Senate Hemp Industry 14 Recommendations

A full rundown of the Senate hemp industry recommendations from the 2026 inquiry report

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee has released its long-awaited report, Opportunities for the development of a hemp industry in Australia, and the Senate hemp industry recommendations set out a clear roadmap for cutting red tape, backing construction uses, and giving the sector room to grow. Below is the full list of all 14 recommendations.

The 14 recommendations

1. Actively consider the downstream implications of a Commonwealth legislative definition of industrial hemp as Cannabis sativa with less than 1% total THC.
2. Progress the review of 2025 UN International Narcotics Control Board advice, with a view to reducing hemp industry licencing obligations.
3. Task relevant Commonwealth agencies with reducing and simplifying regulatory burden, including streamlining licence applications across jurisdictions.
4. Amend the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1956 to remove the export licence requirement for hemp food products.
5. Have the APVMA clarify and simplify the process for hemp products to be declared ‘excluded nutritional or digestive products’.
6. Facilitate recognition of state and territory hemp licences across all jurisdictions via National Cabinet.
7. Have the Department of Finance explicitly consider hemp-based products in government procurement policy.
8. Establish a taskforce to develop a national hemp framework harmonising regulations nationally.
9. Have the Australian Building Codes Board develop a standard under the Building Code of Australia for hemp-based construction products.
10. Support formal testing to establish fire ratings for hemp-based construction products.
11. Conduct formal measurement of the carbon carrying capacity of hemp-based construction products.
12. Establish a taskforce to standardise hemp building materials and recognise hempcrete in the National Construction Code.
13. Have AgriFutures Australia establish a new industrial hemp R&D plan covering plant breeding, processing infrastructure and the supply chain.
14. Have payment providers, advertisers and online platforms recognise hemp businesses as legitimate and legal.

Further reading

• Full committee report – Parliament of Australia
• Australian Hemp Council – Report
• HempToday – Article
• Hemp Building Directory – Senate Enquiry Recommendations for Hemp Construction article

FAQ

How many recommendations are in the Senate hemp industry report? 14, covering regulation, licensing, exports, procurement, R&D and construction.

Which recommendations relate to hemp construction? Recommendations 9 to 12, covering a Building Code of Australia standard, fire rating testing, carbon carrying capacity measurement, and recognition of hempcrete in the National Construction Code.

Where can I read the full Senate report? The full report is available on the Parliament of Australia website, linked above.