Major Tournaments

For Australian university debaters, there are four annual competitions that enable students from across the country and beyond to compete against each other in teams representing their institutions. Known as 'Majors', these tournaments span over several days and draw significant numbers of participants. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to put their skills to the test and make friends in a competitive and exciting atmosphere.

Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships

The Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships, known colloquially as 'Easters', is a 'Pro-Am' tournament in the 3v3 debating format. Hosted by a different Australian university around Easter each year, this tournament provides new students the opportunity to experience competitive university debating, with a novice quota of at least 2 debaters per team.

In 2017, the ANU Debating Society had three teams compete in the finals, and were Grand Finalists, with one of our members, Dominic Guinane, receiving the award for Best Speaker.

In 2018, Easters is being held in Sydney by the University of Sydney.

Australasian Intervarsity Debating Champsionships

The Australasian Intervaristy Debating Championships, known colloquially as 'Australs', is a tournament in the 'Australs' debating format (3v3 with replies). This tournament is held by a different Australasian university during the June/July period each year, and enables students to compete with the best debaters and adjudicators the region has to offer.

In 2017, the ANU Debating Society won the Championship, with one of our members, Dominic Guinane, receiving the award for Best Speaker.

In 2018, Australs is being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by the University of Malaya.

Australasian Wom*n's Debating Championships

The Australasian Wom*n's Debating Champsionships, known colloquially as 'Wom*n's', is a 'Pro-Am' tournament in the British Parliamentary debating format. Held annually around September across Australasia, this tournament provides an opportunity for non cis-men to compete in an autonomous environment, and has a novice quota of at least 1 debater per team.

In 2017, the ANU Debating society were Quarter Finalists.

In 2018, Wom*n's is being held in Dunedin, New Zealand, by the University of Otago.

World Universities Debating Championship

The World Universities Debating Championship, known colloquially as 'World's', is the largest debating tournament in the world, and is in the British Parliamentary debating format. Hosted annually over the new year, and consisting of 9 preliminary rounds and 5 finals, World's provides students the opportunity to compete at the highest level of debating.

In 2018, The ANU Debating Society were Octo Finalists.

In 2019, World's is being held in Cape Town, South Africa.