HEC-RAS and LifeSim Training in Gold Coast
20-21 April 2026
In conjunction with the April 2026 Floodplain Management Australia conference, we will be offering three pre-conference workshops covering LifeSim, HEC-RAS structures, and HEC-RAS dam breach to be held Tuesday 21 April 2026. In addition, we are offering an independent HEC-RAS Essentials course on Monday 20 April 2026. Register for the workshops using the links below or submit an expression of interest to attend any of the sessions. Registrations for the FMA pre-conference workshops can be processed separately or together with conference registrations.
Schedule
Attending the FMA conference? Use the link below to register for workshops:
Register for workshops without conference attendance using the links below:
Not ready to register? Stay informed or ask questions using the link below:
Simulating evacuations and life loss with LifeSim software (Full Day Workshop)
Instructor: Jason Needham, HDR
Early Bird Cost: $750+GST per person
Tuesday 21 April 2026 from 8.30am – 5.00pm (registration from 8.00am)
In partnership with FMA, HDR, and the Australian Water School, we invite you to take part in a pre-conference workshop covering LifeSim software. LifeSim is a free USACE agent-based system for estimating life loss by simulating population redistribution during evacuations from high-hazard events, including floods, dam breaches, tsunamis, cyclones, and fires. Using Monte Carlo simulation, it captures natural variability, uncertainty and potential for life loss in complex situations: About LifeSim.
Participants will develop practical skills, build a complete flood risk model, and apply the examples to real-world applications for infrastructure planning, emergency response, and policy development in flood risk management.
LifeSim utilises two-dimensional flood models which will be provided to course attendees. For those interested in building the 2D models from scratch, HydroSchool will be providing an additional pre-conference workshop on Monday 20 April 2026. This workshop is being held independently of the FMA conference; details are below.
Attendees will need to bring their own laptop computers and will be provided with all necessary installation and tutorial model files prior to the course.
For a head start on LifeSim, watch the free Australian Water School webinar here, or register for the on-demand LifeSim course here. Be sure to use coupon code hydroschool-10 at checkout to receive a 10% discount on the registration fee.
Register for the Gold Coast in-person LifeSim workshops here:
Modelling bridges and culverts in HEC-RAS (Half Day Morning Workshop)
Instructors: Mark Forest and Krey Price
Early Bird Cost: $350+GST per person
Tuesday 21 April 2026 from 8.30am – 12.30 pm (registration from 8.00am)
In partnership with FMA, we invite you to take part in a pre-conference workshop covering structures in HEC-RAS. HEC-RAS is a free hydrologic and hydraulic modelling program that provides one-dimensional and two-dimensional flood modelling: About HEC-RAS.
This workshop provides hands-on training in modelling hydraulic structures using HEC-RAS, with a focus on culverts, bridges, and levees. Participants will explore key hydraulic principles, supported by practical examples and guided workshops.
Attendees will be provided with one-dimensional and two-dimensional flood models which will be using as a basis to incorporate structure. For those interested in building the hydraulic models from scratch, we will be providing an additional independent pre-conference workshop on Monday 20 April 2026. Attendees will need to bring their own laptop computers and will be provided with all necessary installation and tutorial model files prior to the course.
Dam breach modelling with HEC-RAS (Half-Day Afternoon Workshop)
Cost: $350+GST per person
Tuesday 21 April 2026 from 8.30am – 12.30pm (registration from 8.00am)
Instructors: Mark Forest, Evan O’Brien, and Krey Price
In partnership with FMA, we invite you to take part in a pre-conference workshop covering dam breach modelling in HEC-RAS. HEC-RAS is a free hydrologic and hydraulic modelling program that provides one-dimensional and two-dimensional flood modelling: About HEC-RAS.
This workshop provides hands-on training in setting up and running dam breach models in HEC-RAS. Participants will explore key hydraulic principles, supported by practical examples and guided workshops.
Attendees will be provided with flood models which will be using as a basis to incorporate the dam breach. For those interested in building the hydraulic models from scratch, we will be providing an additional pre-conference workshop on Monday 20 April 2026. This workshop is being held independently of the FMA conference. Please visit https://www.hydroschool.org/fma/ for workshop and registration details.
Attendees will need to bring their own laptop computers and will be provided with all necessary installation and tutorial model files prior to the course.
HEC-RAS 2D Essentials (Full-Day Workshop)
Cost: $750+GST per person
Monday 20 April from 8.30am – 5.00pm (registration from 8.00am)
Instructors: Mark Forest, Evan O’Brien, and Krey Price
Learn the basics of 2D flood modelling with HEC-RAS in this interactive, full-day workshop. HEC-RAS is a free hydrologic and hydraulic modelling program: About HEC-RAS.
This workshop provides hands-on training in setting up, running, and troubleshooting a 2D flood model. We will be setting up the same model that will be utilised in the LifeSim course being held on Tuesday 21 Apr 2026. Participants will explore key hydraulic principles, supported by practical examples and guided workshops.
This workshop is being held independently of the FMA conference. Please visit https://www.hydroschool.org/fma/ for additional workshop and registration details. Attendees will need to bring their own laptop computers and will be provided with all necessary installation and tutorial model files prior to the course.
Requirements
No prior experience with HEC-RAS or other modelling software is required – we will provide attendees with all necessary setup files. Beginning users will be provided with basic instructions for familiarity with required menu items before the course. The course contents are designed to be challenging to those with prior experience who are looking to master key features but not overwhelming for those brand new to the software.
Please bring a laptop pre-loaded with HEC-RAS Version 6.7 and LifeSim 2.1.6. The free software can be downloaded here:
- Click here for customised in-house training options
- Click here to enquire with any questions about upcoming courses
Previews of the new capabilities in HEC-RAS are available here:
A demonstration of LifeSim capabilities is available in RMC’s four-part series here:
Location
The 20 April 2026 full-day HEC-RAS Essentials workshop will be held at the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, located across from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre at 81 Surf Parade, Broadbeach QLD 4218.
The 21 April 2026 pre-conference workshops will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre located at 2684-2690 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach QLD 4218.
Pricing
The price for full-day workshops is just AUD $750 + GST. Half-day HEC-RAS workshops are $350 + GST each. Click the registration links below to secure your place or select “register your interest” to be notified of updates or ask questions about the workshops.
