AusPet Industry Expo 2026 Registrations Now Open for Sydney Event

AusPet Industry Expo 2026 returns to Sydney on 2–3 September at the Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park, with free registration now open for verified pet-industry professionals, including groomers, retailers, veterinarians, and service providers. Updated 21 July 2026.

The Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) runs the show. AusGroom, the national grooming competition, sits alongside the expo floor. General public entry is not available. This is a trade event, not a weekend pet fair.

What the floor is for

Exhibitors typically cover pet food, grooming equipment, veterinary products, retail tech, training tools, and accessories. The 2026 Hordern date is the second major industry gathering of the year after Melbourne trade shows earlier in 2026. Two days, 9am–5pm unless the official program says otherwise, no ticket fee once you’re registered.

You’ll need a business name, ABN, role, professional credentials, and contact details. Register on the PIAA site or the official AusPet portal. Early registration is how you get program updates. Don’t turn up without a confirmation and expect to argue at the door.

AusGroom beside the aisles

AusGroom is Australia’s national dog grooming competition, held at AusPet. Categories in recent years have included breed-specific work (poodles, bichons, cocker spaniels), creative colour, hand stripping, salon styling, and timed speed rounds. Competitors come from across Australia and sometimes New Zealand and Asia. Winners often go on to international rings. We will not invent a 2026 champion here.

If you groom for a living, watching a judged poodle class teaches more than a catalogue. If you own a pet salon, that’s why you register as trade, not why you bring the shop dog.

Who should bother registering

• Dog and cat groomers, including mobiles
• Pet shop owners and staff
• Veterinary clinics
• Wholesalers and distributors
• Trainers, sitters, and boarding operators
• Industry students and educators

The trade-only rule lets suppliers talk wholesale and partnerships without a retail queue. That’s the point. If you’re a pet owner looking for a Sunday bath, this is the wrong building. Use the groomer directory instead.

Getting there, and what to do with two days

Hordern Pavilion sits in Moore Park, next to the SCG. Buses and light rail serve nearby stops. Parking is limited. Groomers usually come for new dryers and tables, bulk pricing, peer talk, AusGroom rings, and any business seminars on the program. PIAA members also use the week for policy catch-ups. Membership is a separate product from a free trade pass.

The expo has run for more than two decades, rotating cities. Previous years drew thousands of trade visitors. Follow PIAA and Pet News Australia for exhibitor lists and seminar grids as they lock. If you’re already going, the PIAA Pet Industry Awards are presented at the same expo; see our nominations note for that track.

Frequently Asked Questions