Australia’s largest conference and exhibition focused on the future of learning and teaching across K–12, higher education and VET gets underway in Sydney this week, with three new streams spotlighting creativity, post-AI learning and the future of education.
Running from 3–4 June, EduTECH 2026 will introduce Creativity and Critical Thinking; Learning Futures, which explores teaching in a post-AI world and the future direction of education systems; and ConnectedED, a free stream centred on small, peer-led roundtable discussions.
Unlike traditional conference sessions, ConnectedED is designed to foster open conversations rather than presentations, giving educators a space to share practical insights, challenges and lessons learned. The initiative forms part of EduTECH’s broader push to break down barriers and make high-quality professional learning more accessible.
The exhibition is also growing its Tech Buyers Program in 2026 by bringing in more CIOs, IT leaders and procurement teams. There will also be more structure around 1:1 meetings.
In 2025, EduTECH saw over 46,000 connections and 300+ meetings. Natalie McClelland, the Marketing Manager at EduTECH's parent company Terrapinn, said the focus this year is to make EDUtech "a place where real buying decisions happen."
"On partnerships, EduTECH has expanded the ecosystem to include Study NSW, NSW Department of Education, TAFE NSW, Institute of Applied Technology, Digital Skills Compact and the Future Skills Organisation," McClelland told The Educator. "Other organisations attending include MITIE, CENet, ACER, QLD and WA Departments of Education, NSIP and ST4S."
McClelland said it is "a much stronger whole-of-system story this year," especially around skills and workforce.
"We are also continuing our work with The Smith Family," McClelland said. "On the international side, we are building out the delegations program."
McClelland said there will be more structure, more support and clearer ways for global visitors to engage.
"This is where we see strong alignment with Study NSW," she said. "We are also adding market overview content that looks across schools, TAFE and higher education."
McClelland said this helps both local and global audiences understand where the sector is going and where investment is happening.
"On the experience side, one key change is networking," she said. "We have moved away from standard in-hall drinks. Instead, we are launching the EDUtech Block Party just outside ICC, across Fratelli Fresh and Harajuku Beer Stadium."
McClelland said the aim is to create a more relaxed and social setting where people can connect more easily.
"Finally, we have a strong mix of global and local speakers this year," she said.
"This includes Headliners Andy Hargreaves, Jason Reynolds, Jason Lodge, Rose Luckin and Dr Sarah McKay, along with speakers from the US, UK and Canada."
For more information about EduTECH 2026, click here.