Welcome to the DAV Website
The DAV is a non-profit association which exists to promote debate. It
is the peak debating body in Victoria and runs large competitions for
adults and for schools across Victoria. It provides training and
resources for debaters, teachers and adjudicators.
Partnerships
Climate Issues Debating Competition
When and Where: Friday 13th of March, 9:45am TO 2:45pm, Melbourne Museum 11 Nicholson St, Carlton.In this FREE partnership competition with Melbourne Museum, students from years 9-12 have the opportunity to debate contemporary issues across climate change legislation, biodiversity loss, energy transition, food systems and the circular economy. This competition will be an excellent opportunity for students to develop their knowledge of current challenges in sustainability.
This competition day, held on Friday 13 March, will consist of two preliminary rounds of debating and is open to students from Years 9 to 12. Resource materials for each topic will be provided before the competition.
The semi-finals and finals will take place on 27 March at the Climate Communication Masterclass event as an exhibition debate for student attendees who are there to learn about science communication.
Each school may enter one team of 4-6 speakers. It may be possible to enter a second team if capacity permits. If the competition reaches capacity, schools are encouraged to bring students who miss out to the Climate Communication Masterclass event, which they can book into via the Melbourne Museum website.
This program is supported by major partner VicHealth.
Register via this form.
Monash Asian Studies Debating Competition 2026
Each year the Monash Asian Studies Debating Competition (MASDC) is run by the School of Languages, Literature, Cultures and Linguistics at Monash University in conjunction with the Debaters Association of Victoria. The topics focus on contemporary issues relevant to Asia. The competition will consist of three preliminary rounds and a final. Resource materials will be provided before the competition.
Each school can choose to participate in an on-campus debating day (from 10am-3pm on Date TBC at Monash's Clayton campus) or in online debates (conducted through Zoom) on Date TBC.
The competition is open to students from Years 9 to 12. (Students in lower year levels may enrol only if there is space.) Each school can enter at least one team with between three and nine speakers. The cost of entry is $155 per team.
Register via this form.
Please contact the competition coordinator (Jonathan Benney, jonathan.benney@monash.edu) if you have questions!
National Schools Debating Championships
This year the National Schools Debating Championship is being held in Sydney. This annual tournament comprises the best high school debaters from each state and territory debating against each other over the course of a week from TBC.
Deakin Law Debates
A debating competition open to students from Years 11-12, run by the DAV in conjunction with Deakin Law School. The topics will focus on legal theory and criminal justice related issues. TBC at Deakin University Law School, Burwood Campus
External programs
NOTE: These programs are not affiliated with or endorsed by the DAV but may be of interest to students who enjoy debating and/or public speaking.
If you would like the DAV to include details of a debating or public speaking program, please read the Promotion and Publicity policy for information about our approach to advertising external events.