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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.

Schools Competition
(Yr 9-12 Debating)

Schools Competition Topics 2025

Click here to access resources guides for this year's topics.

A Grade

Round 1: That all pharmaceutical research should be funded and conducted by the government.
Round 2: That we should hold company directors & CEOs criminally responsible for security breaches (e.g. data breaches).
Round 3: Secret Topic
Round 4: Secret Topic
Round 5: Secret Topic

B Grade

Round 1: That all school and university exams should be open-book.
Round 2: That all childcare centres should be funded and operated by the government.
Round 3: Secret Topic
Round 4: Secret Topic
Round 5: Secret Topic

C Grade

Round 1: That tickets to all sporting events should be free.
Round 2: That all young people aged 16-22 years old should receive a Universal Basic Income from the government.
Round 3: Advised Topic: Environment and Sustainability
Round 4: Secret Topic
Round 5: That the Australian government should prioritise tourism as Australia's main export.

D Grade

Round 1: That the government should prohibit businesses from being cashless.
Round 2: That phone use should be taught as a learning tool in schools.
Round 3: That Australia should implement a substantial tourist tax.
Round 4: That Australia should ban the use of herbicides and pesticides in agriculture.
Round 5: That it should be optional to complete the Census in Australia.

Secret and Advised Topics

Secret topics are released one hour before the debate begins. Teams should arrive an hour and fifteen minutes before the scheduled debating time to allow time for roll call.

Advised topics are released in the same way as secret topics, but the general subject area of the topic is known in advance.