Pre-Arrival Information

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
1 Convention Centre Place 
South Wharf VIC 3006
T +61 (0) 3 9235 8000
mcec.com.au

Congress will be held at the MCEC and the closest entrance for the registration and information desk is Convention Centre Place. If entering from the Clarendon Street entrance, follow the directional signage to the RANZCP 2026 Congress.

There are taxis and Uber services available from the airport to the central city as well as the coach service, Skybus, which can be booked in advance or on arrival. The airport is approximately 26 kilometres to the MCEC.

The MCEC is easily accessible by the public transport system and also offers onsite carparking via the Normanby Road entrance or at the adjacent Direct Factory Outlet Complex (DFO). Please refer to the website for parking rates and early bird savings.

The registration and information desk is located in Main Foyer 3 on the Ground Floor of the Convention Centre (closest to the Convention Place Entrance) and will be open the following times:

• Sunday 3 May 2026: 08:30-16:30
• Monday 4 May 2026: 07:30-17:30
• Tuesday 5 May 2026: 07:30-17:00
• Wednesday 6 May 2026: 08:00-16:00
• Thursday 7 May 2026: 08:30-13:45

A few days prior to Congress you will receive an email from us with a QR code to facilitate the printing of your name badge once you arrive onsite. For security purposes, please wear your name badge at all times, including at social functions.

Every effort will be made to accommodate dietary requirements and/or special requirements, however advance notice is needed. If you did not provide this information at the time of registering, please email the Congress Office.

The speaker preparation room is located in Meeting Room 215 on the second floor of the Convention Centre will be open the following times:

• Sunday 3 May 2026: 08:30-16:30
• Monday 4 May 2026: 07:30-17:30
• Tuesday 5 May 2026: 07:30-17:00
• Wednesday 6 May 2026: 08:00-16:00
• Thursday 7 May 2026: 08:30-12:15
  

The MCEC Customer Service desk located on the Ground Floor near the Convention Centre Place entry can assist with any cloaking of coats, bags or personal belongings.

A few days prior to Congress you will receive a further email from us detailing how to access the Congress app, which will provide you with the latest information. We encourage you to download the app before arriving to Congress. 

To assist with networking, a copy of the delegate list, excluding privacy requests, will be available on the Congress app.

The dress code for Congress is as follows:

• Pre-Congress workshops: Smart casual
• Welcome reception: Smart casual
• Congress sessions: Smart casual
• College Ceremony and refreshments: Business attire
• Congress Gala dinner: 'Op-Shop Couture' or Cocktail

If you have booked accommodation through the Congress Office, any changes to your booking must be managed through the Congress Office by email, not directly with the hotel. You should refer to the cancellation terms and conditions noted on the website should you need to reduce or cancel your booking.

If there is an emergency at the venue, please stay calm. Please follow the instructions given by the venue staff who are fully trained for an emergency situation.

The emergency phone number in Australia is 000. The dispatcher will then put you through to Police, Ambulance or the Fire Brigade.

We encourage you to network with the exhibitors during Congress. Located in Exhibition Bays 13 & 14 on the Ground Floor of the Exhibition Centre (entry via Door 7), the exhibition will be open the following times:

• Monday 4 May 2026: 08:00-17:30
• Tuesday 5 May 2026: 07:30-17:00
• Wednesday 6 May 2026: 08:00-15:30

Daily catering will be in the exhibition.

Please see the sponsors and exhibitors pages of the website for more information.

Delegates are strongly advised to secure appropriate travel and health insurance. Delegate registration fees do not provide any such coverage. The Congress Organisers and the Congress Office accept no responsibility for any loss in this regard.

There will be a dedicated wifi network for you to use throughout Congress. The password for the Congress network will be printed on the reverse side of your name badge.

Attendees at Congress acknowledge and consent that during their attendance at the RANZCP 2026 Congress their image or voice may be recorded via video, photograph or by any other means (“recorded”) by an officer or official of the RANZCP, which may be distributed or published at the discretion of the RANZCP. If you do not wish to be recorded, you are required to formally advise the RANZCP. The RANZCP 2026 Congress, including the Congress organisers, will not accept liability for the damages of any nature sustained by participants or their accompanying persons for loss or damage to their personal property as a result of the RANZCP 2026 Congress and exhibition or related events. All details contained in this app are correct at the time of publishing.

The opening session will commence at 08:30 sharp on Monday 4 May 2026. This will be in Plenary 2 (Doors 7 & 8) on the Ground Floor of the Convention Centre. We encourage you to register early to ensure you are seated and ready for the formalities to begin. Please see the Congress website for the full program.

Please check your registration details in your email confirmation. If you would like to attend either event and it is not listed on your confirmation, please contact the Congress Office.

Welcome reception
Date: Sunday 4 May 2026
Location: il Mercato Centrale, 546 Collins St, Melbourne
Time: 17:00-19:00
Dress code: Smart casual

Congress Gala dinner
Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026
Location: Plaza Ballroom, 191 Collins St, Melbourne
Time: 18:30-23:00
Dress Code: 'Op-Shop Couture' or Cocktail
Cost: AU$170pp inc GST