Australia’s healthcare system is under real pressure. Chronic disease is driving up hospital demand, costs are climbing, and the case for shifting toward prevention and early intervention has never been stronger.
On 17 June 2026, the Gold Coast HealthTech Summit returns to Cohort Innovation Space for a focused half-day program bringing together clinicians, researchers, startups, investors, and health leaders to dig into how innovation is changing the way care is delivered.
The numbers make the problem hard to ignore. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Australia’s Health 2024 report, an estimated 778,000 hospital admissions in 2024 were classified as potentially preventable, with around 44% linked to chronic conditions and a combined cost of $3.5 billion. The AIHW’s Burden of Disease data also shows that nearly one third of chronic disease illness and death could be prevented, reduced, or delayed.
The event covers the full arc of where healthtech is heading right now. Participants can expect conversations on how earlier access to diagnostics is shifting patient behaviour and moving care away from reactive treatment models, what real-world AI deployment actually looks like across clinical workflows and patient management systems, and what the path from academic research to venture-backed startup looks like in today’s healthtech environment.
LX Health Director, Dren Xerxa says the summit reflects where the industry is heading.
“We’re seeing a clear move from reactive healthcare to proactive, data-led intervention. The Gold Coast is becoming a real testbed for this kind of innovation, where research, startups, and clinicians are working much closer together.”
Tickets are on sale now. Early bird pricing closes 5 June. Capacity is limited.
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References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024). The ongoing challenge of chronic conditions in Australia. Australia’s Health 2024: data insights. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/chronic-conditions-challenge
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024). Australia’s health 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/australias-health
Health Services Daily (2026, April 16). Why Australia must act now on chronic disease. https://www.healthservicesdaily.com.au/why-australia-must-act-now-on-chronic-disease/43938
Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (2024, December 12). Data and dashboard highlight we need more action on prevention. https://www.acdpa.org.au/aihwboddashboard2024