Canberra, 6 November — Smart Air, a clean-air social enterprise and certified B Corp, proudly supported the “Safer Shared Air: Make the Invisible Visible” conference at Parliament House, Canberra. The event highlighted Australia’s need to improve indoor air quality and brought together leading scientists, health experts, government leaders, and community voices.
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Safer Shared Air: Make the Invisible Visible Conference
The conference ran on 6 November in the Theatre at Parliament House. It was hosted by The Safer Air Project, led by Plum Stone. Partners included AIRAH, the Australian Academy of Science, and the Burnet Institute. The day featured scientific presentations, policy briefings, workplace and union perspectives, and lived-experience panels.
The conference opened with Assistant Minister Rebecca White MP, who stated:
“Air quality is a health equity issue. One in two Australians lives with a chronic health condition, and many are vulnerable to the air they breathe. Anyone can become sick from polluted air. The Australian Government is committed to improving indoor air quality.”
In 2018, more than 4,000 Australians died from air pollution, almost four times the national road toll. Despite decades of research, indoor air quality has no national performance standards. Data is limited. Less than 0.03% of Australian buildings have published air-quality measurements. Many classrooms show CO₂ levels far above safe limits. The conference aimed to turn this evidence into real action.
Smart Air Stands With Australia’s Indoor Air Quality Movement
Smart Air was the exclusive clean-air technology partner for the event. We supplied Blast and Blast Mini air purifiers to help keep the air clean throughout the venue.
Smart Air also showcased AIR+ Clean Air Inside, our new initiative that makes indoor air quality easy to see and understand. AIR+ combines AirSense with a clear, real-time monitoring dashboard. It helps organisations track particles, chemicals, ventilation, and more. Our mission is simple: to make clean air measurable, reliable, and visible. The conference theme ‘make the invisible visible’ captured the essence of what AIR+ aims to achieve.
National Milestones Announced
The event celebrated several important steps forward:
1. Australia’s CDC Commencing 1 January
Assistant Minister for Health Rebecca White MP confirmed that legislation has passed to establish the new Australian Centre for Disease Control. The CDC will be commencing indoor air quality across the government.
2. Launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Clean Air Quality
Launched by Senator Ananda-Rajah and co-chaired with Dr Ryan MP. This is Australia’s first parliamentary group focused only on clean air.
Read more here.
3. Release of the Academy of Science’s New Indoor Air Report
Introduced by Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska, a world leader in indoor air science and winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, with Academy CEO Anna-Maria Arabia OAM. This is the first report of its kind in Australia and internationally. The report calls for national indoor-air performance standards, regular monitoring, and transparent reporting.
Download the report here.
4. New South Wale Parliamentary Launches Inquiry Into Clean Indoor Air
Dr Amanda Cohn MLC announced the launch of the NSW Inquiry into Clean Indoor Air, marking a major step forward for IAQ in Australia.
Keynote Speakers
Leading speakers included:
- Prof Michael Kidd AO, University of New South Wales
- Prof Lidia Morawska, Queensland University of Technology
- Anna-Maria Arabia OAM, CEO, Academy of Science
- A/Prof Suman Majumdar, Burnet Institute
- Liam O’Brien, ACTU Assistant Secretary
- Dr Amanda Cohn MLC, Greens NSW spokesperson for Health
The conference also included powerful stories from patients and community organisations such as the Immune Deficiencies Foundation, CF Together, and Emerge Australia. You can listen to their speeches via this link.
Why Smart Air Supports This Work
Smart Air aims to make clean air accessible for everyone. We believe that indoor air should be safe in every home, classroom, and workplace. The science is clear, and the technology already exists. The next step is action.
Through AIR+, we help organisations measure their air, understand their risks, and improve health outcomes with clear data. The conference’s message aligns with our mission: clean air must be visible, accountable, and part of everyday health protection.
A Call for Clean Air
Smart Air supports national efforts to create indoor-air standards, require monitoring in public buildings, and build transparency across workplaces, schools, and community spaces. Clean air saves lives. It protects workers, students, families, and vulnerable communities.
We are proud to stand with government, science, and community partners in this national effort. Clean indoor air is achievable. The tools exist. The time to act is now.
A big thank you to The Safer Air Project and Plum Stone for hosting such an important and inspiring event.
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