La Trobe x Benetas Care Economy Innovation Sprint
Reimagine the future of aged care.
Are you passionate about making a real difference? Join the La Trobe x Benetas Care Economy Innovation Sprint and work alongside industry experts to develop innovative solutions that will help shape the future of Australia's aged care sector.
Over two immersive days, collaborate with students from across disciplines, recent La Trobe alumni, and industry from leading aged care provider Benetas, to tackle real-world workforce challenges facing the care economy. Through design thinking, mentoring, and rapid prototyping, you'll develop ideas that can improve the way aged care careers are experienced, supported, and perceived.
Whether you're studying or working in health, business, technology, design, social sciences, or another discipline, your perspective could help transform one of Australia's most important industries.
Program details
- Dates: Thursday 13 August to Friday 14 August 2026
- Time: 8:45am – 5:00pm, each day
- Location: Digital Innovation Hub. Level 2, Eagleworks Innovation Centre, La Trobe University Melbourne Campus - Bundoora. Map Ref: 8G
- Format: In-person
- Catering: Provided by La Trobe University.
Applications close Friday 31 July 2026.
Applications are open to:
- Current La Trobe University undergraduate students
- Current La Trobe University postgraduate students
- La Trobe alumni who graduated within the past three years.
Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
No previous experience in aged care is required.
Participants apply individually, with multidisciplinary teams formed during the event.
The La Trobe x Benetas Care Economy Innovation Sprint is free for all successful applicants.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided on both days. Participants travelling from Victorian regional campuses can also have their travel costs reimbursed after the event, although accommodation in Melbourne is not included.
Why participate?
This Innovation Sprint gives you the opportunity to:
- Work on a genuine industry challenge with leading aged care provider Benetas
- Learn practical innovation, design thinking, and rapid prototyping techniques
- Build multidisciplinary teamwork and leadership skills
- Network with industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers
- Receive mentoring from experienced leaders across the care economy
- Develop your pitching and communication skills
- Create implementation-ready solutions that could progress to pilot projects or future incubation opportunities
- Strengthen your portfolio while exploring career pathways in one of Australia's fastest-growing sectors.
Program Overview
Day One: Thursday 13 August
- Welcome and industry challenge briefing
- Team formation
- Understanding Australia's care economy
- Human-centred design workshops
- Empathy mapping and ideation
- Mentoring sessions.
Day Two: Friday 14 August
- Prototype development
- Career panel featuring industry leaders
- Pitch coaching
- Final presentations
- Awards and networking.
FAQS
- Design thinking and human-centred innovation
- Problem framing and stakeholder empathy
- Rapid ideation and prototyping
- Collaboration across disciplines
- Ethical innovation and implementation planning
- Governance, privacy and quality considerations
- Pitch development and public speaking.
Yes. Successful participants travelling from a Victorian regional campus, such as Bendigo or Shepparton, can have their travel costs reimbursed after the Innovation Sprint. Please note that accommodation in Melbourne is not provided and will need to be arranged at your own expense.
Please bring your laptop, notebook, and an open mind.
No. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply, and you'll receive all the background information you need during the program.
Participants apply individually. Multidisciplinary teams will be formed during Day One to ensure a diverse mix of knowledge and skills.
Program Partners
This care economy-themed Innovation Sprint is delivered by La Trobe University in partnership with Benetas and the La Trobe Health Institute.
Together, the program brings expertise across nursing, allied health, public health, business, social work, gerontology, technology, and innovation to help develop practical solutions for Australia's future care workforce.
Contact us
Need more information? Reach out to:
Shannon Ryan
Program Manager
shannon.ryan@latrobe.edu.au
0438 401 257