Hemp
Hemp in Australia: The Complete Guide to a Versatile Plant
May
By the Krush Editorial Team. Reviewed by Krush Healthcare Professionals. Last updated July 2026.
Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated plants on earth, with archaeological evidence of use dating back more than 10,000 years across multiple ancient civilisations. In modern Australia, hemp sits at the intersection of agriculture, food, wellness, and industrial manufacturing, with each application drawing on different parts of the plant and different processing methods. This guide walks through what hemp actually is, how it differs from marijuana, its legal position in Australia, and the range of hemp products currently available across the market.
What is hemp
Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that contains 0.3 percent or less of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis. This low-THC threshold is what distinguishes hemp from marijuana at both a legal and a practical level. Hemp does not produce intoxication because its THC content sits below the level required for a psychoactive effect.
The hemp plant grows fast, matures within 100 to 120 days depending on the strain and growing conditions, and produces material across four commercial categories: fibre (from the stalk), seed (harvested from the female plant), flower (containing cannabinoids and terpenes), and biomass (the whole-plant material used for extraction).
Hemp cultivation in Australia is licensed under state-based industrial hemp regulations. Growers require a licence from their state or territory agriculture authority, and the finished crop must be tested to confirm THC content stays below the legal threshold. Once verified, hemp material can be legally processed into a wide range of products.
Hemp versus marijuana: the same species, different plants
Hemp and marijuana are both varieties of Cannabis sativa, which means they belong to the same species but represent different cultivars bred for very different purposes.
Marijuana cultivars have been selected over generations for high THC content, typically 10 to 30 percent by dry weight. The plant is grown primarily for its flower (buds), which concentrates the psychoactive cannabinoids. Marijuana is illegal for recreational use in every Australian state and territory except the ACT, and legal for medicinal use only through the medicinal cannabis prescription pathway.
Hemp cultivars have been selected for fibre yield, seed production, and low THC content, typically 0.3 percent or less. The plant tends to grow taller and thinner than marijuana, with less flower mass and more stalk material. Hemp cultivation is legal at the industrial scale across Australia under state licensing.
The visible physical differences reflect the different breeding priorities. Marijuana plants tend to be shorter and bushier with dense flower clusters, while hemp plants are typically tall and slender with more stem and less flower. Chemically, the ratio of THC to CBD is the defining difference. Marijuana is typically THC-dominant; hemp is CBD-dominant with negligible THC.
Confusion between the two is common in everyday conversation, and Australian law treats them as fundamentally different substances. A product’s classification depends on its THC content, not on visual appearance or plant terminology.
The three types of cannabis plants
Cannabis sativa, which includes both hemp and marijuana varieties, is one of three recognised species within the Cannabis genus.
Cannabis sativa is the largest of the three, typically growing three metres or taller with elongated leaves and a long flowering cycle. This is the primary species cultivated for both industrial hemp and marijuana across most of the world.
Cannabis indica is shorter and bushier, typically one to two metres tall, with broader leaves and a shorter flowering cycle. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and central Asia, where it evolved in harsher conditions than sativa.
Cannabis ruderalis is the smallest of the three, typically 30 to 70 centimetres tall, and grows wild across parts of central Asia and eastern Europe. Ruderalis has very low cannabinoid content and is used primarily in modern breeding to introduce auto-flowering traits into hybrid cultivars.
Most commercial cannabis today, whether hemp or marijuana, is a hybrid of sativa and indica genetics, selected for specific traits like fibre yield, cannabinoid ratio, or cultivation efficiency.
What hemp is used for
The commercial applications of hemp span a wider range than most first-time buyers expect, with each application drawing on a different part of the plant.
Food. Hemp seed products including cold-pressed hemp seed oil, hemp protein powder, shelled hemp seeds (hemp hearts), and hemp milk are widely available across Australian supermarkets and health food stores. Food Standards Australia New Zealand approved low-THC hemp seed as a food ingredient in November 2017, and the category has grown steadily since. Hemp seed is nutritionally dense, providing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, complete plant protein, iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Wellness. Hemp-derived CBD products, extracted from the flower and leaf of the hemp plant, form the modern wellness category. This includes CBD oil tinctures, CBD gummies, topical creams, and pet-specific formulations. Australian consumers use hemp-derived CBD as a daily wellness supplement, typically for support around sleep quality, stress response, and general calm.
Textiles. Hemp fibre is one of the strongest natural fibres known and has been used to produce rope, canvas, and fabric for thousands of years. Modern hemp textiles include everything from denim-style clothing through to towels, sheets, and structural building materials.
Building. Hempcrete, a mix of hemp hurd (the woody inner stalk material) with lime binder, is used in construction for insulation and non-load-bearing walls. Hempcrete has excellent thermal properties, is fire-resistant, and is carbon-negative over its lifecycle because the hemp plant sequesters carbon during growth.
Paper. Hemp fibre produces high-quality paper with a longer natural life and higher tear resistance than conventional wood-pulp paper. Historically, hemp was the dominant paper source for much of human history until industrial timber operations displaced it.
Skincare. Hemp seed oil is used across the personal care category for its moisturising and skin-conditioning properties. The oil contains oleic and linoleic acids that support the skin’s natural lipid barrier.
Fuel and industrial materials. Hemp biomass can be processed into biodiesel, and hemp plastic composites are used in automotive interiors by manufacturers including Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
Growing hemp in Australia
Hemp cultivation in Australia sits under state-based industrial hemp legislation, with each state maintaining its own licensing regime. Interested growers must apply for a licence, which typically requires a background check, a nominated cultivar with verified low-THC genetics, and inspections during the growing cycle.
The plant grows well across most Australian climates. Hemp prefers warm conditions with adequate rainfall or irrigation, and the crop cycle from planting to harvest typically runs 100 to 120 days depending on the cultivar and end-use. Fibre and seed varieties are harvested at different stages, with fibre harvested earlier when the stalk is at peak strength and seed harvested later once the flowers have matured.
Soil preparation, water availability, and pest management follow standard agricultural practice. Hemp is generally more pest-resistant than many other crops, which reduces the need for chemical intervention.
Once harvested, the crop is tested to verify THC content stays below the legal threshold. Compliant material can be legally processed and sold. Non-compliant material must be destroyed under supervision.
Hemp-derived CBD products in Australia
The modern wellness category built around hemp is dominated by cannabidiol (CBD) products. Hemp-derived CBD, extracted from the flower and leaf of the plant rather than the seed, contains cannabidiol as the primary active compound.
CBD is used by many Australians as part of a daily wellness routine. Common reasons include support around sleep, general stress response, and everyday calm. Individual responses vary, and the effect profile depends on the specific product, dose, and the individual.
Three main product formats dominate the category. Full spectrum products contain the complete cannabinoid and terpene profile of the hemp plant, including trace THC below 0.3 percent. Broad spectrum products preserve the same range of cannabinoids but with the THC removed during processing. Isolate products contain purified cannabidiol with all other plant compounds removed.
Legal access to hemp-derived CBD in Australia does not require a prescription. Products sold under the hemp framework can be purchased online from established brands. This is distinct from medical CBD, which is prescribed through the medicinal cannabis pathway and dispensed through pharmacy.
Krush Organics operates in the hemp-derived category and offers full spectrum CBD oil, broad spectrum CBD oil, CBD isolate, CBD gummies at 100 mg per gummy, topical CBD cream, and a pet-specific CBD oil for dogs. Every product stays below the 0.3 percent THC threshold and every batch is third-party lab-tested.
Hemp seed versus hemp CBD: the label difference
Because both hemp seed products and hemp-derived CBD products use the word “hemp” on the label, confusion between the two is one of the most common issues Australian consumers encounter.
Hemp seed products are made from the seed of the plant and contain no cannabidiol. They are food-grade supplements providing omega fatty acids and plant protein. Products in this category include hemp seed oil (cold-pressed), hemp protein powder, and shelled hemp seed. These are widely available at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Coles, and Woolworths.
Hemp-derived CBD products are made from the flower and leaf of the plant and contain cannabidiol as the primary active compound. Products in this category include CBD oil tinctures, CBD gummies, and topical CBD creams. These are sold online by established hemp-derived CBD brands and are not typically stocked in mainstream Australian retail.
The label tell: hemp-derived CBD products always state a specific cannabidiol milligram figure per unit (e.g. 100 mg CBD per gummy, or 1000 mg CBD per 30 ml bottle). Hemp seed products list omega content, protein content, or hemp seed oil content but never a CBD milligram figure.
Frequently asked questions
Is hemp legal in Australia
Yes. Hemp cultivation has been legal in Australia since the 1990s under state-based industrial hemp legislation. Hemp seed products were approved as food ingredients by Food Standards Australia New Zealand in November 2017. Hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC are legal for direct-to-consumer sale online.
What is the difference between hemp and marijuana
Both are varieties of Cannabis sativa. Hemp contains less than 0.3 percent THC and does not produce intoxication. Marijuana contains higher THC levels (typically 10 to 30 percent) and does produce intoxication. The two varieties have been bred for different purposes: hemp for fibre and seed, marijuana for its psychoactive properties. Australian law treats the two as fundamentally different substances.
Can I grow hemp at home in Australia
Commercial hemp cultivation requires a state-issued industrial hemp licence in every Australian state and territory. Home cultivation of hemp is not permitted under most state licensing regimes. The ACT permits personal cannabis cultivation of up to two plants per person under its 2019 decriminalisation law, though the ACT law applies to cannabis generally rather than specifically to hemp.
What is hemp used for
Hemp has applications across food, wellness supplements, textiles, building materials, paper, skincare, biofuel, and industrial composites. The specific application depends on which part of the plant is used and how it is processed.
Does hemp make you high
No. Hemp contains less than 0.3 percent THC, which is well below the level required to produce a psychoactive effect. Hemp seed products contain no THC at all. Hemp-derived CBD products contain trace THC below the 0.3 percent threshold, which does not produce intoxication.
What are hemp seed benefits
Hemp seed is nutritionally dense, providing complete plant protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in a favourable ratio, iron, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. The seed is used across food, supplement, and skincare categories.
What is the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil
Hemp seed oil is cold-pressed from the seed of the hemp plant and contains no cannabidiol. It is a food-grade oil providing omega fatty acids. CBD oil is extracted from the flower and leaf of the same plant and contains cannabidiol as the primary active compound. Same species, different plant parts, entirely different active ingredients.
How long does hemp take to grow
The full growth cycle from planting to harvest typically runs 100 to 120 days depending on the cultivar and end-use. Fibre varieties are harvested earlier when the stalk is at peak strength. Seed varieties are harvested later after flowering. Cannabinoid-rich cultivars used for CBD extraction have their own timing based on peak cannabinoid content in the flower.
Sources and further reading
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), 2017 approval of low-THC hemp seed as a food ingredient
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Poisons Standard scheduling of cannabidiol
- Australian industrial hemp legislation, state-by-state licensing frameworks
- International Standards Organization, hemp product classification standards
This article is general information and is not medical advice. Individual responses to hemp-derived products vary. If you are considering CBD for a specific medical condition, please consult a healthcare professional.
Related reading: Is Weed Legal in Australia · Full Spectrum CBD Oil in Australia · Hemp Gummies in Australia
Sources and further reading
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Poisons Standard, Schedule 4 classification of cannabidiol
- Narcotic Drugs Amendment Act 2016 (Commonwealth), legalisation of medicinal cannabis
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), 2017 approval of low-THC hemp seed as a food ingredient
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), veterinary CBD regulatory framework
Please note: The information provided in this article is based on general research and is not intended to replace professional medical guidance. Always speak with a healthcare professional before using CBD products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition.