Exploring Leisure Landscapes: Trends, Transformations and Traditions
Our 2025 Conference recognises the dynamic nature of the various fields of leisure from emerging trends to traditional practices, and the transformative impact they have on individuals and societies.
ANZALS 2025 provides a broad platform for leisure scholars to delve into various aspects of recreation, sport, events, tourism and the arts fostering rich discussions and interdisciplinary exchanges.
Join us to unpack the trends, transformations, and traditions shaping leisure today. From digital play to grassroots arts, from wellbeing to sustainability, this is the space to connect, reflect, and grow.
Presentations are allocated 20 minutes per topic (10 mins speaker, 10 mins questions/discussion). Presentations may be placed in the following streams:
- Navigating new frontiers in education
- Digital Horizons: Exploring technology, wellness, ethics and community engagement
- Shadows and Light: Exploring Dark Leisure, Well-being, and Transformative Experiences
- Everyday Escapes: Navigating Leisure in Daily Life
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity: Bridging Gaps, Building Communities
- Other relevant streams (connect with us and suggest one)
Submission Guidelines:
- Abstracts should be 250-300 words (use Microsoft Word).
- Include the title, author(s) names(s), affiliation(s) and contact details, and keywords.
- Final abstract submission closed 31 October 2025 via email to anzals@uts.edu.au
All submissions will undergo a peer-review process, and notification of acceptance will be sent to the submitting author.
We look forward to your contributions and to a stimulating and enriching conference.
Have an idea for a Plenary Session or Workshop?
Connect with the Conference team and let us know via email anzals@uts.edu.au
Click here to go to our Humanitix site to register
Your guide to accommodation and navigating Sydney for sun, sea and scholarship!
Our Conference Partner University of Technology Sydney is located on the Gadigal Lands of the Eora Nation, in Ultimo, just steps away from accommodation options, cafes, museums, the harbour and much more.
In December, Sydney is at its finest, with warm weather (average 25C/77F) a relaxed and festive atmosphere, and a world-class harbour.
Accommodation
You will be spoiled for choice for accommodation in Sydney, no matter your budget or travel style.
Sydney makes it easy—no matter your budget or travel style. A simple online search (accommodation near Ultimo) will help you find:
Luxury hotels: Unwind in five-star style at the Sofitel Darling Harbour, the Fullerton, or the InterContinental, all within a short walk or train ride.
Mid-range comfort: Explore options like the Vibe Hotel, Adina Apartments, or Ibis Sydney Central—affordable, stylish, and super convenient.
Budget-conscious: Student-friendly hostels like Wake Up! Sydney or The Pod offer clean, safe, social environments close to UTS.
Airbnb and serviced apartments: For those staying longer or travelling with family, Sydney offers everything from studio flats in Surry Hills to chic terraces in Newtown.
Here we have curated a small selection of the closest hotels to the UTS Campus in Ultimo.
Bonus: Sydney’s excellent public transport system means you can even stay by the beach and still make it to the conference on time.
Bike about: There are a number of bike share companies operating in Sydney such as Ario and Lime. These are accessed through apps available from the App store and Google Play. Please ride safely, wear a helmet at all times and obey rules of the road.
Ride Share: Uber and DiDi operate in Australia as alterative to taxis. Apps like 13Cabs allow you to book traditional taxis, which can be a good option for fixed fares or for getting a ride directly from a taxi rank.
Airport to Ultimo: There are many options to get from Sydney airport to Ultimo. There is an Airport Link train directly from the Airport to Central, then a 2 minute walk through the tunnel to the Goods Line and you will be right in the middle of Ultimo and UTS.
Click here to go to our Humanitix site to register
Register for ANZALS 2025
GO to our Humanitx page to register
Registration pricing
With an understanding of the pressures that academics are facing, at ANZALS we are committed to ensuring that we keep costs as reasonable as possible. That’s why we have a generous discount for early bird registration (to 31 August 2025) and aligned our fees with the previous ANZALS conference in Auckland 2023.
Register HERE –
https://events.humanitix.com/anzals-conference-2025/tickets
Every delegate makes a difference
At ANZALS 2025, we’re committed to making a meaningful impact—not just for our delegates, but for the wider community as well. That’s why we’ve partnered with Humanitix, a ticketing platform that transforms booking fees into charitable contributions.
Through this collaboration, your registration helps support vulnerable communities across Australia, New Zealand, and globally.
Together, we’re turning every ticket into a force for good.
ANZALS 2025 Conference at a Glance
Our 2025 Conference
Are you bursting to know what we have in store for ANZALS 2025? Below is a sneak peek at some our highlights, and of course each conference day will be accompanied by incredible, healthy, local catering.
If you are an early riser – there will be something special just for you. Watch this space!
Monday 1 December
- HDR Student 1/2 day workshop (afternoon)
- Welcome casual sundown bbq & drinks on the terrace at UTS Business School
Tuesday 2 December
- Welcome to Country
- Opening by the UTS Business School Dean
- Plenary and paper sessions (of course!)
- Networking, mentoring, and more
- Free evening to grab a meal with friends old and new
Wednesday 3 December
- Workshops, and sessions and papers galore
- Special Interest Group Meetings
- ANZALS Annual General Meeting
- The TransTasman Challenge
Thursday 4 December
- Education workshop
- Final paper sessions
- Industry Session – what do THEY want from us?
- Awards Dinner – Award winners, and find out who the 2027 host University are..
The ANZALS 2025 Organising Committee reserve the right to amend and update this program as required.
Click here to go to our Humanitix site to register
Visa Information
Entry Requirements
All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia for the ANZALS leisure conference in Sydney.
Please note: New Zealand passport holders are an exception to this rule and will normally be granted a Special Category visa on arrival, provided they meet health and character requirements. Additionally, permanent residents of Norfolk Island may be granted a Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa on arrival.
Recommended Visa Options
The most suitable visas for attending the ANZALS conference in Sydney are:
1. ETA (601) – Electronic Travel Authority
- Application process: Online only
- Processing time: Usually immediate
- Cost: AUD20 service provider charge
- Purpose: Tourism or business purposes
The ETA is the fastest option for eligible passport holders. While the visa itself is free, there’s a AUD20 service provider charge. Additional charges may apply if you use a travel agency or specialist service provider.
Apply online: ETA Application
2. eVisitor (651)
- Application process: Online only
- Processing time: One working day for low-risk applications
- Cost: Free – no application charge or service fee
- Purpose: Tourism or business purposes
The eVisitor visa is completely free and processes quickly for most applicants.
Apply online: eVisitor Application
Important: Eligibility for ETA and eVisitor visas depends on your passport nationality. Check the eligibility requirements on the respective websites.
3. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Business Visitor Stream
- Application process: Online or paper application
- Processing time: Varies (check current processing times)
- Cost: AUD190 application fee
- Purpose: Business activities including conferences
This visa is for passport holders who are not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor visa.
Apply online: Visitor Visa Application
4. Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) – Invited Participant
- For: Conference speakers, presenters, and exhibitors receiving payment
- Application process: Online or paper
- Cost: Varies
More information: Temporary Activity Visa
Before You Apply
Conference Invitation
- If you require a letter of invitation please contact the Organising Team via email ANZALS@uts.edu.au
Application Timing
- Standard applications: Apply at least 3 months before December 2025
- Complex cases: Apply 4 months ahead if you have health or character concerns
- Paper applications: Allow extra processing time
Processing Times
Check current global visa processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Health and Character Requirements
All visa applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements to protect the Australian community’s safety and security.
Health Requirements
You may need to undertake:
- Medical examination
- Chest X-ray
- Other health checks as determined by the Department
The Department will advise you of any required health checks based on your circumstances.
Character Requirements
You must satisfy character requirements under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958. If you have prior criminal convictions and are unsure about meeting character requirements:
- Lodge a paper application at your nearest Australian visa office
- Apply at least 4 months before the December conference
- Find your nearest office on the Department’s website
Additional Considerations
Travel Sanctions
Check if your country is subject to travel sanctions on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. Nationals from sanctioned countries may not be permitted to enter Australia.
Arriving in Sydney
When you arrive at Sydney Airport for the ANZALS conference:
- Present your passport and travel documents
- Complete an Incoming Passenger Card
- Carry your visa grant notice for reference
Your Visa Obligations
- Comply with all visa conditions during your stay
- Ensure your visa doesn’t expire while in Australia
- Remember that visa breaches can result in cancellation and removal from Australia
Need Help?
For visa application assistance, contact your nearest Australian visa office or visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney for the ANZALS conference! See you in December 2025.
More on our Conference Theme and Streams
- Our Conference team aim to create an inclusive, diverse range of streams to allow leisure scholars to stretch your academic wings and dive into emerging topics in our fields.
- Navigating New Frontiers in Education: Exploring innovative approaches, methodologies, and practices that are shaping the future of education.
- Digital Horizons: Exploring Technology, Wellness, Ethics, and Community Engagement: Investigating the intersection of technology with wellness, ethical considerations, and community involvement.
- Shadows and Light: Exploring Dark Leisure, Well-being, and Transformative Experiences: Delving into the complexities of dark leisure activities and their impact on well-being and personal transformation.
- Everyday Escapes: Navigating Leisure in Daily Life: Examining how individuals incorporate leisure into their daily routines and the implications for quality of life.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity: Bridging Gaps, Building Communities: Addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and exploring strategies for fostering inclusive communities.
- Other: We also welcome submissions on other relevant topics that do not fall within the above streams.
If we have not yet added a stream to satisfy your specialty, please email us anzals@uts.edu.au and let us know!
Higher Degree Research Students - join us
🎓 At ANZALS, we understand that the HDR journey is both challenging and transformative. That’s why we’re committed to supporting the next generation of scholars every step of the way. We know that funds can be tight too – so there are healthy conference discounts for HDR students AND the ANZALS Board is offering (current student members) up to five student scholarships to attend the half-day HDR workshop and the three conference days. More information on the Student Research Scholarships can be found here.
If you’re a Higher Degree Research (HDR) student, we can’t wait to welcome you to Sydney—and into the ANZALS family. At ANZALS 2025 you will:
- Connect with your HDR peers in a half-day workshop (Monday afternoon) to get comfortable before the Conference begins on Tuesday
- Gain confidence by presenting your research in a supportive environment
- Discover new directions for your work in the vibrant field of leisure studies
- Meet and network with leisure scholars from all over the world
From dedicated student workshops and mentoring sessions to networking events and social gatherings, ANZALS 2025 is more than a conference—it’s a launchpad for your academic journey.
Click here to go to our Humanitix site to register
ANZALS Student Research Scholarship
ANZALS is delighted to be able to offer up to five student scholarships to attend the half-day Higher Degree Research (HDR) Student Workshop on Monday 1st December 2025 and the three-day ANZALS conference to be held at the University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia from Tuesday 2nd to Thursday 4th December 2025.
The scholarship covers the cost of the HDR Student Workshop and the conference registration fee, and will also include a two-year ANZALS membership (2026-2027). Students will be required to pay for their own flights, accommodation, any meals not included in the conference fee and any other incidental costs incurred.
Scholarship winners will be notified by email by Katie McDonald by Friday 22 August 2025.
Eligibility:
To be eligible to apply for the ANZALS Student Research Scholarship students need to:
- Be currently enrolled and studying (full-time or part-time) in an Honours, Masters by Research or PhD program at a tertiary institution
- Be able to attend the HDR Student Workshop held on Monday 1st December 2025
- Provide evidence of acceptance of their abstract by the conference organisers
- Not be employed in a full-time position at a tertiary institution
- Be undertaking research within the leisure studies field
- Attach a 500-word statement explaining how their research fits into the theme of the ANZALS 2025 conference, and how attending the 2025 ANZALS HDR student research workshop and conference will assist the student in furthering their studies
Must be a current (e.g., 2025) ANZALS student member (for more information on how to join click here: https://www.anzals.org.au/join-anzals/)
Criteria for evaluation:
The ANZALS Student Research Scholarship applications will be administered and ranked by a panel comprised of at least two ANZALS Board members. The assessment criteria for the awarding of the scholarships will be based on the ability of the student, in their application, to clearly articulate:
- How well the research fits into the theme of the ANZALS conference, “Exploring Leisure Landscapes: Trends, Transformations, and Traditions”
- How attending the workshop and conference will assist in furthering their studies
Priority will be given to applicants who did not receive a scholarship for the 2023 conference.
The panel reserves the right not to award scholarships if the applications submitted are not of sufficient merit and/or do not meet the eligibility criteria as stated above.
Application process:
The applicant must provide the following documents via email:
- The completed and signed ANZALS 2025 Student Research Scholarship application form Final
- A 500-word statement (anonymised and in Word format only)
- Proof of their current student status (confirmation of enrolment, letter from supervisor or similar)
- Proof that they have an abstract or full paper accepted to present at the 2025 ANZALS conference
In the event the abstract deadline is extended by conference organisers, the submission date for scholarship applications will remain the same. If applicants have not received notification of acceptance from conference organisers, they must attach proof of abstract submission with their application form.
Applications should be emailed to Katie McDonald, ANZALS Board Member (Katie.McDonald@latrobe.edu.au)
Please note: the 500-word statement must be in a Word document only and be anonymised (do not include your name or affiliation in this document so that it can be blind reviewed). Failure to comply with this will result in your application being rejected.
Deadline for submission: Friday 1 August at 5pm 2025 (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
ANZALS 2025 Organising Team
UTS Organising Committee
The organising committee for the 2025 Conference are out host UTS Business School in Sydney. The UTS Organising committee are headed up by Professor Carmel Foley, and Dr Meg Hibbins as our Conference Chairs.
Assisting our Conference Chairs, are a dedicated team of academics who are volunteering their time to ensure that ANZALS 2025 is a rewarding, fun and academically engaging event.
Scientific Committee
Professor Carmel Foley heads up the scientific committee and is joined by:
Contact Us
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the organising committee by email ANZALS@uts.edu.au
Acknowledgement of Country
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