Federal Conference is the supreme governing authority of the Australian Education Union. Delegates to Federal Conference include the Federal President, Deputy Federal President and delegates representing the General Division, TAFE Division and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members in each state and territory of Australia. Delegates hold office for two years, after which time they may be re-elected. Federal Conference meets annually to discuss the priorities and policies of the union. It also determines changes to the AEU Federal Rules and appoints professional officers to work in the AEU Federal Office.

The AEU's 2009 Conference will be held in Melbourne from 16 - 18 January It will commence at 10am when AEU Federal President will address the Conference . Keynote addresses will be delivered by Adam Rorris, Education Economist and Bill Greenshields, President of the National Union of Teachers, UK in the first session.

Approximately 150 delegates and observers from across Australia will attend the conference to discuss a range of issues and establish priorities for the Union. Members of the Union, including teachers, education workers and principals from schools, TAFE and early childhood sectors will consider and debate issues which relate to public education and industrial relations. Topics which will be debated include:

• Delivering a Quality Curriculum
• Industrial Relations
• Campaigning in the New Global environment
• Education and Environmental Sustainability