Australia’s medical technology sector will take centre stage in May when AusBiotech brings its flagship AusMedtech conference to Perth for the first time.
It is a milestone event that also coincides with the organisation’s 40th anniversary.
Details of the AusMedtech 2026 program were released this week, revealing the first wave of speakers and setting the tone for a conference designed to address the capital, capability and commercialisation challenges shaping the nation’s medtech future. The event will run from 19–21 May and is expected to draw innovators, clinicians, investors, government leaders and industry executives from across Australia and overseas.
Australia’s medtech industry now includes more than 900 companies and continues to play an increasingly influential role within the broader biotech ecosystem. Beyond improving patient outcomes, the sector is viewed as a growing engine of economic development, sovereign capability and health system sustainability.
The conference will be officially opened by Western Australia’s Minister for Science and Innovation and Medical Research, Stephen Dawson, who highlighted the opportunity for the state to showcase its expanding health innovation landscape.
With Perth hosting the event for the first time, Dawson noted that the city is well-positioned to showcase its local strengths while fostering new collaboration within the national and international medtech community. The WA Government, he said, remains committed to supporting innovation and growth in the sector.
AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy said the 2026 program reflects both the maturity and the ambition of Australia’s medtech industry. She emphasised that the conference aims to spark conversations spanning the full innovation pipeline, from research and manufacturing through to regulation, procurement and market adoption.
Among the initial confirmed speakers are PinPrint co-founder and CEO Renee Ryan, global biodesign leader Dr Josh Makower, Wesfarmers executive director Kate Munnings, WA Chief Scientist Professor Sharath Sriram, OrthoCell CEO Paul Anderson, VeinTech CEO Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo and Maymatob CEO Tara Croft. Additional sessions, including the Early-Stage Innovation Forum, will be announced in the coming weeks.
The choice of Perth as host city reflects Western Australia’s growing reputation as an innovation hub, supported by strong clinical research capability, commercialisation infrastructure and increasing investment momentum. Its geographic proximity to Asia is also expected to strengthen international engagement, positioning the conference as a gateway between Australian medtech and global markets.
Cassidy said the gathering comes at a pivotal time for the sector, when collaboration, agility and competitiveness are becoming critical to success.