AHES 47th Annual Conference

AHES is excited to be hosting Professor Michael Pervan and Associate Professor Lesong Conteh as our keynote speakers for this year's conference.

CEO, Australian Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority

Professor Michael Pervan C.F. was appointed as CEO of the Australian Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) on 1 February 2023. Prior to this, Michael has been Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Communities Tasmania where for nearly a decade he was responsible for the delivery and reform of health, housing and care services. Michael is a Churchill Fellow and in addition to his roles in Tasmania has held senior health roles in Western Australia and at the national level including as Chair of the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council. In addition to his IHACPA role, Michael is currently the Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Leadership Institute Board and leads the Australian chapter of the Institute.

Associate Research Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science

Associate Professr Lesong Conteh is a health economist working on infectious disease and diagnostics markets across Africa. Over 25 years, her research has helped inform global policy, including the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria and the economic case for investing in two malaria interventions later endorsed by WHO.

She is Associate Research Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Visiting Professor at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Her work spans economic evaluation, health financing, infectious diseases, and diagnostics markets, asking a consistent set of questions: how do we deliver interventions in a sustainable and equitable way, and where do the costs and benefits actually fall?

She leads a Wellcome Trust-funded programme on the economics of diagnostic markets across Africa and co-chairs the Independent Scientific Advisory Group for the NIHR Global Health Research Programme, a principal funder of global health research for the UK government. She has worked closely with leading scholars and policymakers across Africa and beyond to translate evidence into real-world change.

In this keynote, she argues that robust economic and health systems evidence is the bridge between local realities, national policy change, and global guidance, and will explore what it actually takes to generate evidence that makes an impact.

The conference program and abstracts can be downloaded here:

• AHES Conference Program 2026
• AHES Conference 2026 Abstract Booklet

Date and time: 22nd September 2026, 7pm-10pm
Venue: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Price: $100

This year we will be awarding our biennial prizes/awards and continue our conference prizes which were piloted in 2025.

Conference Prizes

• Best poster (1 prize valued at $500)
• Best Rapid fire oral prize (2 prizes valued at $500)
• People's choice oral presentation (1 prize valued at $500)

We are pleased to invite you to the AHES Mentoring Networking Event at this year’s AHES Conference.

Date: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 (Day 2 of the conference)
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Location: A Mezzanine Level, Hotel Grand Chancellor Convention and Exhibition Centre

This informal session is open to all conference attendees and provides a great opportunity to connect with peers, mentors, and colleagues before the day’s sessions begin. The session aims to encourage meaningful conversations and professional connections within the AHES community. Attendees will be encouraged to actively participate by introducing themselves to new people, moving between conversations, and engaging in a series of short, informal networking discussions.

In and Around Hobart

• MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) – Hobart’s iconic cultural destination, with ferry access and adjoining vineyard
• Salamanca Place & Market – Historic warehouses, galleries, cafés and the famous Saturday market
• Battery Point – Charming heritage streets and harbour views
• Hobart Waterfront – Fresh seafood, waterfront dining and scenic strolls
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens – One of Australia’s oldest botanic gardens

Nature Walks & Scenic Trails

• kunanyi / Mount Wellington – Panoramic city views with walking trails for all abilities
• Organ Pipes & Zig Zag Tracks – Classic forest and alpine walks
• Hobart Rivulet Track – Easy riverside walk linking the CBD to Cascade Gardens
• Knocklofty Reserve – Bushland tracks with city and river vistas
• Mount Field National Park – Iconic Russell Falls and towering eucalypt forests

Wine Regions Close to Hobart

Tasmania is renowned for cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and sparkling wines.

Coal River Valley (20–30 mins)
Frogmore Creek · Pooley Wines · Puddleduck Vineyard · Derwent Estate · Moorilla Estate
More vineyards in Coal River Valley

Huon Valley (30–45 mins)
Home Hill Winery · Kate Hill Wines · Elsewhere Vineyard · St Imre. Mewstone Wines}
More vineyards in Huon Valley

Derwent Valley (20-30 mins)

Derwent Estate. Moorilla. Stefano Lubiana. Glaetzer-Dixon
More vineyards in the Derwent Valley

Distilleries, Whisky & Craft Spirits

Tasmania is internationally recognised for premium spirits:

• Lark Distillery – Single malt whisky
• Sullivans Cove Distillery – Award-winning Tasmanian whisky
• Nant Distillery – Historic estate whisky
• Forty Spotted Gin – Botanical gin cellar door
• Old Kempton Distillery – Whisky and gin in a heritage setting

Local Food & Beer

• Cascade Brewery – Australia’s oldest operating brewery, nestled beneath Mount Wellington
• Farm-to-table dining – Celebrate Tasmania’s seafood and seasonal produce
• Waterfront Seafood – Enjoy fresh Tasmanian oysters, salmon, abalone and fish at Hobart’s harbour-side restaurants
• Van Diemen’s Ice Creamery – Award-winning ice cream made with Tasmanian milk and local ingredients, with a popular waterfront shop

Easy Day Trips from Hobart

• Richmond – Historic village and Australia’s oldest bridge
• Bruny Island – Gourmet produce, wildlife and coastal scenery
• Port Arthur & Tasman Peninsula – World-heritage convict site and dramatic coastline
• Mount Field National Park – Waterfalls and rainforest walks
• Tahune AirWalk – Elevated canopy walk and forest scenery in the Huon Valley
• Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs – Guided cave tours and warm-water pools surrounded by forest

Whether you have a spare hour or a free day, Hobart and its surrounds offer exceptional experiences to complement your conference visit.