Please read these Terms and Conditions of Acceptance carefully.

For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, ‘PowerMakers’ refers to participants who have been formally accepted into the PowerMakers 2026 program, being held from Monday 26 - Thursday 29 October 2026 in Mulubinba (Newcastle), NSW.

PowerMakers is a fully sponsored program. In line with the First Nations Clean Energy Network ('the Network') Travel Support for Sponsored Guests at Events Guidlines, approved participants will receive support for reasonable travel, accommodation, transfers and meals associated with attending the program, as outlined below.

Your sponsored PowerMakers place includes:

• PowerMakers program participation from 26–29 October 2026

• Economy air, train or bus travel where required and approved

• Accommodation at QT Newcastle, as confirmed in your individual itinerary

• Airport transfers for participants travelling by air

• Daily group transfers between QT Newcastle and Murrook Cultural Centre

• Meals provided as part of the official PowerMakers program

• Eligible travel support payments for applicable travel days

• Approved private vehicle travel support, where applicable

• Program materials, activities and official networking/social functions.

Air, train and bus travel

Where required, travel will be booked and paid for in advance by the Network. Travel will generally be booked using the most cost effective practical economy fare and most suitable route available. 

Where flights have been booked on your behalf, you are responsible for arriving at the airport in sufficient time for your flight. The Network cannot accept responsibility for costs resulting from a missed flight where the delay or missed departure is within the traveller’s control.

Once tickets have been issued, approved changes can be made by contacting our travel partner, InTravel, on (03) 9939 4034 or by emailing bookings@intravelgroup.com.au, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.

If you require urgent assistance while travelling, please call (03) 9939 4034. Please have your ITG Booking Number or PNR available when contacting InTravel.

Changes requested for personal reasons may be at your own expense and should not be confirmed without first discussing them with the Network.

Where travel is disrupted due to airline cancellations, natural disasters or other circumstances outside your control, please stay in close contact with Network staff so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Airport and program transfers

Airport transfers will be arranged for sponsored participants flying into and out of Newcastle, in accordance with their approved itinerary.

The Network will also provide daily group transport between QT Newcastle and Murrook Cultural Centre for the duration of the PowerMakers program.

Participants are responsible for being at the nominated pickup point at the advised departure time. Alternative transport required as a result of missing an organised transfer may be at the participant’s own expense.

Any additional taxis, rideshare services or transfers outside the approved itinerary must be discussed with the Network before being booked if reimbursement is being sought.

Private vehicle travel

Where travel by private vehicle has been agreed with the Network in advance, eligible travel may be reimbursed at the applicable ATO standard rate, currently $0.88 per kilometre.

For travel in NSW and other states outside the Northern Territory, reimbursement is capped at 400 kilometres per week, unless additional travel has been approved in advance by the Network.

Vehicle repairs, maintenance, breakdown costs, fines and other vehicle-related expenses are not covered.

Travel support payments

Participants may be eligible for a travel support payment for travel days where the journey exceeds two hours.

Travel support is not payable for program/event days where meals are already provided as part of PowerMakers.

Current travel support rates are:

• Breakfast – $20

• Lunch – $30

• Dinner – $30

• Full travel day – $80

Eligible carers and drivers may receive travel support on the same basis.

Participants receiving a travel support payment will be provided with a Travel Support Form and Statement by Supplier. You will need to check or update your bank details and sign and return the required forms by the advised deadline.

Forms received after the deadline will still be processed as soon as practicable; however, payment may not be received before you travel.

Participants choosing to receive payment using an ABN will be required to complete the relevant supplier documentation and provide a valid tax invoice.

Accommodation

Complimentary accommodation at QT Newcastle will be provided for sponsored participants in accordance with your confirmed itinerary.

Your room costs will be paid directly by the Network.

Any personal expenses charged to your room, including minibar purchases, personal room service/in-room dining, laundry, movies or other incidentals, are at your own expense. The hotel may request a credit or debit card from you at check-in to cover incidentals.

Additional accommodation nights requested for personal travel or an extended stay are not covered unless they have been approved by the Network in advance.

Meals

Meals will be hosted and provided as outlined in the PowerMakers program and your itinerary.

Alcohol purchased outside any specifically hosted arrangements, additional meals, snacks or personal dining expenses are not covered by the Network unless agreed in advance.

Program participation and commitments

By accepting your sponsored place at PowerMakers, you are committing to actively participate in the full program from Monday 26 October to Thursday 29 October 2026, including:

• Welcome and grounding activities on Monday 26 October

• The full PowerMakers learning program from Tuesday 27 - Thursday 29 October

• Scheduled workshops, activities and program sessions

• Official networking and social activities identified as part of the program.

We understand that illness, Sorry Business, family responsibilities and unexpected circumstances can arise. If you are unable to attend part of the program, please speak with the Network team as soon as possible.

As places in PowerMakers are fully sponsored and involve significant travel, accommodation and program costs, if a participant withdraws without reasonable notice or does not attend substantial parts of the program without reasonable circumstances, the Network reserves the right to seek reimbursement of costs incurred on their behalf.

Carers and accompanying persons

Where a participant requires a carer or other accessibility support to participate in PowerMakers, please let the Network team know as early as possible so appropriate arrangements can be discussed.

Carers and drivers who have been approved as part of a participant’s travel arrangements may be eligible for travel support in accordance with the Travel Support Policy.

Other accompanying persons, partners, family members or friends are not included in the sponsored PowerMakers program and cannot attend program sessions, meals or official functions.

Personal and extended travel

Your sponsorship covers travel required to attend PowerMakers in accordance with your approved itinerary.

Costs associated with extended personal travel, changes made for personal reasons, additional accommodation, alcohol, personal effects or other expenses outside the agreed PowerMakers itinerary are not covered.

Where you choose to extend or alter your trip for personal reasons, any additional costs are your responsibility.

Travel insurance

Participants are encouraged to consider appropriate personal travel insurance for their journey.

Any travel insurance purchased by a participant is at their own expense. Where purchasing insurance, participants should ensure the policy covers the full period from departure from their home location until their return.

Emergency and unexpected travel disruptions

We understand that travel does not always go to plan.

Where travel is disrupted due to natural disasters, airline cancellations or similar circumstances outside a participant’s control, First Nations Clean Energy Network may cover reasonable additional accommodation, meals and re-booked travel for up to three days, assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The safety and wellbeing of participants is our priority. If your travel is disrupted, please contact Network staff and/or InTravel as soon as possible so we can assist with alternative arrangements.

Photography and videography

Photography and videography will take place throughout PowerMakers to document the program and share its impact.

By participating in PowerMakers, you acknowledge that the Network appointed photographers, videographers and staff may photograph or film you during the program and that this content may be used in Network communications, including websites, reports, publications and social media.

If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, or have particular preferences about how images of you are used, please advise the team so we can respect your wishes.

Personal belongings

Participants are responsible for their own luggage and personal belongings while travelling and during the program.

The Network cannot accept responsibility for lost, damaged, delayed or stolen luggage or personal belongings, except where liability cannot legally be excluded.

Activities, safety and liability

The Network works with venues, transport providers, accommodation providers, cultural organisations, tour operators and other suppliers to deliver PowerMakers.

Participants are expected to follow reasonable safety instructions provided by Network staff, venues, cultural hosts, transport providers and activity operators.

Some optional activities may involve additional physical activity or inherent risks. Participation in these activities is voluntary. Participants should consider their own circumstances, mobility, health and level of comfort before choosing to participate and should follow all instructions provided by the activity operator.

Where an activity is not suitable or a participant would prefer not to take part, an alternative may be offered where available.

To the extent permitted by law, the Network are not responsible for loss, damage, injury, delay or disruption caused by third-party service providers or circumstances outside their reasonable control.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to exclude or limit any rights or protections that cannot lawfully be excluded under Australian law.

Expenses not covered

Unless specifically approved by the Network in advance, the following are not covered as part of your sponsored place:

• Travel insurance

• Alcohol outside hosted arrangements

• Minibar, personal room service and hotel incidentals

• Personal or extended travel

• Flight or itinerary changes made for personal reasons

• Vehicle repairs or breakdowns

• Traffic or parking fines

• Personal effects and purchases

• Costs above approved travel or kilometre caps

• Additional accommodation or transport outside your approved itinerary.

Acceptance

By accepting your place and registering for PowerMakers 2026, you confirm that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions and agree to participate in accordance with them.