FAQs

Yes! Lessons from other ecosystems and technologies can be valuable. Just make sure your proposal addresses how the talk is relevant to people who use Python.

We'd love talks on talks that don't directly include 'code' in the talk. Be sure your proposal addresses how the talk will be relevant to people who use Python.

Yes! If your talk has been presented at other events but not at PyCon AU, we welcome hearing the new improved version at PyCon AU. Consider what improvements or changes might be appropriate to a PyCon AU audience.

We love your enthusiasm, however only talks or posters sessions will have the option for peer reviewed publication at PyCon AU 2026.

Yes! Be mindful that the CFP review process brings in a broad audience of different perspectives, and your proposal is not considered to be confidential during review.

If your topic is embargoed, please consider:

• Your title, abstract, description and notes will still be shared with reviewers.
• Embargoed talks can be withheld from publication in the program schedule until a date/time that you specify.
• If your talk is embargoed it will not impact the review process for how your talk is considered.
• If your talk is embargoed, the embargo date may impact the final selection into the conference program. This is because we are enthusiastic to promote our program ahead of the August conference. We will discuss with you before selection if this consideration applies.

Please email us at program@pycon.org.au before the CFP closes to discuss your specific scenario.

Yes^{^}! Speakers who present a talk and promote their session before the conference will receive a full three day ticket at the Professional level. This includes a conference t-shirt and full catering on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Speakers who wish to speak but do not want to promote their session before the conference may be offered a 1 day ticket (at the Professional level) instead. Promoting your talk helps us sell tickets and ensure your talk is presented to a room full of enthusiastic attendees.

Promotion can be as simple as sharing your talk on social media or inviting your friends and colleagues to the conference. We'll provide you with graphics and other material to help you do so.

If this ticket policy impacts your submission, please reach out to program@pycon.org.au so we can discuss your specific situation.

Unfortunately, no. Posters sessions do not include a free ticket by themselves, however we expect most posters will be presented by speakers or delegates already planning to attend.

If these ticket policies impact your submission, please reach out to program@pycon.org.au so we can discuss your specific situation.

Every year, speakers blow us away with their enthusiasm, expertise and excitement on stage. We've got just a couple of asks ahead of time that will help us, help you, to give an awesome talk.

• If your talk is selected, help us to promote your talk ahead of the conference via your preferred social media and invite your network. We'll produce graphics and other material to help you do so.
• Join us for the full conference, even if your talk is on the last day. We want you to experience everything PyCon AU has to offer!
• Come prepared for your talk, and test your AV early. We'll have details in a speaker briefing closer to the conference.
• Ask questions early and often. At PyCon AU we go out of our way to make sure speakers have an awesome experience, but sometimes hard to accomodate your requests the day of your talk.

PyCon AU does not pay speakers to attend and speak at the conference. If travelling to Brisbane is cost prohibitive for you, please consider also applying for financial assistance.

Yes! If your talk is accepted, we can provide a letter that confirms your talk is accepted. You can then use this letter in support of your visa application.

The process will look roughly like this:

1. PyCon AU will send acceptance emails, that require you to click "Accept" in Pretalx. We aim to do this in late April or early May.
2. Shortly after accepting (likely a few days), we'll send registration vouchers to register for the conference for free.
3. When you register, you'll be asked if you are applying for a visa. As a speaker, we'll assume you need a letter confirming your talk.
4. As a registered attendee, we can also provide your registration confirmation to the Department of Home Affairs.

We've published guidance further guidance for international visitors in the attendee guide.

Mentors can help you improve the quality of your proposal so that it can be better evaluated during review, however mentors cannot influence the review process after CFP closes.

Some of the most popular talks at PyCon AU started as an early draft and then received mentoring during CFP - so we know it definitely helps!

Generally speaking no. Thats what coffee and lunch with your friends and colleagues is for =D. Mentors help most when you have a draft proposal or a talk outline you're looking to improve.

Our mentors are volunteers and have multiple mentees to help during CFP. To be fair to everyone our mentors will generally give one or two rounds of feedback to help you along with the process.

Mentors can help you improve the clarity, structure, and impact of your proposal. They can help you identify gaps in your content, or areas that might need more detail. They can also help you ensure your proposal aligns with the CFP guidelines.

Proposals in Pretalx always start by selecting a primary track. Further down, you'll see an option to select additional tracks to submit your proposal to. Please only select the tracks that are relevant to your talk.

Talks and posters are different session types. Please submit two proposals in Pretalx. In your posters proposal, please add the notes that you have also submitted a related talk proposal.

Note that posters and talks are reviewed separately using different criteria. Your talk proposal will not influence your poster proposal, and visa versa.

Yes! Proposals can be edited right up until the CFP deadline. Just log back into Pretalx, and make any changes you need. Submit (and edit) early and often!

If your topic is embargoed, please:

• Take note of the anonymity guidelines when writing your proposal.
• Share with us the details of the embargo in the notes field - this field is shared only with reviewers.

Or email us at program@pycon.org.au before the CFP closes to discuss your specific scenario.

Our financial assistance program is available to speakers to support your attendance at the conference. Please submit a separate application via our financial assistance page.

Applying for financial assistance does not impact the review of your talk proposal. However the conference has a limited budget, so we may not be able to accept all applicants who apply.