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
Monash Asian Studies Debating Competition 2025
A debating competition open to students from Years 10-12, run by the DAV in conjunction with the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics at Monash University. The topics will focus on contemporary issues relevant to Asia.
On-campus debating day (at Monash's Clayton campus) on Sunday 18th May (from 10am-3pm on Sunday 12 May at Monash's Clayton campus) or in online debates (conducted through Zoom) on Saturday 25th May.
Registration will open in 2025.
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.
Debating4all
Debating4all is a volunteer initiative, run entirely by high school students, that offers schools without access to coaching resources the opportunity to receive volunteer coaching. This will be completely free, and our coaches are either state debaters, or part of the top teams at their respective schools. Debating4all wants to improve the quality of debating across Victoria, and combat the often high costs of debating coaching.
Specifically, they can offer is up to 2 hours of coaching before the debate, either done in person or online to schools in the areas below. The times will be decided between the coach and the team themselves.There may also be an opportunity for teams to be observed by their coach, who will then provide specific constructive feedback after the debate.
Alternatively, if your school/area isn't mentioned in the list below, please contact Debating4all to organise a volunteer coach for your school's teams.
Further information can be found at the Debating4all website.
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.