On behalf of the Scientific Committee, we are delighted to invite you to join us for the inaugural Australian COPD Symposium, taking place in Melbourne, Victoria on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June 2026.

As passionate COPD clinicians and researchers, we have spent our careers on the frontline of COPD care, working

alongside patients, families, and colleagues across disciplines. We know firsthand the complexity of this condition and the critical need to advance its profile in Australia. This Symposium is our opportunity to bring together the brightest minds and most passionate advocates to challenge the status quo and shape the future of COPD care.

COPD remains one of Australia’s leading causes of morbidity and mortality, yet its impact is often underestimated. With the recent introduction of the National COPD Clinical Care Standard, now is the time to unite our community, spanning consumers, primary care, acute and specialist services, allied health, research, and policy to connect, collaborate, and drive meaningful change.

Our vision for this program is a rich multidisciplinary tapestry that reflects the full continuum of care and the diversity of expertise needed to transform outcomes. Basic, translational, and implementation science will be embedded alongside cutting-edge clinical insights and lived experience perspectives that ground our work in what matters most to patients. We are proud to showcase rising stars and change-makers through abstract presentations from early career researchers - the next generation of COPD leaders who will carry this work forward.

Every element of the program has been thoughtfully co-designed to support continuing professional development,

foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and ensure the voices of those living with COPD remain central to every conversation. This is more than a meeting. It’s a national platform to elevate COPD on the health agenda and inspire action.

We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne and working together to advance COPD care for all Australians.