Simulation Australasia (SimAust), formerly known as Simulation Australia, is a non-profit organization that provides a forum for those involved in simulation across Australasia, which oversees the Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare (ASSH). Founded in 1999, the forum was created to allow for the discussion and distribution of information and to advance the research, development, and use of simulation technologies. A a proud media partner, this HealthySimulation.com article will highlight SimAust and the benefits of the NPO’s membership and conference events.
History of Simulation Australia (SimAust)
Since 2018, Simulation Australia, headquartered in Newcastle, New South Wales, has worked to advance medical simulation practices across society, industry, academia, and government. Simulation Australasia serves as a hub of collaboration, networking, and professional development to forum members. The Simulation Australasia business plan is maintained in line with the company’s strategic direction, and operational planning is led from the Newcastle office.
Mission and Vision of SimAust
The vision of SimAust is: Simulation Australasia envisions a future where modelling and simulation enable us all to create and live in a better, safer world. The mission of SimAust states they strive to build a better future by connecting Australasia’s modelling and simulation communities, promoting cross-industry research and collaboration and fostering the development of modelling and simulation professionals and standards of good practice
The organisational objectives are:
- Promote simulation for the benefit of providers/practitioners/users to advance the Australasian economy and society
- Optimize value to members
- Support professional development and certification of simulation professionals
- Support research and development demonstrating simulation’s benefits and applications
- Advocate to decision-makers and influencers
- Support diverse participation (including gender diversity)
- Develop external relationships with like-minded organisations
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With the understanding that simulation and modelling are essential tools in the modern world, SimAust continuously promotes research and development of modelling and simulation capabilities to foster innovative and safer communities. The forum envisions a future where modelling and simulation is embraced by all industries to create such a better, safer world. This is why the mission of Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare (ASSH) is to connect Australasia’s modelling and simulation network; empower cross‐industry research and collaboration, develop the profession through review and dissemination of standards of practice for accreditation and certification; and establish a provision of trusted sector information.
The company aims to provide members a platform across Australasia, to further advance the research, development and use of specialty simulation technologies. Members of SimAust come from a variety of backgrounds. These include:
- Defence
- Education
- Emergency Management
- National Security
- Health
- Manufacturing
- Resources & Infrastructure
- Transportation
In advocating to government entities, the ASSH serves as a voice for politicians, senior government officials, media representatives, other national organisations, and decision-makers relevant to simulation applications and policy across Australasia. With a full range of capabilities and services showcased – from sophisticated modelling of equipment and operations, training analysis and courseware production, simulation products, devices and systems, through to the construction, management and operation of training and support centres – ASSH’s capability extends across the many facets of simulation in healthcare.
To support forum members, ASSH offers workforce planning and development options. Providing such opportunities to improve workforce members’ skills is achieved through a Professional Development and Certification Program that leads to recognition as a simulation professional. Events are created for the simulation community to establish a mechanism for forming business relationships and learning how simulation is used across all industries.
The company also elicits research papers so that members can share their experiences across a diverse audience and, in turn, make a significant contribution to the development of standards. These papers help capture the best practices and enhancement opportunities that exist within the Australasian simulation community’s body of knowledge. Simulation Australasia then recognizes the important contributions to the simulation community in Australia through annual awards. Members may be featured on the ASSH website and in the company’s monthly newsletter, providing companies with a marketing and branding mechanism.
Australasian Simulation Congress (ASC)
Since their inception in 1994, Simulation Australasia has been dedicated to organising major conferences that bring the community together to share knowledge and foster collaboration. Now recognised as the Australasian Simulation Congress (ASC), this event features a diverse array of content representing the broad spectrum of industries that rely on simulation every day.
The ASC is held every two years, with the next being scheduled for August 2027 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Simulation Australasia expresses gratitude to Business Events Adelaide and the South Australian Government for their invaluable support, which makes the ASC possible.
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Membership Benefits for Healthcare Simulation in Australia
Simulation Australia offers memberships at both the individual and corporate levels. As a member of Simulation Australasia, simulation professionals gain access to a wealth of resources and medical simulation networks. Simulation Australia works with a range of organizations to represent simulation across the board. Professionals involved in SimAust include individuals and institutions from the following disciplines:
- Defence
- Healthcare
- Serious Games
- Human Dimensions
- Modeling & Simulation
- Professional Development
- Technologies (VR/AR/AI)
- Women in Simulation
Benefits of membership include ASSH involvement, exclusive access to professional member-only forums, discipline-specific simulation resources, discounted registration for a variety of conferences and events, exclusive previews and event invitations, and contributions to key government initiatives.
Corporate members gain increased access to all individual professional member benefits along with branding and marketing opportunities, networking and directory listing, group discounts for staff members, and discounts on professional development, sponsorship and events.
Such events include the annual Simulation Innovation Workshop (SIW), Australasian Simulation Congress, Women in Simulation Symposium, SimGHOSTS Australia and more. To view upcoming SimAust events and conferences, visit their website linked below.
For those interested in becoming an ASSH sponsor, SimAust offers two main advertising and sponsorship opportunities that will put companies front and centre of the simulation community of academics, industry leads, the government and other thought leaders. Their events usually demonstrate products from leading vendors such as Laerdal, Elevate Healthcare, Gaumard, EMS, Simulab, 3D Systems and more!
The Universal Sponsorship encompasses everyday sponsorship and provides a company’s logo on the front page of the SimAust website, a mention in ASSH newsletter and recognition on social media. Alternatively, the Event Sponsorship Sponsoring a specific event provides email recognition to the database, social media recognition, a company’s logo on Simulation Australasia events web page and a stand at the larger events. Similar global organizations like SimAust include ASPiH, SESAM, S3, SimGHOSTS, SSH, IPSS and INACSL.
