AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL HEMP CONFERENCE 2026
The Australian Industrial Hemp Conference 2026 (AIHC 2026) is bringing Australia’s industrial hemp industry back to Geelong this September.
Held under the theme “Growing Together”, the conference brings together growers, processors, researchers, manufacturers, builders, policymakers and industry organisations to explore the opportunities and challenges facing industrial hemp in Australia.
From hemp construction and advanced natural fibres to cropping, genetics, processing, regulation and emerging markets, AIHC 2026 is an opportunity to hear from people working across the entire industrial hemp supply chain.
VHA members save 20% on conference tickets
Members of the Victorian Hemp Association receive 20% off the AIHC 2026 conference fee.
The standard conference fee is currently $700 + GST ($770 including GST).
With the 20% State Association member discount, this reduces the conference fee to approximately $560 + GST ($616 including GST).
That’s a saving of $154.
If you are already a VHA member, contact us for your conference discount code.
Email: info@victorianhempassociation.org.au
Not a member yet?
Joining the Victorian Hemp Association connects you with Victoria’s industrial hemp community and gives you access to member benefits including the AIHC 2026 conference discount.
Australian Industrial Hemp Conference 2026 dates
The main Australian Industrial Hemp Conference runs from:
Monday 21 September to Wednesday 23 September 2026
The conference begins with a registration and Meet & Greet on Monday evening, followed by two full conference days on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Optional industry site visits are also planned for Thursday 24 September.
Where is the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference 2026?
AIHC 2026 will be held in Geelong, Victoria.
Venue: Rydges Geelong Events Centre
City: Geelong, Victoria
Geelong is an appropriate home for the conference, with a strong connection to advanced manufacturing, fibre research, agriculture and the development of Australia's industrial hemp industry.
The first Australian Industrial Hemp Conference was also held in Geelong in 2018.
What is the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference?
The Australian Industrial Hemp Conference is a national industry conference focused specifically on industrial hemp.
The conference was established to encourage greater collaboration between the different parts of the Australian hemp industry, including:
hemp growers
processors
researchers and universities
food producers
fibre and textile businesses
hemp builders and construction professionals
manufacturers
industry associations
government and policymakers
investors and emerging businesses
The inaugural conference was held in Geelong in 2018, shortly after hemp seed was approved for human consumption in Australia and New Zealand.
AIHC has since developed into an important meeting place for Australia's growing industrial hemp sector.
The 2026 conference will be the fifth Australian Industrial Hemp Conference.
What's on at AIHC 2026?
The 2026 programme covers a particularly broad range of industrial hemp applications.
Hemp building and construction
Hemp construction is a major focus of the 2026 programme.
Presentations and discussions will explore areas including:
whole hemp housing
hemp-based building materials
hemp composites
prefabricated hemp building systems
hemp blocks
hemp housing life-cycle analysis
design and sustainability
testing and development of new hemp materials
The programme includes representatives from industry, CSIRO, Deakin University and other research organisations working on the future of natural and low-carbon building materials.
Hemp fibre, textiles and processing
Australia has considerable potential to develop industrial hemp fibre supply chains.
AIHC 2026 will examine developments in areas including:
hemp fibre testing
advanced fibre manufacturing
natural textiles
fibre processing
hemp ginning
working with processors
Australian hemp export opportunities
natural fibre markets
The conference provides an opportunity to look beyond growing hemp and examine the infrastructure and markets required to turn Australian-grown hemp into commercially valuable products.
Hemp genetics and growing
For growers and those considering entering the industry, the conference programme includes discussions around:
new hemp varieties
genetics
industrial hemp variety trials
growing hemp for grain
winter cropping
agricultural production systems
environmental performance
life-cycle assessment of hemp cropping systems
The development of varieties suited to different Australian growing regions remains an important part of expanding the industry.
Policy, regulation and the future of Australian hemp
AIHC 2026 will also look at the policy environment surrounding industrial hemp.
Sessions are expected to cover Federal and State developments, industry inquiries, international hemp production and trade, and the steps required to build stronger Australian hemp supply chains.
Representatives from industry organisations, research institutions and government-related initiatives will contribute to the discussion.
The final conference session will focus on a particularly important question:
Where does the Australian industrial hemp industry go next?
AIHC 2026 speakers
The programme includes speakers and contributors from Australian and international hemp businesses, universities, research organisations and industry groups.
Presenters currently announced include people working across hemp construction, agriculture, textiles, manufacturing, genetics, processing, policy and research.
Among the announced contributors are representatives associated with:
CSIRO
Deakin University
La Trobe University
Southern Cross University
Australian Hemp Council
iHemp NSW
X-Hemp
Hemp Collective
Murray Industrial Hemp
Australian Hemp Masonry
Good Country Hemp
Rubisco New Zealand
HempGenTech
Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong
The programme also includes sustainability entrepreneur Joost Bakker, who will discuss his work involving natural materials and his milestone house project for Zac Efron.
For the latest speaker list and programme, visit the official Australian Industrial Hemp Conference website.
AIHC 2026 programme
Monday 21 September
The conference opens in the evening with registration and the Green Carpet Meet & Greet.
Tuesday 22 September
The first full conference day has a strong focus on materials, construction, fibre and processing.
Sessions include industrial hemp materials, housing, building products, fibre testing, advanced fibres and processing.
An evening hemp cooking demonstration is also included in the programme.
Wednesday 23 September
The second conference day turns toward policy, international trade, genetics, cropping systems, variety development and the future direction of Australia's industrial hemp industry.
The conference concludes at approximately 5pm, followed by the Gala Dinner.
Thursday 24 September — Optional site visits
Optional site visits are planned for Thursday and currently include research and fibre facilities along with a hemp home visit.
These visits are separate from the main conference registration.
Why attend the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference?
Industrial hemp is unusual because a single crop can feed into many different industries.
Potential markets include:
Food
Hemp seed, hemp seed oil, protein, flour and other food ingredients.
Construction
Hemp-lime construction, insulation, blocks, panels and other low-carbon materials.
Fibre and textiles
Natural fibres for clothing, technical textiles, composites and manufacturing.
Agriculture
A rotational broadacre crop with grain, fibre and dual-purpose opportunities.
Advanced manufacturing
Biocomposites, packaging, engineered materials and emerging bio-based products.
Building viable industries around these products requires much more than simply growing hemp.
Growers need processors. Processors need reliable markets. Manufacturers need consistent raw materials. Researchers need commercial partners. Regulators need good industry information.
That is why bringing the different parts of the industry together is so important.
Victoria and the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference
Victoria has a special connection with the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference.
The inaugural Australian Industrial Hemp Conference was held in Geelong in 2018 and hosted by the Industrial Hemp Association of Victoria.
The industry has changed considerably since then.
Research has expanded, new processing businesses have emerged, hemp construction has continued to develop and there is increasing interest in creating Australian supply chains for hemp fibre, food, construction materials and advanced manufacturing.
Bringing AIHC back to Geelong in 2026 provides an opportunity to look at how far the industry has come — and what is still needed to establish industrial hemp as a significant Australian agricultural and manufacturing industry.
The Victorian Hemp Association is committed to helping growers, businesses, researchers and the broader community build that future.
Australian Industrial Hemp Conference tickets
The standard AIHC 2026 conference fee is currently:
Conference registration: $700 + GST
Additional charges apply for the Gala Dinner and optional site visits.
Discounted student registration is also available through the conference organisers.
For current prices, availability and booking conditions, always check the official conference website before purchasing.
Get 20% off AIHC 2026 tickets with VHA membership
If you're planning to attend the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference, becoming a Victorian Hemp Association member could save you considerably more than the cost of membership.
VHA members are eligible for the 20% State Association member discount on the AIHC 2026 conference fee.
At the current $770 including GST conference price:
Standard conference fee: $770
20% member discount: $154
Approximate discounted conference fee: $616
To obtain your VHA member discount code, contact:
info@victorianhempassociation.org.au
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference 2026?
The Australian Industrial Hemp Conference runs from 21 to 23 September 2026 in Geelong, Victoria. Optional industry site visits are planned for 24 September.
Where is AIHC 2026 being held?
The official AIHC programme currently lists the Rydges Geelong Events Centre in Geelong, Victoria as the conference venue.
How much are Australian Industrial Hemp Conference tickets?
The standard AIHC 2026 conference registration fee is currently $700 + GST, or $770 including GST. Additional charges apply to activities such as the Gala Dinner and optional site visits.
Is there an AIHC 2026 discount code?
Yes. Members of recognised State industrial hemp associations are eligible for a 20% discount on the conference fee. Victorian Hemp Association members can contact the VHA to obtain their member discount code.
How much do VHA members save?
Based on the current $770 including GST conference fee, a 20% discount represents a saving of approximately $154, reducing the conference fee to approximately $616 including GST.
Can I join the VHA to receive the conference discount?
If you are interested in becoming part of Victoria's industrial hemp community, you can join the Victorian Hemp Association. Contact us if you have any questions about membership or obtaining the AIHC member discount.
Who should attend AIHC 2026?
The conference is relevant to hemp growers, prospective growers, processors, manufacturers, researchers, builders, architects, food businesses, policymakers, investors and anyone professionally involved in Australia's industrial hemp industry.
What will be discussed at AIHC 2026?
Topics include hemp construction and building materials, fibre and textiles, processing, genetics, grain production, cropping systems, research, environmental performance, government policy, international trade and future opportunities for the Australian hemp industry.
Is there a hemp building component?
Yes. Hemp construction and materials feature prominently in the 2026 programme, including hemp housing, composites, prefabricated systems, building products, fibre testing and life-cycle analysis.
Where can I see the full AIHC programme?
The latest programme, speakers, booking information and conference updates are available from the official Australian Industrial Hemp Conference website.
Growing Together
Australia's industrial hemp sector is still developing.
Its future will depend on creating commercially viable connections between agriculture, processing, research, manufacturing and markets.
The Australian Industrial Hemp Conference 2026 provides an opportunity for the people working across those areas to meet, exchange knowledge and help determine what comes next.
We look forward to seeing the Australian hemp industry back together in Geelong from 21–23 September 2026.
VHA member?
Contact us to receive your 20% AIHC conference discount code.
info@victorianhempassociation.org.au
Not a VHA member?
Join the Victorian Hemp Association and become part of Victoria's growing industrial hemp community.
21 - 23 September 2026
Location - Rydges Geelong Events Centre
Geelong, Victoria
HEMP EVENTS IN VICTORIA AND AROUND AUSTRALIA
The VHA promotes and attends Hemp events both in Victoria, and around Australia to maintain a constant connection with the industry for today, and into the future.
HEMP HOUSE OPEN DAY
Back to the Hemp Home: Catching Up with Carolyn and Rod Gale
We're lucky to know a great couple, Carolyn and Rod Gale, and we're looking forward to spending some time with them again.
About 12 months ago, our Vice President, Sherri Smith-Hoyer, sat down with Carolyn just before their hemp home was completed. It's a lovely conversation — have a watch here:
2nd August2026
Location - Murchison, Victoria
Well, 12 months have flown by, and we're heading back to see how the home — and the Gales — are settling in. You're warmly invited to come along, explore the space, ask questions, and get a feel for what living in a hemp home is really like.
When: Sunday 2nd August 2026, 10am – 2pm
Where: Address provided upon registration
Entry: Gold coin donation
Spots will be limited, so register below to secure your place — we'll send the address through by email ahead of the day.
HEMP EVENTS IN VICTORIA AND AROUND AUSTRALIA
The VHA promotes and attends Hemp events both in Victoria, and around Australia to maintain a constant connection with the industry for today, and into the future.
HEMP GROWER LICENSING WEBINAR
If you have an interest in growing an industrial hemp crop in Victoria, read on.
The VHA is teaming up with Shane Herbertson from Ag Vic at 4pm on Wednesday the 20th of May for a licensing webinar that will run through the licensing process to give you a clear understanding of what is and what is not required to successfully submit an Application for Authority to Cultivate and Process Low-THC Cannabis (Industrial Hemp).
You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, and the outlook for this event is to give you enough information to be confident in taking your next step towards your first crop.