Returning for its third instalment, the Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit will bring together the brightest minds from Defence, government, industry, and academia to collaborate, challenge, and accelerate capability development to shape the future of Australia’s Defence innovation.

At its heart, ADSTAR explores The Art of the Possible – how creativity, collaboration, and scientific excellence can be harnessed to anticipate threats, seize opportunities, and deliver impact where it matters most.

Through an immersive program of keynote addresses, panel discussions, demonstrations, e-posters, workshops and exhibitions, ADSTAR connects early-stage research and real-world operational outcomes. It provides a world-class forum to engage directly with Defence’s highest priorities.

Summit themes

Under the theme Delivering More, Together, ADSTAR 2026 will explore the strategic lines of effort, from the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy:

• Anticipating the Future:
  How can we better forecast emerging threats and opportunities? This explores foresight, trends, and analysis to ensure Australia stays ahead of the curve.
• Experimentation:
  Innovation demands courage to test, trial, and sometimes fail fast. This spotlights experimentation as a driver of discovery turning creative ideas into practical solutions.
• Integrated Ecosystem
  Defence innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. This celebrates collaboration across Defence, government, academia, and industry building an ecosystem where partnerships accelerate capability.
• Mission Driven:
  Science and technology must deliver outcomes that matter. This focuses on aligning research and innovation to Defence missions, ensuring that every idea has a pathway to impact.

Get involved

Be part of the conversation that matters to help build a stronger, more resilient Australia.

• Access the pipeline: Meet Australia’s best innovators and researchers in one room.
• Targeted visibility: Connect with leaders from Defence, government, industry and academia to advance next generation capability.
• Drive outcomes: Better understand the Defence context and shape decisions.

Visit the ADSTAR 2026 website to:

• Register attendance, early bird pricing ends 15 May 2026.
• Submit an abstract for a workshop, oral presentation, or e-poster presentation.
• Explore exhibition and sponsorship opportunities.