After more than 14 years of involvement with ABA Australia, Dr. Alayna Haberlin will be stepping down from the Executive Board, with her employment as Chief Executive Officer also concluding by mutual agreement.
Alayna has been part of ABA Australia from the very beginning. In 2012, she helped bring together the group that would go on to establish the Association and participated in its first meeting. Over the years, she has served ABA Australia in a number of roles, including President-Elect, President, Executive Board Director and, most recently, Chief Executive Officer.
One of Alayna's major contributions has been the development of professional self-regulation for behaviour analysts in Australia. She led much of the work required to establish ABA Australia's professional self-regulation system, including the development of professional standards, membership requirements, policies, and procedures. She also led the development of the Australian Scope of Practice for Behaviour Analysts and has been closely involved in ABA Australia's work to strengthen recognition of the profession in Australia.
Many members will also know Alayna through the Annual Conference. She became involved in organising the conference in 2017 and has since helped plan and deliver 10 conferences. Over that time, she has been involved in almost every aspect of bringing the conference together each year, from programming and sponsorship to grants, policies, and the many practical details that happen behind the scenes.
Alayna has also contributed extensively to ABA Australia's work in education, supervision, university engagement, internships, professional recognition, and advocacy. This has included sustained engagement with the NDIS and work towards formal occupational recognition of behaviour analysts through ANZSCO (now OSCA in Australia).
It is difficult to capture more than 14 years of involvement with an association in a few paragraphs. Alayna has given an enormous amount of her time, professional knowledge, and energy to ABA Australia and to the development of behaviour analysis in Australia.
The Executive Board sincerely thanks Alayna for her many years of service and for the significant contribution she has made to ABA Australia and the profession. We wish her all the best for what comes next.
ABA Australia has opened Early Bird registration for the 11th Annual Conference, with tickets now available to both members and non-members.
Early Bird registration provides discounted access to the conference for a limited period and follows the member-only flash sale offered to ABA Australia members in January.
Flexible registration options
Attendees may choose from the following registration options:
3-day Conference Pass – access to the full conference program from Friday - Sunday, includes preconference workshops and full conference.
2-day Conference Pass – access to the conference only on Saturday and Sunday
These options are intended to improve accessibility and accommodate a range of professional and travel needs.
The 11th Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel, bringing together practitioners, researchers, students, and allied professionals from across Australia.
ABA Australia is pleased to announce Stephanie Peterson and Shane Spiker as keynote speakers for the 11th Annual Conference.
Stephanie Peterson
Keynote presentation: Conceptualizing Self-determination from a Behavior Analytic Perspective
Dr Peterson will explore what self-determination means from a behaviour analytic standpoint, including how concepts such as concurrent operants, self-control, and self-management relate to choice making in everyday life. Her presentation will highlight strategies for empowering clients across service settings by teaching skills that enable meaningful choice and autonomy.
Shane Spiker
Keynote presentation: A Locus of Change: The Impact of Intentional Supervision Practices in Behavior Analysis
Dr Spiker will discuss the central role supervision plays across behaviour analytic work, arguing that it shapes ethical development, practitioner wellbeing, and the quality of services delivered. His address will examine types of supervision, the effect of supervisory behaviours on trainees, and systemic variables that influence the field more broadly.
The ABA Australia Annual Conference brings together behaviour analysts, researchers, students, and allied professionals from across Australia to engage with contemporary issues in behaviour analysis and professional practice.
The 11th Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel, with further program and speaker details to be released in the lead-up to the event.
More information about the keynote speakers is available on the conference website:https://www.abaaconference.com.au/
ABA Australia has opened member-only flash sale registrations for the 11th Annual Conference, offering a 25% discount on conference tickets for a limited time.
Flash sale tickets are available exclusively to ABA Australia members and will be open throughout January only. This discounted rate provides members with early access to the conference while supporting planning and program development.
New registration options for 2025
For the first time, ABA Australia is offering flexible registration options, including:
3-day Conference Pass – access to the full conference program and attending from Friday to Sunday.
2-day Conference Pass – for those who want to attend on Saturday and Sunday only.
These options are designed to improve accessibility and flexibility for practitioners, students, and attendees travelling to Hobart.
The 11th Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel, bringing together behaviour analysts, researchers, and students from across Australia.
Further information about registration categories and inclusions is available on the conference website.
ABA Australia is pleased to announce its 11th Annual Conference, to be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel. This is the first year that we will be in Hobart and are excited to explore the city. Hobart is known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to Tasmania’s natural landscapes. As a smaller capital city, Hobart offers a more relaxed and accessible conference experience, supporting meaningful connection and conversation between delegates.
The Wrest Point Hotel provides a central waterfront location with on-site conference facilities and accommodation, making it easy for attendees to participate fully in the conference program while enjoying the surrounding city.
The annual conference brings together behaviour analysts, researchers, students, and allied professionals from across Australia to share knowledge, connect with colleagues, and engage with contemporary issues in behaviour analysis.
Registrations will open shortly, with further details to be released regarding keynote and invited speakers. The conference program will include a mix of keynote presentations, invited talks, and contributed workshops and papers.
We are currently be inviting submissions for:
Workshops
Panels
Symposium
Research and Paper presentations
Clinical Case Studies
Posters
Members and practitioners are encouraged to contribute to the program and support the exchange of applied, research, and practice-based knowledge within the field.
For more information check out our conference website: https://www.abaaconference.com.au/
ABA Australia concluded its national advocacy campaign seeking formal recognition of behaviour analysts under the NDIS, with strong support from across the community.
A total of 854 individuals and organisations added their names to the Joint Statement calling for clearer recognition of behaviour analysts and safer, more consistent standards for behaviour analysis within the NDIS.
This level of engagement highlighted the importance of professional recognition for behaviour analysts and the value placed on evidence-based practice by participants, families, practitioners, and service providers.
ABA Australia had initially requested a meeting with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 22 October 2025. Shortly before the Joint Statement was finalised, the Commission confirmed a meeting date of 21 November 2025.
While the timing of the meeting cannot be directly attributed to the campaign, the collective response strengthened ABA Australia’s advocacy and demonstrated the breadth of support for professional recognition within the sector.
During this meeting, ABA Australia will raise key issues outlined in the Joint Statement, including:
The need for formal recognition of CBAs and CBAUs under Therapeutic Supports
The risks created by the absence of clear professional recognition
The importance of behaviour analytic services being delivered by appropriately trained and qualified practitioners
ABA Australia is committed to updating signatories and members on discussions, outcomes, and next steps, and to continuing advocacy efforts.
ABA Australia thanks everyone who supported this campaign and contributed to strengthening advocacy for behaviour analysts and the participants who rely on their services.
ABA Australia commenced a national advocacy campaign calling for the formal recognition of Certified Behaviour Analysts (CBAs), Certified Behaviour Analyst – Undergraduates (CBAUs), and the discipline of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) within the NDIS Practice Standards Qualification and Professional Associations Required Documentation Guide.
The Guide released earlier in October 2025 did not explicitly include CBAs, CBAUs, or ABA services. This omission created uncertainty for participants, practitioners, and providers, and posed operational risks for services delivering evidence-based behaviour analytic supports.
As part of this advocacy, ABA Australia prepared a joint statement addressed to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, calling for:
Formal recognition of CBAs and CBAUs under the Therapeutic Supports category
Clear timelines and transparency regarding professional inclusion and review processes
A meeting with the Commission to clarify the professional review process
Representation in advisory and working groups to ensure behaviour analytic services are accurately considered
The campaign invited support from practitioners, families, carers, and organisations across Australia, reflecting the shared interest in maintaining access to high-quality, evidence-based behaviour analytic services within the NDIS.
