Growing Lavender in Australia: A Thriving Opportunity
Lavender is grown in every Australian state, showcasing its versatility across a wide range of climates and growing conditions. It’s a hardy crop—naturally resistant to drought, frost, and wind—and can often be grown without pesticides in Australian conditions. From Tasmania to Western Australia to Queensland, farms of all sizes are proving that lavender is a resilient and rewarding plant to grow. You can see the variety of growing regions across the country through our member listings.
While interest in lavender is growing, there’s still a lot to uncover about the industry’s potential. Currently, there's limited formal data collected on things like market value, production volumes, and trends. That’s why TALGA assisted researchers funded by Agrifutures to release the ‘Australian Lavender Industry RD&E Plan 2023-2028’ (download full text pdf here) —designed to guide future growth through better data, stronger strategies, and more support for growers at every stage.
What we do know is promising: there's significant demand for high-quality Australian lavender products, especially oil and hydrosol. Anecdotal reports and industry insights point to unmet export demand—estimated at over 50 tonnes of oil annually. With current local production falling short, this represents a major opportunity for both new and existing growers. When value-added products are included, the potential return on investment is even higher.
To make the most of this momentum, the industry needs more growers, better data collection, and shared knowledge of what will grow in a changing climate. TALGA is committed to helping growers succeed—by supporting best-practice farming, encouraging innovation and research, and building a stronger national network. Whether you're an experienced farmer looking to diversify or just starting your lavender journey, there’s room to grow—literally and financially—in this vibrant and fragrant industry.