Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) will become the first event to host an annual, organised showcase of resort collections.
The event will shift from its focus on spring/summer collections in April.
Designers will now showcase resort collections from May 15 - 21.
The decision was made in collaboration with local industry leaders, designers and the NSW Government.
The schedule will include the region’s biggest names in fashion working to further establish Sydney as a global fashion capital.
Designer Dion Lee said he welcomed the decision.
"MBFWA will now sit within a sales period for our business, which was a missed opportunity in the past.
"The April date has been too late to take fall/winter orders and too early to present resort.
"The change in dates will allow us to launch our Resort collection in Sydney during the beginning of the global sales window for this collection."
With an increasing percentage of global retail budgets allocated to resort, these collections present a large business opportunity for export.
Resort collections are trans-seasonal in nature and see up to a six month retail life in the Asia Pacific market.
In addition, fashion and lifestyle media are increasingly dedicating more resources to cover Resort.
Parlour X director and buyer Eva Galambos also welcomed the change.
"The global fashion industry is relatively regulated according to an international schedule.
"It is time that Australia moves forward, pioneering a unique offering that reflects our fashion identity.
"Australian designers’ ability to present Resort offers both local and international buyers the most relevant and desired collection on the calendar.
"This means that these collections have a longer sell through period and shelf life, allowing for greater profits and commercial viability."
Organiser IMG said the date change will also have strategic benefits for the market.
"The Australian fashion industry is valued at $12 billion, with TCF&L products contributing about $3 billion to Australia’s total export," IMG executive Catherine Bennett said.
"Many Australian designers who export are currently producing southern and northern hemisphere collections simultaneously, resulting in up to five seasonal collections each year.
"Resort collections present a unique offering, as it is the only season where northern and southern hemisphere buying calendars align.
"With the support of the fashion industry, we look forward to launching Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia as the world’s first Resort event in May 2016."