Australian Comedian Of The Year 2026
Welcome to Australia's Most Prestigious Comedy Event of 2026!
The stage is set for the Australian Comedian of the Year competition at Comedy Lounge! This isn’t just another comedy night - it’s the ultimate showdown where the finest comedic talents from across the nation battle for glory, laughs, and the title of Australia’s best.
With a jaw-dropping $10,000 grand prize for the professional champion, this is one of the biggest comedy competitions Australia has ever seen. Across six heats, two semi-finals, a wildcard heat, and an electrifying grand final, the stakes are high, the talent is fierce, and the laughter is unstoppable.
meet the contestants
discover the competition contestants.
FAQs
Work Events People Actually Want to Attend!
Is there an age restriction for shows?
Most shows are 18+, but some early sessions or special events may be suitable for younger audiences. Please check the event details before booking.
Can I book for a large group?
Absolutely! For groups of 10 or more, please reach out to our bookings team for seating options and special arrangements.
Yes, when we are not sold out you will be able to purchase tickets at the door.
What’s your refund or exchange policy?
Tickets are non-refundable
Can I sit with my friends if we book separately?
Absolutely! For groups over 10, email us your group name, date and time of show and we will seat you together. Our seating is based on first in, best dressed so we recommend arriving 30 minutes early
How long does a show run for?
Most comedy shows run for 90mins with a short intermission
You can with Prviate Table tickets or Booth Packages. Otherwise, General Admission is first come first served.
How much does a comedy show ticket cost?
Ticket prices vary depending on the show. General admission varies between 25 and $60
why are comedy lounge's shows more expensive than other comedy clubs?
You get what you pay for. Our prices reflect the quality we bring to our audiences. Our ccomedyclub attracts the best comedians in the world.
Can our group be seated together?
We do our best to accommodate groups. Arriving 30 minutes early will increase your chances of sitting together.
Do I have to pay ticketing fees?
No, you don't. Comedy Lounge absorbs all ticketing costs, so the price you see is the price you pay.
What time should i arrive for a show?
We recommend arriving 30 minutes before the show starts to allow time for check-in, finding your seats, and ordering any food or drinks you want to enjoy during the show.
Are food and beverages available during the show?
Comedy Lounge Perth City offers a selection of food and beverages that can be enjoyed before and during the show.
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"EventSeries","@id":"/shows/australian-comedian-of-the-year-2026#event-series","name":"Australian Comedian Of The Year 2026","description":"Welcome to Australia's Most Prestigious Comedy Event of 2026!\nThe stage is set for the Australian Comedian of the Year competition at Comedy Lounge! This isn’t just another comedy night - it’s the ultimate showdown where the finest comedic talents from across the nation battle for glory, laughs, and the title of Australia’s best.\n\nWith a jaw-dropping $10,000 grand prize for the professional champion, this is one of the biggest comedy competitions Australia has ever seen. Across six heats, two semi-finals, a wildcard heat, and an electrifying grand final, the stakes are high, the talent is fierce, and the laughter is unstoppable.","url":"/shows/australian-comedian-of-the-year-2026","organizer":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"#organization","name":"","url":""},"startDate":"2026-04-10T20:30:00+08:00","endDate":"2026-04-10T22:30:00+08:00","location":{"@type":"Place","@id":"/venues/comedy-lounge-perth-city#place","name":"Comedy Lounge Perth City","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"Upstairs, 413 Murray St","addressLocality":"Perth","addressRegion":"WA","postalCode":"6000","addressCountry":"Australia"}},"eventSchedule":{"@type":"Schedule","scheduleTimezone":"Australia/Perth","startTime":"T20:30"},"image":["https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68d4b8f315680631ae585a2c/6950e9888517c52a628f090f_australian-comedian-of-the-year-2026-banner-landscape.jpg","https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68d4b8f315680631ae585a2c/6959d0edc78bfe2c713ab57e_australian-comedian-of-the-year-2026-banner-square.jpg"],"subEvent":[{"@type":"ComedyEvent","@id":"/tickets/grand-final-10155#event","name":"Grand Final","startDate":"2026-04-10T20:30:00+08:00","endDate":"2026-04-10T22:30:00+08:00","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled","eventAttendanceMode":"https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode","location":{"@type":"Place","@id":"/venues/comedy-lounge-perth-city#place","name":"Comedy Lounge Perth City","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"Upstairs, 413 Murray St","addressLocality":"Perth","addressRegion":"WA","postalCode":"6000","addressCountry":"Australia"}},"superEvent":{"@id":"/shows/australian-comedian-of-the-year-2026#event-series"},"description":"The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived. The Australian Comedian of the Year competition 2026 reaches its epic conclusion right here at Comedy Lounge Perth.\n\nAfter months of fierce competition across the country, the finest comedic talent Australia has to offer will take our stage for one unforgettable night. These are the performers who've battled through countless rounds, perfected their craft, and earned their spot in comedy history.\n\nIt isn't just about crowning a winner. It's about witnessing the future of Australian comedy unfold before your eyes. Every joke, every story, every perfectly timed pause has led to this single evening where dreams are made and legends are born.\n\nThe atmosphere will be electric as our finalists deliver their best material, knowing that everything they've worked for comes down to these precious minutes on stage. You'll be part of something special, watching careers launch and witnessing moments that these comedians will remember for the rest of their lives.\n\nThis is your chance to say you were there when Australian comedy's next big star was crowned. Don't miss what promises to be an absolutely incredible night of entertainment.","image":["https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68d4b8f315680631ae585a2c/6950e9888517c52a628f090f_australian-comedian-of-the-year-2026-banner-landscape.jpg","https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68d4b8f315680631ae585a2c/6959d0edc78bfe2c713ab57e_australian-comedian-of-the-year-2026-banner-square.jpg"],"organizer":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"#organization","name":"","url":""},"performer":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/217","name":"Wyatt Nixon","jobTitle":"contestant"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/216","name":"Thabo Tshuma","description":"Thabo Tshuma brings his Zimbabwean perspective to Australian stages with a conversational style that connects instantly with audiences. This Perth-based comedian, actor and MC has built a reputation for relatable storytelling that turns everyday experiences into genuinely engaging comedy.\n\nThis multi-talented performer continues to establish himself as a confident voice in the Australian comedy scene, bringing his unique perspective to stages across the country.","jobTitle":"contestant"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/sarah-callaghan","name":"Sarah Callaghan","description":"Sarah Callaghan brings a distinctive working-class perspective to comedy that has earned her recognition as one of the UK's most promising comedic talents. Time Out magazine named her 'One to Watch' in 2014, and the following year she received a Malcolm Hardee Award nomination for 'Act Most Likely To Earn A Million Quid'.\n\nHer television career began early when she appeared on E4's Virtually Famous, becoming the youngest female comedian to appear on a UK panel show. She has since written and performed sketches for ITV2's @elevenish and The Great Xmas Rant, and her other TV credits include Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains (Comedy Central), Life and Rhymes (Sky Arts), and The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2).\n\nSarah has built an international following through extensive touring across Europe, Dubai, and Australia. In 2018, she brought her show 'The Ballad of Sarah Callaghan' to the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, where she also made her television stand-up debut.\n\nIn 2022, she sold out London's Soho Theatre with 'Revolting', a show that featured her performing alongside a five-piece band. This production demonstrated her ability to blend comedy with musical elements, expanding her artistic range beyond traditional stand-up.\n\nCritics have consistently praised her stage presence and natural comedic ability. The Mirror gave her a five-star review, noting her immediate impact on audiences, while The Herald compared her to a young Kathy Burke. The Scotsman called her "fiercely impressive" and Chortle described her as "a powerhouse" who "radiates confidence" on stage.\n\nSarah continues to perform regularly on the UK comedy circuit and develop new material that draws from her authentic working-class background and distinctive comedic voice.","jobTitle":"contestant"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/nola-bliss","name":"Nola Bliss","description":"At 75, Nola Bliss is proving that it’s never too late to pursue your purpose and goals. Once a fixture in Perth’s comedy scene during its infancy 30 years ago, Nola took a hiatus to focus on her family business as a publican in the town of York. Now, she’s back, reigniting her comedy career with a fervour that is both inspiring and infectious. Nola’s return to the stage has been met with resounding applause. Audiences are captivated by her no-nonsense, candid, and cheeky style. Her performances are a delightful mix of naughtiness, a touch of crude, and a bit of dark humour - truly unique. On days she isn’t gigging, Nola is diligently writing, constantly honing her craft.","jobTitle":"contestant"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/chris-pucillo","name":"Chris Pucillo","description":"Chris Pucillo is a South African living the immigrant experience and joking his way through domestic bliss in suburban Perth. You can catch Chris Pucillo at one of Comedy Lounge's upcoming comedy shows in Western Australia.","jobTitle":"contestant"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/167","name":"Ian Burke","description":"Ian Burke is an award-winning Irish comedian, who made the move to Australia this year in order to live his dream of experiencing a full week without rain. Ian’s droll dark tendencies, sharp style and snappy delivery regularly leave audiences in-stitches, or aghast. During his time Down Under, Ian quickly made a name for himself on the Perth comedy scene by winning “WA’s Next-Gen Comedy Award”","jobTitle":"contestant"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/206","name":"Jetro Gainza Kunstmann","jobTitle":"contestant"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/155","name":"Chris Radburn","description":"Chris Radburn is one of Australia's best comedians. Chris' comedy timing, crowd banter and hilarious observations about everyday life are exceptional. Chris has appeared on many TV and radio shows but it is live stand up comedy where he is at his best.","jobTitle":"mc"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/nadun-gamini-hettiarachchi","name":"Nadun Gamini Hettiarachchi","description":"Nadun Hetti is a Melbourne-based comedian and RAW Comedy National Finalist whose stand-up blends personal storytelling with razor-sharp observations on identity, culture, and belonging. Growing up during Sri Lanka’s civil war before moving to Australia alone at the ripe age of 18, Nadun weaves these experiences into comedy that’s equal parts heartfelt and hilarious. He also jokes about his hobbies, which include reading, Jujitsu, and salsa dancing! Known for his dark twists and edgy misdirection, Nadun has toured nationally with Joe White and performed to over 1,500 people at Melbourne Town Hall. His comedy sits at an intersection of personal history, and sharp joke writing, challenging perspectives and keeps the audience on his toes. \r\n\r\n\"Taking over national Stereotypes and making them his own\"-Chortle UK\r\n\"Exceptionally personal comedy\" - Squirrel Comedy","jobTitle":"Comedian"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"/comedians/246","name":"Josh Spyro","description":"Some comedians ease you into their world with gentle observations about airline food. Josh Spyro kicks down the door, grabs you by the collar, and drags you straight into the beautiful chaos of his Greek-Australian family dysfunction. And somehow, you'll thank him for it.\n\nThis Queensland firecracker made waves as the 2025 RAW Comedy National Runner-Up, beating out nearly 1,000 other hopefuls across the country. His frenetic, no-filter performance at the Melbourne Town Hall Grand Final didn't just win over the local crowd. It caught the attention of Chortle in the UK, who praised his urgent delivery and knack for capturing a room from word one.\n\nJosh has mastered the art of mining comedy gold from the most unlikely places, particularly the cultural gap between his generation's enthusiasm for therapy and his immigrant father's firm conviction that talking about feelings is what's actually wrong with kids these days. It's a collision of old-world stoicism and new-world vulnerability that produces comedy both brutally honest and hilariously relatable.","jobTitle":"Comedian"}],"offers":{"@type":"AggregateOffer","offerCount":3,"lowPrice":60,"highPrice":450,"priceCurrency":"AUD","url":"/tickets/grand-final-10155#tickets","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","validFrom":"2026-03-19T11:00:00+08:00"}}]}