laughter to every stage.
8:30am
Registration opens | Coffee cart available
11.45am-11.55pm
Plenary
Rebecca is a highly experienced professional with expertise in human resources, industrial relations, training and facilitation, leadership development, and coaching. In 2009, she founded her own successful human resources and training consultancy, providing practical, effective people solutions tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Over the years, she has partnered with a diverse range of clients across sectors including not-for-profit, public and private health, education, medical devices, building and construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and aged and community care. Rebecca’s work spans all aspects of human resources — from compliance, legislative and regulatory support to the development and implementation of strategies that help organisations grow and foster collaborative, high-performing cultures.
9:15am - 9:45am
Plenary
A system-CEO perspective on how health services can move from being sites of care to becoming platforms for data, innovation and collaboration drawing on St Vincent’s experience with innovation infrastructure, and positioning hospitals as the critical system integrators required to scale digital health in Australia.
9:50am - 10:35am
Plenary
Digital therapeutics (DTx) and remote patient monitoring (RPM) continue to demonstrate clinical and system value, yet sustainable reimbursement remains a major challenge. This session provides a clear update on MTAA’s advocacy priorities, what proposals are currently before government, and where policy thinking is heading. It will explore emerging reimbursement pathways across Commonwealth and state systems, what evidence government decision‑makers are looking for, and how companies can best position themselves for future funding decisions. Practical translation of policy signals into commercial reality – what has tangibly shifted in the past 12–18 months, where government interest is strongest, where barriers remain, and the practical actions companies should take now (Commonwealth, state and hospital funding perspectives, plus a member DTx/RPM case study).
9:50am - 10:35am
Concurrent
Explore how sustainability is increasingly being incorporated into healthcare procurement across Australia. The session would consider the journey from broad emissions-reduction commitments to practical tender criteria, supplier engagement and implementation. It could compare national policy development with the experience of a major health procurement agency and the MedTech sector.
10:40am - 11:05am
Morning tea in the Showcase Arena
11:05am - 11:35am
Plenary
Recent cyber-attacks and data breaches affecting MedTech companies have highlighted the sector’s exposure to cyber risk. Drawing on anonymised member experiences, this session will explore common attack vectors, incident response challenges, regulatory and customer expectations, and practical steps companies can take to improve preparedness and resilience.
11:05am - 11:35am
Concurrent
Global movement and Australia’s direction. Explore how right-to-repair principles could apply to medical devices while maintaining patient safety, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and manufacturer accountability. The session would examine where repair, refurbishment and serviceability can support circular-economy objectives, and where medical-device-specific safeguards remain essential. It could also clarify the distinction between routine servicing, third-party repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing.
11:40am - 12:10pm
Plenary
Session with the Australian Digital Health Agency will examine the government’s direction on data sharing, interoperability and standards. It will unpack what “sharing by default” means in practice, what new technical and policy expectations are emerging, and how companies can prepare their products, governance and architectures.
11:40am - 12:10pm
Concurrent
Examine the evolving regulatory landscape for industrial chemicals used in, or associated with, medical devices. The session could consider how environmental objectives intersect with patient safety, product performance, supply-chain continuity and medical-device regulation. It would provide a high-level overview of emerging issues such as chemicals restrictions, substitutions and the need for coordination between environmental and health regulators.
12:15pm - 12:45pm
Plenary
Procurement remains one of the biggest barriers to scaling digital health solutions in Australia. This session will examine procurement policies and why purchasing frameworks need reform. It will also explore why some procurement approaches fail to meet their stated objectives and may inadvertently increase cost and risk without improving safety or quality.
12:15pm - 12:45pm
Concurrent
Examine how battery stewardship and emerging regulatory expectations may affect medical-device suppliers. The session would focus on the practical implications of product stewardship for devices containing batteries, including lifecycle responsibility, safety, reporting, collection pathways and end-of-life management. It would also provide an opportunity to discuss how regulation can account for the distinct characteristics of medical devices.
12:55pm - 1:40pm
Lunch in the Showcase Arena
1:40pm - 2:25pm
Plenary
AI‑enabled software is rapidly entering healthcare, often blurring the line between decision support tools and regulated medical devices. This session will unpack what companies need to know about the TGA’s SaMD education, surveillance and enforcement priorities, particularly as they relate to AI. It will provide clarity on intended use, clinical influence, adaptive algorithms, and post‑market obligations, helping companies understand where the regulatory line sits.
1:40pm - 2:25pm
Concurrent
Bring hospitals, suppliers and the Anti-Slavery Commissioner together to discuss how modern-slavery obligations can be translated into practical procurement processes.
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Plenary
This panel session brings together digital health founders and scale‑ups to share candid commercialisation experiences. The discussion will focus on what has worked, what hasn’t, and common traps relating to regulatory sequencing, evidence generation, reimbursement assumptions, procurement readiness and capital strategy.
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Concurrent
How can MedTech companies effectively engage with Australia’s largest state health procurement agencies? This session brings together representatives from HealthShare NSW and HealthShare Victoria to share practical insights into tender processes, supplier panel pathways, and commercial frameworks. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to navigate public health procurement, position products for market access, and identify opportunities for emerging companies and SMEs to access state health systems.
3:20pm - 3:45pm
Afternoon tea in the Showcase Arena
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Plenary
Presented in collaboration with IDE Group, under MedTech Compass.
The BBFH Challenge Final provides a platform for leading innovators to present their solutions to industry challenges. BBFH offers a hands-on opportunity for Australia’s emerging innovators to navigate the journey from concept to commercialisation.
The winner, selected by the esteemed BBFH judges, receives $30,000 in services from IDE Group. An additional $10,000 in IDE services is awarded to the recipient of the People’s Choice Award. Winning teams also receive membership to MTAA MedTech Compass, a strategic initiative of MTAA to fast-track commercial success for high-potential ventures. Tailored for early-stage medical device and digital health companies, MedTech Compass offers expert support in regulation, reimbursement, investment, and market access.
4:45pm - 5:25pm
Plenary
5:30pm - 5:40pm
Plenary
5:45pm - 6:45pm
Closing Reception and Special Announcements
5.05pm-6.30pm
Closing reception
PhD Student Poster People’s Choice Award Winner Announcement
Exhibitor Giveaway Winner Announcement