AusMedtech 2026 brought record-breaking energy to Perth, with more than 550 delegates from Australia and around the world converging for the largest conference to date. Western Australia made a powerful impression throughout the week, showcasing our biomedical ecosystem and reinforcing our growing reputation as a destination for global medtech collaboration.
Major announcements and milestones underscored the timing and significance of the conference. Minister Dawson announced the new Perth Children’s Trials Centre at Perth Children’s Hospital and four years of renewed funding for the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, adding to a strong pipeline of developments including new funding for the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Earflo’s US launch following FDA approval, and Neurotologix securing TGA approval.
Team WA was out in force across the week, from panels and networking sessions to the exhibition floor and the bustling WA booth, which was a central hub for connection and conversation.
Support for innovation was a key theme, with the WA Government backing local early-stage startups to showcase through Startup Alley, and WALSIH sponsoring a cohort of clinician innovators to attend and grow their networks. Additional satellite events, including the Perth Biodesign Innovation Showcase & 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner, and Innovate Medtech Masterclasses, leveraged the conference to support and celebrate the sector’s momentum.
WA innovation success was also recognised on the national stage, with Earflo winning the Early-Stage Innovation Forum (what a week they have had!). Across the program, WA leaders played a strong role, with WALSIH Directors Dr Tracey Wilkinson and Professor Kevin Pfleger both contributing to the planning committee and featured as speakers.
Pre-conference ecosystem tours and ongoing meetings reinforced global interest in WA, with a clear message emerging: the world wants to do business in Australia, and increasingly, in WA. WALSIH partnered with WA Government to deliver the WA Innovation Ecosystem Tour, which showcased investments from the state government into infrastructure and capabilities, and a visit to the QEII Medical Precinct to introduce delegates to some of our leading WA startups. Biotome, Lubdub.ai, VeinTech, VitalTrace, Corametix and OncoRes Medical all showed off their products and highlighted WA capability.
The conference closed on a high, with an animated discussion about the intersection of medtech and space, an area where WA’s strengths in remote operations, genomics and advanced industries offer unique opportunities.
With continuing investment in infrastructure and capabilities (including WALSIH), strong collaboration, growing international interest and a robust pipeline of start-ups, WA’s medtech ecosystem is entering an exciting new phase. What a week!
