2025 Hunter Defence Conference

The 2025 Hunter Defence Conference is now open for registration.

Returning to the Hunter Valley in August, this nationally recognised event will bring together over 220 defence, industry, and government leaders to explore the forces reshaping Australia’s strategic future.

This year’s theme – The Changing Nature of Warfare – will examine the new era of scalable, low-cost, disposable, integrated, fast-moving, and unconventional conflict. The agenda focuses on the convergence between ADF strategy, acquisition and support intent, and the Australian commercial defence sector’s critical enabling role.

Key Agenda Areas Include:
• Australia’s evolving role in global defence collaboration and security partnerships
• Impacts of AUKUS on policy, capability, and workforce
• SME opportunities in Defence Infrastructure and Regional Precincts
• Workforce development and the future Defence talent pipeline
• Prime and SME collaboration across sovereign capability
• Emerging technologies: AI, autonomous systems, and advanced surveillance
• Geopolitical change and strategic defence implications

Speaker Line-Up Includes:
• Senior ADF Capability representatives
• Major General (Ret'd) Mick Ryan
• Strategic Analyst Michael Shoebridge
• Defence Prime Executives and CEOs
• The Hon Pat Conroy MP – speaking at the Gala Dinner

This is the single conference where senior leaders from Defence Primes, ADF and government engage with industry in a structured and facilitated small-group networking environment.

Event Details:

Dates: 20–21 August 2025
Location: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

Tickets:
• $1,190 + GST – Member
• $1,290 + GST – Non-Member
• $220 + GST – Gala Dinner Only (limited availability)

Terms & Conditions:
• Conference packages include morning tea, lunch, Wednesday evening cocktail event and Thursday Gala Dinner
• Excludes accommodation
• Tickets are non-refundable but transferrable
• “Member” = Any Hunter Defence Key Stakeholder (RDA Hunter, HunterNet, Business Hunter, AIG, AIDN, ICN NSW, HDSN, University of Newcastle, TAFE NSW, AMGC, NSW Government)