About ACOTS
The Australasian Conference on Traumatic Stress (ACOTS) brings together clinicians, researchers, lived‑experience advocates, policy leaders, and frontline professionals dedicated to improving trauma-informed care. Held biannually, ACOTS serves as a regional hub for collaboration, innovation, and shared learning across Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Asia–Pacific.
Our purpose
ACOTS exists to deepen understanding of traumatic stress and promote evidence‑based approaches that support healing. The conference highlights emerging research, showcases best‑practice clinical interventions, and creates space for meaningful dialogue between practitioners and communities affected by trauma.
What you'll experience at ACOTS
- Keynote Addresses featuring international and national leading voices in traumatic stress science and mental health, and recovery
- Workshops designed to build practical skills for clinicians, educators, and support workers
- Research Presentations sharing new findings from across the region
- Lived‑Experience Voices embedded throughout the program, centring the voices of survivors
- Networking Opportunities that foster collaboration across disciplines, sectors and career stage
Who attends ACOTS?
ACOTS welcomes anyone interested in trauma-related fields, including mental health clinicians, researchers and academics, students, workplace mental health specialists, social workers and community practitioners, lived‑experience advocates, and government and policy makers.
Scenes from previous ACOTS
Our conference has been running for decades, so we thought we'd share some of the great times we've had over the years. Here are some of the pictures we captured at our most recent ACOTS events.
Host Organisations
About ASTSS
The Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS) advances trauma recovery and research through providing an academic and professional forum for extending the understanding, prevention and treatment of major stress and trauma within the Australasian region. We do this through workshops and master classes which are held every year, our strong membership base, our website and quarterly bulletin, and through our bi-annual conference.
ASTSS is a not-for-profit organisation, which has existed for over 23 years. The initial structure of ASTSS was built around a central committee and chapters, with the latter being eventually established in all Australian states and territories and New Zealand. Our first national conference was held in Adelaide in April 1993.
One landmark achievement for the ASTSS was the organisation and hosting of the 2000 World Congress in Melbourne on behalf of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), which was attended by over 1000 delegates. We continue to develop relationships with international trauma organisations, and are affiliated with ISTSS to help inform research, policy and support for post-trauma psychological wellbeing.
About Phoenix Australia
For over 30 years, we have been Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health and internationally recognised leaders in our field. We support those struggling with the impacts of trauma in a range of ways, including through our clinical services, expert resources, and world-leading research.
Our mission is to help build the capability of individuals, organisations and the community to understand, prevent and recover from trauma and adversity. We do this through research, policy and practice advice, training, and clinical services.
We are committed to driving forward the mental health agenda both at home and abroad. Our research program advances knowledge of the impact of trauma on the health and wellbeing of trauma survivors, their families, and the community. An independent not-for-profit organisation, Phoenix Australia’s Executive Management group is a team of internationally regarded experts with experience in research, clinical treatment, policy, service development, education, and communication.
Your Co-Chairs
Alexandra Howard
Alex is a practising Clinical Psychologist, public health practitioner and Director of Knowledge Mobilisation (Disasters and Large-scale Emergencies) at Phoenix Australia. For more than 10 years, she has worked to translate and implement evidence-based approaches to mental health and psychosocial support across policy, practice and service systems. Her experience spans emergency services, the transport sector, veteran and military populations, healthcare and disaster-affected communities. She is also a member of the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness & Housing Emergency Management Psychosocial Services Panel.
Max Loomes
Max is the current president of ASTSS, starting his term in 2025. He represents the society in various international forums and consortia, including the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and the European Network of Traumatic Stress (TENTS).
Max is currently a clinical psychologist registrar, PhD candidate, and researcher at various institutions. His clinical and research experience in the field of trauma primarily focuses on occupational trauma and moral injury; however has extended to refugee populations and experiences of iatrogenic harm.
Tracey Varker
Tracey is a an Associate Professor and Director of Research at Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne. Tracey leads a program of work focused on improving mental health outcomes for those who are at high-risk of encountering trauma or stress through their occupation. This includes military personnel, emergency services workers and healthcare workers. She has a particular interest in early intervention and digital innovation for those who have experienced trauma. Tracey is also the Director of Phoenix Australia’s Evidence Synthesis Hub, regularly working with government and industry to undertake literature reviews.