Melbourne Tech Events & AI Conferences 2026

Your guide to Melbourne's technology scene—conferences, meetups, hackathons, and AI/ML events for developers, founders, and tech enthusiasts.

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Quick Facts

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Introduction

Melbourne has emerged as Australia's innovation capital, home to a thriving ecosystem of startups, scaleups, and tech giants. It punches above its weight in tech, and the calendar proves it.

The local tech community is notably collaborative—less cutthroat than Silicon Valley, more connected than most global hubs. Regular meetups, conferences, and informal gatherings create genuine opportunities to learn, network, and build. If you're also shipping, combine this with How to Ship AI Products Fast and the AI Agents Setup Guide.

This guide covers the key tech events happening in Melbourne in 2026, from major conferences to weekly meetups, with a special focus on AI and machine learning as the defining technology trend of the moment.

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Major Tech Conferences 2026

Web Directions Summit

When: October/November 2026 Where: Melbourne Convention Centre Cost: $800-1,500 Website: webdirections.org

Australia's premier web technology conference:

Focus Areas:

• Front-end development
• Web performance
• Accessibility
• Design systems
• Emerging web standards

Why Attend:

• International and local speakers
• Hands-on workshops
• Excellent networking
• High production quality

YOW! Melbourne

When: December 2026 Where: Melbourne Convention Centre Cost: $1,200-1,800 Website: yowconference.com

Enterprise and software development conference:

Focus Areas:

• Software architecture
• Engineering leadership
• Agile and DevOps
• Cloud infrastructure
• AI in enterprise

Why Attend:

• World-class keynote speakers
• Deep technical content
• Cross-discipline learning
• Strong community presence

Melbourne Knowledge Week

When: April/May 2026 Where: Various venues citywide Cost: Many free events Website: melbourne.vic.gov.au/mkw

City of Melbourne's innovation festival:

Focus Areas:

• Smart cities
• Sustainability tech
• Digital innovation
• Civic technology
• Future of work

Why Attend:

• Free events throughout the city
• Mix of technical and accessible content
• Government and industry collaboration
• Diverse programming

Pause Fest

When: February 2026 Where: Various venues Cost: $300-800 Website: pausefest.com.au

Creative technology and innovation festival:

Focus Areas:

• Design and creativity
• Emerging technology
• Startup ecosystem
• Creative industries
• Digital art and culture

Why Attend:

• Cross-pollination of tech and creative
• Startup pitch competitions
• Inspiring keynotes
• Festival atmosphere

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AI and Machine Learning Events

AI/ML Conferences

AI Summit Australia

• When: Mid-2026 (dates TBA)
• Focus: Enterprise AI, AI strategy, implementation
• Audience: C-suite, AI leaders, enterprise teams

Data Science Melbourne Annual Conference

• When: September/October 2026
• Focus: Practical data science, ML engineering
• Audience: Data scientists, ML engineers

Machine Learning Melbourne Symposium

• When: Various throughout year
• Focus: Research, applications, industry trends
• Audience: Researchers, practitioners

AI/ML Meetups

ML Melbourne Meetup

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 100-300
• Format: Presentations + networking
• Topics: Latest research, industry applications, tooling

Data Science Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 200-500
• Format: Talks + panel discussions
• Topics: Analytics, ML ops, career development

AI Product Meetup

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 50-150
• Focus: Building AI products, PM for AI
• Topics: Product strategy, user research, AI UX

LangChain Melbourne / AI Agents Meetup

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 50-100
• Focus: LLMs, AI agents, RAG systems
• Topics: Practical LLM applications, prompt engineering

AI Learning Opportunities

University Courses (Open to Public):

• Melbourne Uni: Various AI/ML courses
• Monash: Data Science programs
• RMIT: AI and machine learning

Bootcamps and Workshops:

• General Assembly: Data science bootcamps
• Academy Xi: AI and ML courses
• Various private workshops throughout the year

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Developer Meetups

Language-Specific

MelbJS (JavaScript)

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 150-300
• Venue: Rotating
• Vibe: Welcoming, diverse

Melbourne Ruby

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 50-100
• Venue: Various
• Vibe: Friendly, experienced community

Python Melbourne (MelbPy)

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 100-200
• Venue: Various
• Vibe: Practical, educational

Golang Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 50-100
• Focus: Go language ecosystem

Rust Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 30-80
• Focus: Systems programming, Rust ecosystem

TypeScript Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Attendance: 50-150
• Focus: TypeScript, tooling, best practices

Platform-Specific

AWS User Group Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: AWS services, cloud architecture

Azure Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: Microsoft Azure ecosystem

Google Cloud Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: GCP services and best practices

Kubernetes Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: Container orchestration, DevOps

Domain-Specific

Melbourne DevOps

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: CI/CD, infrastructure, SRE

InfoSec Melbourne / OWASP Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: Security, AppSec, compliance

Melbourne Mobile

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter

Melbourne Blockchain

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: Web3, DeFi, smart contracts

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Startup and Founder Events

Regular Events

Startup Victoria Events

• Frequency: Multiple monthly
• Types: Pitch nights, founder talks, workshops
• Website: startupvictoria.com.au

Stone & Chalk Melbourne

• Location: Collins Street
• Events: Regular talks, workshops, demos
• Focus: FinTech, RegTech, enterprise

LaunchVic Events

• Focus: Government-supported startup ecosystem
• Types: Programs, grants, networking

Pitch Competitions

Startup Victoria Pitch Night

• Frequency: Quarterly
• Format: 3-minute pitches, prizes
• Audience: Founders, investors, supporters

SBE Australia Pitch Competitions

• Focus: Female founders
• Events: Regional and national competitions

Accelerators and Programs

Startmate Melbourne

• Australia's leading accelerator
• Cohorts run multiple times per year
• Demo days open to ecosystem

Antler Australia

• Global VC and accelerator
• Regular demo days
• Focus on early-stage

Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP)

• University of Melbourne backed
• Annual program with demo day

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Hackathons

Major Annual Hackathons

GovHack

• When: August 2026
• Duration: 46 hours
• Focus: Open government data
• Teams: Open to all skill levels

HealthHack

• When: Variable
• Focus: Healthcare data and solutions
• Teams: Mixed technical and domain experts

She Hacks

• Focus: Women and non-binary participants
• Format: Weekend hackathon
• Supportive: Beginner-friendly

Sustainability Hackathons

• Multiple: Throughout the year
• Focus: Climate, environment, circular economy

Corporate Hackathons

Many Melbourne companies run internal and external hackathons:

• Banks (NAB, ANZ, CBA) run FinTech hackathons
• Telcos (Telstra) run connectivity challenges
• Government departments run civic tech events

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Co-working and Tech Hubs

Where Tech Happens

WeWork Locations

• Multiple CBD locations
• Events and networking
• Flexible membership

Inspire9

• Richmond location
• Strong community focus
• Regular events and talks

York Butter Factory

• CBD location
• Startup-focused
• Investment connections

Stone & Chalk

• Collins Street
• FinTech focus
• Corporate partnerships

ACMI X

• Fed Square location
• Creative tech focus
• Unique community

University Hubs

Melbourne Connect

• University of Melbourne precinct
• Innovation and research
• Regular public events

Monash Tech Precinct

• Clayton campus
• Research commercialisation
• Industry partnerships

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Women in Tech Events

Communities and Groups

Girl Geek Dinners Melbourne

• Frequency: Monthly
• Format: Dinner + speakers
• Focus: Networking, career development

Women in Tech Melbourne

• Events: Regular meetups and workshops
• Focus: Mentorship, skills, community

Code Like a Girl

• Events: Workshops, talks, networking
• Focus: Learning and career support

Mums in Tech

• Focus: Parents returning to or entering tech
• Events: Flexible scheduling, support network

Conferences

Women in Digital Business

• Annual conference
• Leadership and career focus

Tech Leading Ladies Summit

• Annual event
• Inspiring speakers and workshops

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How to Get Involved

Finding Events

Meetup.com

• Primary platform for tech meetups
• Search "Melbourne" + your interest
• RSVP and show up!

Eventbrite

• Conferences and larger events
• Filter by "Tech" and "Melbourne"

LinkedIn Events

• Growing event platform
• Professional networking focused

Twitter/X

• Follow local tech accounts
• Hashtags: #MelbTech #MelbourneTech

Making the Most of Events

1. Set Goals: Networking? Learning? Job hunting?
2. Arrive Early: Best conversations before talks
3. Ask Questions: Speakers appreciate engagement
4. Follow Up: Connect on LinkedIn within 48 hours
5. Give Back: Volunteer, speak, or help organise

Speaking Opportunities

Most meetups actively seek speakers:

• Start with lightning talks (5-10 minutes)
• Progress to full talks (20-45 minutes)
• Submit to CFPs (Call for Papers) for conferences
• Share your learning journey—not just expertise

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Tech Precincts to Explore

Cremorne (Richmond)

Melbourne's unofficial startup strip:

• MYOB headquarters
• Numerous startups
• Cafe culture
• Walking distance to CBD

Collingwood/Fitzroy

Creative tech crossover:

• Design agencies
• Creative studios
• Hip cafes for meetings
• Converted warehouses

CBD

Corporate and enterprise:

• Big tech offices (Google, Microsoft, AWS)
• Consulting firms
• Financial services tech
• Conference venues

Southbank

Education and innovation:

• Melbourne Convention Centre
• University presence
• Arts and tech crossover

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Calendar: Key 2026 Dates

Q1 (January-March)

• Pause Fest (February)
• New year meetup season kicks off
• Summer hackathons

Q2 (April-June)

• Melbourne Knowledge Week (April/May)
• Post-summer conference season
• Budget period for training approvals

Q3 (July-September)

• GovHack (August)
• Data Science Conference
• EOFY training budgets refreshed

Q4 (October-December)

• Web Directions Summit
• YOW! Conference
• End-of-year networking surge

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For Visitors and New Arrivals

Quick Integration

Week 1:

• Join 3-5 relevant Meetup groups
• Follow key Twitter/X accounts
• RSVP to upcoming events

Month 1:

• Attend 2-3 meetups
• Connect with speakers on LinkedIn
• Identify communities aligned with your interests

Quarter 1:

• Volunteer at an event
• Give a lightning talk
• Build genuine relationships

Melbourne Tech Culture

• Collaborative: People genuinely help each other
• Accessible: Senior people are approachable
• Casual: Dress code is relaxed
• Diverse: Multiple paths into tech respected
• Supportive: Beginner-friendly communities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are meetups free?

Most are free. Some charge a small fee ($10-20) for food or venue costs.

Do I need to be technical to attend?

Depends on the event. Many are beginner-friendly. Check descriptions.

How do I find a tech job in Melbourne?

Attend meetups, update LinkedIn, connect with recruiters, check Seek/LinkedIn/AngelList.

What's the AI/ML scene like?

Growing rapidly. Strong research base (unis), increasing industry adoption, active community.

Best way to meet founders?

Startup Victoria events, pitch nights, accelerator demo days, Stone & Chalk events.

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Resources

Newsletters

• Startup Victoria Newsletter: Weekly ecosystem updates
• LaunchVic Updates: Government programs and grants
• Tech Council of Australia: Policy and industry news

Podcasts

• The Startup Playbook: Australian founder stories
• Giant Thinkers: Melbourne-based tech interviews
• Equity Mates: Investing with tech focus

Media

• InnovationAus: Australian tech news
• Startup Daily: Ecosystem coverage
• AFR Tech: Business tech news

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Final Thoughts

Melbourne's tech scene thrives on participation. The conferences are excellent, but the real magic happens in monthly meetups, casual coffee chats, and the collaborative spirit that defines this community.

Whether you're a developer looking to level up, a founder seeking connections, or simply curious about technology, there's a place for you in Melbourne's tech ecosystem.

Show up. Ask questions. Contribute what you can.

The community is waiting.

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Related Content

Related Guides

• Melbourne Events Calendar 2026
• How to Ship AI Products Fast
• AI Agents Setup Guide

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Last updated: January 2026. Event dates subject to change. Check official websites for current information.