Not necessarily. TALGA full membership is open to individuals who are currently growing lavender or considering growing it commercially in Australia. This includes small-scale and broadacre growers, propagators, distillers, producers, and prospective growers. For more information visit Join TALGA
There are multiple benefits of TALGA membership:
• Regular publication of ENewsletter to inform and engage members with research updates, best practice education, sharing member farm news, grant opportunities and event promotions.
• Regular member-only educational webinars conducted live and recorded for future reference.
• Annual in-person events organised at various locations around Australia, alternating either major conference or field day event. Members receive discount fees to these events.
• Biennial Olfactory Oil Competition for multiple categories of lavender essential oil.
• Biennial printed full colour Journal containing transcripts of conference presentations and articles of interest to growers. This publication is included in the full membership of TALGA.
• Full voting rights to the Association and eligible for one committee position nomination.
• Audio and video recordings of past-conference sessions for purchase at discount rates
• Regular publication of ENewsletter to inform and engage members with research updates, best practice education, sharing member farm news, grant opportunities and event promotions.
• Regular member-only educational webinars conducted live and recorded for future reference.
• Annual in-person events organised at various locations around Australia, alternating either major conference or field day event. Members receive discount fees to these events.
• Biennial Olfactory Oil Competition for multiple categories of lavender essential oil.
• Biennial printed full colour Journal containing transcripts of conference presentations and articles of interest to growers. This publication is included in the full membership of TALGA.
• Full voting rights to the Association and eligible for one committee position nomination.
• Audio and video recordings of past-conference sessions for purchase at discount rates
Starting a lavender farm begins with choosing the right location—lavender thrives in well-drained soil, full sun, and low humidity. You'll need to select suitable varieties for your climate and research what to do with the flowers, eg. distill for essential oil, dry and strip for buds or plant purely for ornamental enjoyment. Further down the research track you should test your soil, plan cultivation methods and weed control. Many growers begin on a small scale to learn the ropes before expanding. TALGA membership offers resources, networking opportunities, and mentorship to help you get started.
Australia’s diverse climate zones mean there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it really depends on where you’re growing. For commercial production, popular varieties include cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia (commonly known as English lavender) and Lavandula x intermedia (lavandin). These are favoured for their high-quality essential oils and fragrant dried buds.
For ornamental gardens, Lavandula dentata (French lavender) and Lavandula stoechas (Italian or Spanish lavender) are widely grown for their showy flowers and long flowering season but are not considered suitable for essential oil.
Your ideal variety will depend on your climate, soil conditions, and how you plan to use the crop—whether for oil distillation, dried flower production, culinary use, or simply for visual appeal. TALGA members are a great resource to learn what works best in your region.
We recommend you take the time and visit farms, as a member of the paying public, to see what others do, many farms conduct tours which will show you behind the scenes.
This will help you form your own opinions on what works and what doesn’t, what you might be able to do and what is beyond your capabilities.
However, many aspects of the lavender business will be commercial in confidence, so be understanding of this and lower your expectations of the farms to share their in-depth information with you.
TALGA hosts in-person field days, conferences, and online forums where you can meet growers, ask questions, and see firsthand what’s involved in lavender farming. For information on current event see News & Events
Lavender can be profitable, but like any crop, success depends on good planning, product diversification, and market access. The demand for lavender and its products, including oil and dried flowers, is increasing, and there's room for growth in the Australian market. Many growers add value by producing essential oils, skincare products, or running agritourism businesses. TALGA provides information and support to help members build sustainable and viable lavender enterprises. For more information visit Lavender Industry