• Cohort and connection: The 2026 graduate cohort came together in Brisbane to build strong relationships across roles and locations, supporting both professional and personal growth.
• 20-year milestone: The conference marked two decades of Suncorp’s Graduate Program, reflecting strong demand for places and a continued focus on developing broad skills that lead to specialist careers.
• Future-focused capability: With around half the cohort in Technology and Operations, leaders highlighted the future of work and the importance of evolving alongside industry change and emerging technology.

45 graduates recently travelled to Heritage Lanes from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland to attend the organisation's annual three-day Graduate Conference.

The event marks an early and crucial part of the Suncorp Graduate Program – a structured two-year experience that helps graduates grow technical skills and build networks across the business while gaining practical, hands-on experience.

The program is also designed to show graduates roles they may not have considered during their studies, especially in risk and insurance where there is no single degree that leads directly into the work.

The program continues to be a highly sought after opportunity across the industry, with Suncorp recently being recognised as a Top Graduate Employer at the SEEK Grad Top 100 Future Leaders Awards.

The insurer was also ranked number 7 in the Most Popular Banking, Finance and Insurance Employer category.

Since the program began 20 years ago, Suncorp has welcomed hundreds of graduates and interns, with many building long careers across the business.

Over three days, the graduates heard insights from senior leaders, took part in personal development sessions, and built meaningful connections with peers across Australia and New Zealand.

Gabriella, a 2026 insurance data graduate in the performance and insights space said: “A highlight of the Thrive Graduate Conference for me was the DISC profile workshop – it provided a valuable perspective on our natural versus adaptive behaviours at work and challenged the idea that we need to conform to a certain mould.”

“It reinforced the importance of self-awareness and showed how a growth mindset can help you thrive in any environment.”

That culture of continuous learning and curiosity is something Gabriella has seen promoted throughout the organisation.

“There’s a genuine sense of openness and approachability, even with senior leaders, which makes the environment feel collaborative and inclusive,” she said.

With around half the current cohort working in Technology and Operations, the conference also shined a light on evolving technology and how fast the industry is changing.

Suncorp Chief Information Officer Adam Bennett said the graduate program provides a unique opportunity to invite fresh perspectives and ensure the organisation stays ahead of the curve.

“The insurance landscape is changing. As we face evolving risks and opportunities around technology like Agentic AI, we need to ensure that we are bringing in the next generation of talent to tackle these priorities across Suncorp,” he said.

Suncorp Graduate Talent Consultant, Isabella Muminovic, said the annual conference is designed to build capability and confidence, not only through learning sessions, but also through shared experiences.

“We want graduates to feel part of one cohort, even when they work in different teams and cities,” she said.

“The focus for our 2026 cohort is to develop broad skills first, with a view to move into specialist roles across the business.”

The Graduate Conference placed equal emphasis on career development and personal development, giving graduates time to reflect, learn from different perspectives, and build habits that will support them through future rotations and beyond.

For Yasha, who worked as an intern before being offered a graduate role at Suncorp, the conference was a unique opportunity to connect with likeminded peers across the organisation.

“My favourite part of the Thrive Conference was how cohesive all the sessions felt – whether it was hearing from our leaders or reflecting on our behavioural tendencies, the diversity in perspectives and thought linked together beautifully and was very insightful,” she said.