The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) will hold a graduation ceremony in Sydney on May 21, 2026, for insurance and finance professionals from Australia, New Zealand, and Asia who have completed qualifications and other formal study with the institute over the past year.

Ceremony focuses on education outcomes

The graduation will take place at Rydges North Sydney in the Whiteley Room. It is scheduled from 1:30pm to 2pm, followed by networking and refreshments until 3pm. The event is open to ANZIIF members and invited guests and will formally acknowledge individuals who have completed ANZIIF programs in areas such as general insurance, life insurance, broking, claims, risk, and related disciplines. Graduates are expected to include practitioners working in underwriting, claims handling, distribution, risk management, and other functions at insurers, brokers, intermediaries, and service providers across the region. The ceremony will recognise both qualification completions and other structured learning pathways completed during the past 12 months.

ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks said the ceremony is intended to recognise individual study efforts and provide a forum for members to meet in person. “This is an important moment for our members to come together, reflect on the year that was, and recognise the achievements across the profession. Our members are at the heart of everything we do. Their commitment to learning, professionalism, and supporting one another is what continues to strengthen the industry,” Shanks said.

AGM precedes graduation in combined program

Immediately before the graduation, ANZIIF will convene its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) for members, also at Rydges North Sydney. The AGM is scheduled from 12:30pm to 1:30pm in the Whiteley Room and is open only to members. The AGM will cover governance and oversight matters, including consideration of reports and financial statements, and updates on board composition and strategic direction. The combined schedule means members attending in person will be able to participate in the institute’s formal governance processes and then attend the graduation in the same venue.

Membership renewal and professional development in 2026

The May 21 event forms part of ANZIIF’s broader 2026 membership renewal and recruitment campaign, which was launched in November 2025. The campaign targets professionals across the insurance and finance value chain, including underwriting, claims, distribution, risk, compliance, and supporting functions. ANZIIF presents membership as a way for practitioners to obtain formal recognition of their professional standing while accessing structured learning in an environment of regulatory change and shifting risk profiles. Shanks says the aim is to link membership status with ongoing support for day-to-day practice. “Membership is more than recognition – it’s belonging to a trusted community that supports your growth, learning, and confidence to navigate change,” she said.

Under its purpose statement “Educate, Connect, and Lead,” ANZIIF offers qualifications, micro-credentials, and continuing professional development, along with networking forums and industry engagement across multiple markets. In 2025, ANZIIF introduced courses developed in response to recommendations from government flooding inquiries, including content on customer vulnerability, empathetic claims management, and the use of experts in complex losses. New learning in 2026 is expected to focus on code updates and regulatory change, with the aim of helping members understand and apply conduct and compliance requirements in their jurisdictions.

New benefits and loyalty features for members

For 2026, ANZIIF is planning to add further membership features, including a Member Advantage partnership program that will provide access to discounts, lifestyle offers, and wellbeing services in addition to education and professional forums. A new loyalty program is also being introduced for longer-term members. Existing membership benefits include Certified Insurance Professional (CIP) recognition with a digital badge and tracked professional development activity; free weekly webinars; expert articles and industry insights; weekly newsletters with market and regulatory updates; access to a library of more than 1,000 articles, recordings, and professional development activities; and discounted rates for events, training programs, and industry awards. Members also gain access to a network of peers across Australia, New Zealand, and Asian insurance hubs.

Events calendar and engagement across the region

The Sydney graduation is one component of ANZIIF’s 2026 event schedule, which brings together technical training, executive-style learning, and networking opportunities throughout the year. The calendar includes the ANZIIF Business School in New South Wales, liability conferences in New Zealand and Australia, a reinsurance study course and Reinsurance Rendezvous, the Australian and New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards, the AICLA/ANZIIF Claims Convention, and an Insurance Risk Management Program, among other activities.

In Australia, ANZIIF is rolling out a new Industry Connect series across several states, replacing its previous Member Connect events. Industry Connect sessions will focus on current market developments and emerging issues, providing a setting for insurers, brokers, loss adjusters, and other stakeholders to exchange views on developments affecting underwriting, claims, regulation, and distribution. The ANZIIF Business School will continue to use a university-style format with four specialist-led sessions. The program is intended to link market and management topics with case studies and examples that participants can apply in their organisational roles.