Kick off the year with energy, thought leadership and your early careers community.
Start 2026 surrounded by the people who get it – your peers, partners and the wider AAGE community. Our first in-person event of the year is designed to bring the sector together for industry engagement and meaningful conversations that share forward-thinking ideas.
We’ll open with speed networking to help you quickly build new connections and reconnect with familiar faces. Then, dive into interactive roundtables over lunch, bringing together employers, universities, industry associations and supplier partners to tackle the big topics on everyone’s radar including induction and development for the 2026 cohort, student attraction and engagement strategies, the evolving role of AI, balancing application volumes with team capacity and ensuring the candidate experience stays strong even under pressure – all while building inclusive, future-ready programs.
Attending an AAGE event enables you to connect with another employer who is building or managing a program just like yours or meet a supplier or university representative who can support your next campaign. Whatever stage your program is at and whatever questions stakeholders are throwing at you, this community is your source of insights and connection during the ups and downs of early careers so make sure you join the session in your capital city or online for our regional members.
Please suggest additional items you are interested in discussing when you register for the event.
Complimentary entry for AAGE members.
Non-members and member colleagues may attend for $50 + GST.
Members must be logged in to access complimentary registration.
In order for us to cater appropriately, please let us know if you need to cancel your attendance. Also, catering cannot be guaranteed if registration is made four days or less prior to the event.
In order to cancel an invoice raised OR receive a refund for event attendance, the AAGE requires a MINIMUM of 24 hours' notice to receive notice of your intention to cancel. All cancellation requests need to be received in writing via events@aage.com.au.
Please contact events@aage.com.au.
Join us for our Industry Partner Showcase Webinar - Preparing for Success in 2026 where you will hear thought leadership, market intelligence and actionable insights from Amberjack Global, Be Challenged and SHL to help you plan and deliver your early careers programs this year.
9.00am - 10.00am WA time
We are pleased to offer organisations the opportunity to exhibit at The Big Meet 2026.
The Big Meet is a one day careers fair which is promoted to all students from all universities in the host city.
The Big Meet provides the perfect solution for exhibitors wishing to maximise their exposure to potential candidates whilst minimising their costs. If you have limited time, resources or budget, The Big Meet is the ideal way to reach the right students from a range of universities in one day.
Big Meet ‘Quiet Hour’ - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide
We will be running the Quiet Hour again in 2026 in 4 locations, catering to students who find the busy atmosphere challenging. The Big Meet will run from 11.00am to 3.00/3.30pm with the Quiet Hour opening the event at 11.00am. The break down of event timings are listed below:
Melbourne & Sydney
Brisbane & Adelaide
Exhibitors will set up as usual and the AAGE will liaise with the Convention Centre and our event partners to make some adjustments to the space and our communication with students to facilitate the Quiet Hour.
Following this hour The Big Meet will open to all other students who have registered to attend. Further information will be provided to employers in the coming months about the Quiet Hour however please let us know if you have any questions prior to booking your space.
Click the city name below to be taken to the booking form or to book all five cities at the bulk discount rate.
Terms and Conditions
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. By submitting your registration, you are agreeing to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions:
1. You agree that the organisation you represent (as detailed by you in this booking form) will pay the full amount due from this booking.
2. You cannot exhibit at any of The Big Meet events until full payment has been received.
3. You will receive an automated invoice which is payable by the EARLIER of:
a. 30 days from the date of the invoice; or b. the day before the date of the first Big Meet 2026 that your organisation has booked.
If the invoice is not paid within this timeframe, the AAGE reserves the right to cancel the booking or to remove the eligibility for any discounted prices.
4. Only the exhibitor that is named in this registration can exhibit at The Big Meet. Exhibitors cannot: 'sell on' or share or sublet their booking to other organisations.
5. The AAGE abides by the ACCC Australian Consumer Law refund policy. No refunds will be given for cancellations. This applies to all registrations received and is enforced irrespective of if an invoice has been raised or not, or if an invoice remains paid or unpaid.
6. All venues will require exhibitors to fill in a food waiver or food sampling form for any food items to be offered to students, including lollies and small chocolates. Should you wish to give away more substantial food items (e.g. muffins, doughnuts) to students during The Big Meet you will need to complete the appropriate forms and there may be additional venue charges. Further details and forms will be made available via the Logistics Documents later in the year - please note, it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to ensure all appropriate forms have been submitted and approved prior to the event.
7. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to secure appropriate Public Liability Insurance for their organisation in order to participate in The Big Meet.
8. Your registration may be refused at the sole and absolute discretion of the AAGE.
9. All AAGE event attendees must abide by the AAGE's Code of Conduct.
MELBOURNE Big Meet ‘Quiet Hour’
We will be running the Quiet Hour again in 2026, catering to students who find the busy atmosphere challenging. The Big Meet will run from 11.00am to 3.30pm with the Quiet Hour opening the event at 11.00am. The break down of event timings are listed below:
11.00am - 12.00 noon - Quiet Hour
12.00 noon - 3.30pm - Big Meet (General Admission)
To view previous years exhibitors, please visit: www.thebigmeet.com.au
BRISBANE Big Meet ‘Quiet Hour’
We will be running the Quiet Hour again in 2026, catering to students who find the busy atmosphere challenging. The Big Meet will run from 11.00am to 3.00pm with the Quiet Hour opening the event at 11.00am. The break down of event timings are listed below:
12.00 noon - 3.00pm - Big Meet (General Admission)
SYDNEY Big Meet ‘Quiet Hour’
ADELAIDE Big Meet ‘Quiet Hour’
We will be running the Quiet Hour again in 2026, catering to students who find the busy atmosphere challenging. The Big Meet will run from 11.00am to 2.30pm with the Quiet Hour opening the event at 11.00am. The break down of event timings are listed below:
12.00 noon - 2.30pm - Big Meet (General Admission)
*Bookings close Monday 2nd November 2026*
*Please note: If you are looking to purchase multiple tickets (e.g. a day pass and a social event ticket), please register for one of your preferences, select 'pay by invoice' and email info@aage.com.au prior to payment to have your additional tickets added to your booking.*
We’re excited to invite early careers professionals to the 38th Annual AAGE Graduate Recruitment and Development Conference!
In 2026, we’re evolving our format to bring you the same high-quality content, thought leadership and community connection – now in a streamlined two-day program. By starting earlier on Day 1, the schedule ensures you experience all of the hallmark elements of the AAGE Conference, from inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, the dynamic industry expo, and opportunities to exchange ideas and best practices with your peers. The Social Evening and the AAGE Gala Dinner, featuring the 2026 AAGE Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards (AGRIAs), will remain integral highlights within the two-day program.
In addition, we will be sharing details in early 2026 regarding optional extras for a third day on Friday 13th November, enabling those interested to further enhance their industry engagement and professional development.
The AAGE Conference remains the must-attend event for anyone shaping the future of early careers. Join us to connect with like-minded professionals, learn from leading voices and walk away with insights that will influence your programs and the talent you support.
*SPECIAL OFFER* – Purchase four Full Conference Passes and get a fifth Full Conference Pass FREE!
Contact us at info@aage.com.au to access this special offer and see below for T&Cs. Don't miss this opportunity to bring more of your team to the 2026 AAGE Conference!
Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. By submitting your registration, you are agreeing to be bound by the following terms and conditions:
1. You will receive an automated invoice which is payable by the EARLIER of:
2. The AAGE abides by the ACCC Australian Consumer Law refund policy. No refunds, rollovers or credits will be given for cancellations under any circumstances. This applies to all registrations received and is enforced irrespective of if an invoice has been raised or not, or if an invoice remains paid or unpaid.
3. All AAGE event attendees must abide by the AAGE's Code of Conduct.
Free Full Conference Pass Offer
1. Eligibility
2. Free Pass Conditions
3. Usage Restrictions
4. Cancellation Policy
5. General Terms
Contact Us
Email: info@aage.com.au Phone: +61 3 9352 5062Address:PO Box 1217 Camberwell VIC 3124 Australia
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