Melbourne has cemented its reputation as one of the world’s leading destinations for healthcare and medical research meetings, combining internationally recognised scientific expertise with world-class conference infrastructure and a collaborative innovation ecosystem. From hosting global gatherings that advance treatments and improve patient outcomes, to attracting future-focused congresses that showcase breakthroughs in medical science, the city continues to be a preferred destination for organisations seeking both academic excellence and meaningful legacy impact. With a strong track record of delivering successful international medical events and an impressive pipeline of conferences across diverse health disciplines, Melbourne is set to welcome thousands of researchers, clinicians, policymakers and industry leaders in the years ahead.
Melbourne: the place to be for major healthcare and medical research events
In the past year, Melbourne has seen two large scale medical conferences which promise to leave a lasting legacy in their respective fields.
The World Congress of Gastroenterology, the premier event for the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), took place in September 2025. Attracting 3000 delegates, the event provided a vital platform for discussion and innovation and brought together experts and professionals from around the world to consider the latest research, treatment options and emerging technologies.
In August 2026, the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Conference welcomed over 2,500 delegates for a four-day event. The conference began with a community day open to people living with diabetes, providing valuable opportunities for those affected with the condition to hear the latest from global experts in the field. Additionally, the inaugural Grand Innovation Challenge held at the conference offered funding grants to new research and innovative technology in the diabetes sector.
2025 World Congress of Gastroenterology in Melbourne
A strong pipeline of medical events
The coming years will see several large-scale healthcare and medical research events come to Melbourne.
2027 Congress of the Asia Oceania Human Proteome Organisation
In 2027, Melbourne will welcome the Congress of the Asia Oceania Human Proteome Organisation (AOHUPO). This global gathering of experts in proteomics is held every two years and provides an important platform for advancing research in proteins and proteomes, a research field that is essential to the growth of precision medicine, pathogen detection and pharmaceutical development.
The AOHUPO Congress brings together proteomics and mass spectrometry researchers, biochemists and other life sciences experts from across the Asia-Oceania region for discussions, knowledge exchange and fostering both new and existing collaborations.
“AO-HUPO 2027 will bring together researchers from across Asia and Oceania to share advances, build new collaborations, and apply these technologies to regional challenges in human disease and precision medicine,” says Australasian Proteomics Society President Professor Anthony W. Purcell.
International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) will hold their annual General Session in Melbourne in 2027, attracting thousands of dental researchers and specialists. It is the first time that the event, the most important dental research meeting in the world, will be hosted in the city.
This will be the 105th IADR General Session, bringing together global leaders in dental, oral, and craniofacial research to promote innovation and to encourage the development of improved methods for prevention and treatment of oral and dental diseases.
2026 Diabetes Conference
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) will celebrate their 100th anniversary in Melbourne in 2027, combining the centenary celebrations with their Annual Scientific Congress. This prestigious gathering is the largest multi‐disciplinary surgical meeting held in the Australasia region, bringing together leading experts, practitioners and innovators in health services.
The centenary celebrations will invite international representatives from surgical colleges and associations from across the world, as well as affiliated international specialist societies from across Australasia.
Melbourne represents the ideal location for this special anniversary; the RACS headquarters were established on Spring Street, Melbourne in 1927.
“As one of the highlights of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Centenary celebrations, we are thrilled to be holding the RACS Annual Scientific Conference in the beautiful city of Melbourne,” says Royal Australasian College of Surgeons President Professor Owen Ung. “This thriving metropolis and international city has been home to our RACS headquarters for a hundred years and this flagship meeting attracts our surgical colleagues from around the world, bringing benefits for Melbourne, Victoria, and Australia more broadly.”
Vision 2027
Vision 2027, the 16th International Conference of the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR), reiterates Melbourne’s worldwide credentials as a leader in healthcare and medical research in vision impairment and sight-threatening conditions.
Vision 2027 will attract over 750 specialists in eye disease, vision correction and rehabilitation, pharmaceutical interventions, and assistive technology, as well as educators and policymakers.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming the best and brightest minds working on low vision rehabilitation and research to Melbourne in 2027,” says Vision 2027 President and Centre for Eye Research Australia Deputy Director Professor Lauren Ayton. “They will work alongside people living with low vision and blindness to think about innovations and improvements in the vision sector”.
The Melbourne skyline
2028 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) 30th Annual Congress
The Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) will host their 30th Annual Congress in Melbourne in 2028, the foremost regional meeting for the specialty. This prestigious event brings together rheumatology professionals from 32 associations in the Asia Pacific for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Since its foundation in Australia in 1963, APLAR has grown to become the leading advocate for rheumatology in the Asia Pacific region, with a membership of over 25,000 professionals over 30 countries. The annual Congress brings together world-class research and thought leadership from rheumatologists, physicians, nurses, researchers, and allied health professionals to facilitate discussion on all aspects of musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases.
“As a founding member of APLAR, the Australian Rheumatology Association is delighted to host the 2028 APLAR Congress in Melbourne,” says Australian Rheumatology Association President Sam Whittle. “This important event will bring together experts from across the Asia-Pacific to share knowledge, highlight Australian research, and build collaborations that will shape the future of rheumatology care and research.”
2029 World Conference on Lung Cancer
Melbourne is set to host the prestigious World Conference on Lung Cancer, presented by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) – the only global multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to the study and eradication of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. As the world’s largest international gathering in this field, the conference will unite leading experts, advocates and healthcare professionals from across the globe.
More than 6,500 delegates from over 100 countries will converge at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to share groundbreaking research, explore innovative therapies, drive transformative progress in the fight against lung cancer, and improve patient care.
“A defining strength of the IASLC is our global commitment, reflected in hosting the World Conference on Lung Cancer in diverse regions around the world,” says International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Chief Executive Officer Dr. Karen Kelly. “The site-selection process for WCLC is rigorous, ensuring each host city can support a world-class scientific program, foster meaningful multidisciplinary collaboration, and create opportunities for our international community to connect. Melbourne not only meets these criteria but exceeds them. We look forward to working closely with the Melbourne community to deliver an exceptional four-day conference experience.”
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