The history and system of growing cotton in Australia is described. In general, the same chemicals and machinery are used in Australia as in the USA. Highlights from research into cotton breeding, pest management and soil management are summarized. Cotton breeders have produced many locally adapted varieties in the past ten years. About 80% of crop area is now occupied by Australian varieties with okra leaf types predominating. These combine high yield and quality with bacterial blight resistance and tolerance to Insect pest attack. The Insecticide Resistance Management Strategy with its 100% commercial adoption, limits the use of pyrethroids to a 35-day period during flowering and thereby aims to maintain chemical effectiveness by slowing the rate of increase in pesticide resistance.