The Original Comedy Institute
The Original Comedy Institute
The Original Comedy Institute
The Original Comedy Institute
Have fun learning the fundamentals of being funny
Have fun learning the fundamentals of being funny
Original Programs
Since 1973
Built by Australia's original comedy coach and dyslexic humour professor. Our programs change the way you think about humour. Giving you the skills, insights and confidence to be funnier, happier and more annoying.
Upcoming Workshops
Laughter as Medicine: Understanding Humour in Helping Professions
Laughter as Medicine: Understanding Humour in Helping Professions
Laughter as Medicine: Understanding Humour in Helping Professions
A free workshop exploring the concept of humour-informed care as a compliment to trauma-informed understandings
Learn more
Learn more
Quick Start to Stand-up
Quick Start to Stand-up
Quick Start to Stand-up
A 2hr Interactive Stand-up Comedy Workshop for beginner's
Learn more
Learn more
Sense of Humour Makeover
Sense of Humour Makeover
Sense of Humour Makeover
A fun two-hour workshop that will change the way you think about your SOH
Learn more
Learn more
Can humour really be learned?
Some people are naturally funnier than others. However plenty of evidence shows humour and comedy can be learned and developed, just like any other skill.
Clearly some people are naturally funnier than others, but if you've ever heard someone say you can't teach humour, they were wrong. There’s now a mountain of evidence that humour and comedy can be learned and developed. Just like any other skill. Maybe even by you?
Humour Attitude
Humour is a skill but it's also an attitude. It's a choice to see life in a more fun, creative and liberated way.
Humour is a skill but it's also an attitude. It's a choice to see life in a more fun, creative and liberated way.
The How
Want to try stand-up, or spice up your sense of humour? We can help you learn the chemistry of comedy.
Want to try stand-up, or spice up your sense of humour? We can help you learn the chemistry of comedy.
Beyond Fear
Get beyond fears around performing, speaking or just being funny in work or social settings.
Get beyond fears around performing, speaking or just being funny in work or social settings.
50 Year Leagacy
The Humourversity began in 1973 as the world's first bookshop devoted to humour, comedy and laughter. It grew into a unique comedy institution. It was founded by Pete Crofts, a comedian, international speaker & renowned comedy coach. He was the first to teach stand-up comedy in Australia.
Learn more
Pete Crofts is Australia's Humourversity professor.
Mary-Anne Byron
The Bulletin
Pete Crofts gave me the confidence I needed to take up stand-up comedy.
Russell Gilbert
Comedian | TV Star
I went from bank teller to national TV shows with Pete Croft's remarkable comedy coaching.
Adrian Kebbe
alias Harry Who Didn't
Your program certainly made an impact. Not only for me but for all other attendees. The content was extremely well researched and structured. The endless handouts gave great take-home value.
Linzi Johnston
Speakers Connection
When I rang you, I was 44 years old, a 44-year-old speaker going nowhere. You somehow fitted all the pieces together into a marketable package, inspired me to produce my own product, and set me off on a truly professional path.
Laurie Smale
Professional Speaker
Using Perception, vision, and commitment, Pete Crofts demonstrates his humanitarian vision for mankind, a world with a sense of humour.
John Doust
Australia Post
Everyone who asks me about becoming a professional speaker, I tell them the fact is that you have to use humour to get paid. I tell them all the credit belongs to you for teaching me how to create, develop and use humour effectively…
Daniel Johnson
President - VIC National Speakers.
Pete shows us how to have fun in our business.
Elizabeth Standring
Computer Trainer
Pete Crofts has been a major influence in my career and my single influence in understanding the craft of comedy and all the development of the Elliot Goblet character.
Jack Levi - alias Elliot Goblet
Comedian
Some of our past students:
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As seen in:
50 Year Leagacy
The Humourversity began in 1973 as the world's first bookshop devoted to humour, comedy and laughter. It grew into a unique comedy institution. It was founded by Pete Crofts, a comedian, international speaker & renowned comedy coach. He was the first to teach stand-up comedy in Australia.
Learn more
Pete Crofts is Australia's Humourversity professor.
Mary-Anne Byron
The Bulletin
Pete Crofts gave me the confidence I needed to take up stand-up comedy.
Russell Gilbert
Comedian | TV Star
I went from bank teller to national TV shows with Pete Croft's remarkable comedy coaching.
Adrian Kebbe
alias Harry Who Didn't
Your program certainly made an impact. Not only for me but for all other attendees. The content was extremely well researched and structured. The endless handouts gave great take-home value.
Linzi Johnston
Speakers Connection
When I rang you, I was 44 years old, a 44-year-old speaker going nowhere. You somehow fitted all the pieces together into a marketable package, inspired me to produce my own product, and set me off on a truly professional path.
Laurie Smale
Professional Speaker
Using Perception, vision, and commitment, Pete Crofts demonstrates his humanitarian vision for mankind, a world with a sense of humour.
John Doust
Australia Post
Everyone who asks me about becoming a professional speaker, I tell them the fact is that you have to use humour to get paid. I tell them all the credit belongs to you for teaching me how to create, develop and use humour effectively…
Daniel Johnson
President - VIC National Speakers.
Pete shows us how to have fun in our business.
Elizabeth Standring
Computer Trainer
Pete Crofts has been a major influence in my career and my single influence in understanding the craft of comedy and all the development of the Elliot Goblet character.
Jack Levi - alias Elliot Goblet
Comedian
Some of our past students:
1
1
1
1
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As seen in:
50 Year Legacy
The Humourversity grew from the world's first bookshop devoted to humour, comedy and laughter, started in 1973. Founder Pete Crofts became the first person in Australia to teach stand-up comedy, developing a unique training methodology that has helped shape generations of performers, speakers and everyday people seeking greater confidence and comedic communication skills.
Learn more
Pete Crofts is Australia's Humourversity professor.
Mary-Anne Byron
The Bulletin
Pete Crofts gave me the confidence I needed to take up stand-up comedy.
Russell Gilbert
Comedian | TV Star
I went from bank teller to national TV shows with Pete Croft's remarkable comedy coaching.
Adrian Kebbe
alias Harry Who Didn't
Your program certainly made an impact. Not only for me but for all other attendees. The content was extremely well researched and structured. The endless handouts gave great take-home value.
Linzi Johnston
Speakers Connection
When I rang you, I was 44 years old, a 44-year-old speaker going nowhere. You somehow fitted all the pieces together into a marketable package, inspired me to produce my own product, and set me off on a truly professional path.
Laurie Smale
Professional Speaker
Using Perception, vision, and commitment, Pete Crofts demonstrates his humanitarian vision for mankind, a world with a sense of humour.
John Doust
Australia Post
Everyone who asks me about becoming a professional speaker, I tell them the fact is that you have to use humour to get paid. I tell them all the credit belongs to you for teaching me how to create, develop and use humour effectively…
Daniel Johnson
President - VIC National Speakers.
Pete shows us how to have fun in our business.
Elizabeth Standring
Computer Trainer
Pete Crofts has been a major influence in my career and my single influence in understanding the craft of comedy and all the development of the Elliot Goblet character.
Jack Levi - alias Elliot Goblet
Comedian
Some of our past students:
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
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As seen in:
In 2026
In 2026
The Humourversity is being reimagined
The Humourversity
is being reimagined
Same proven approach, modernised for today.
Same proven approach, modernised for today.
As more of the world becomes digital and automated, the ability to think, connect, and communicate in a human, and humorous way, becomes even more valuable.
As more of the world becomes digital and automated, the ability to think, connect, and communicate in a human, and humorous way, becomes even more valuable.
AI will get smarter, but not all intelligence is artificial.
AI will get smarter, but not all intelligence is artificial.
Humour Intelligence is the future-friendly, multi-purpose advantage for the modern human.
Try a free 30-minute Comedy Coaching Session
Want to level up your sense of humour?
Or get that comedy act out of you, and onto a stage?
Clearly some people are naturally funnier than others, but if you've ever heard someone say you can't teach humour, they were wrong. There’s now a mountain of evidence that humour and comedy can be learned and developed. Just like any other skill. Maybe even by you?
NO SALES PITCH
NO SALES PITCH
This might be simpler you think
This might be simpler you think
A focused one-to-one session looking at what you want to do humour or comedy wise, any fears or obstacles holding you back, and giving you a taste of how comedy coaching works.
A focused one-to-one session looking at what you want to do humour or comedy wise, any fears or obstacles holding you back, and giving you a taste of how comedy coaching works.
That's a bit about us
Tell us something about you
We look forward to hearing your story
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really learn to be funny?
Do you guarantee to make me funnier?
What is the difference between the old Humourversity and the new Humourversity?
Why is there no social media presence when Humourversity has been around for so long?
Why are there only a few google reviews given your history?
What is your refund policy?
The Original Comedy Institute
Navigation
© 2026 Humourversity. All rights reserved.
The Original Comedy Institute
Navigation
© 2026 Humourversity. All rights reserved.
Enough about us
Make an enquiry and tell us about you. We promise not to harass you too much. New programs and events starting soon. Limited spaces.
The Original Comedy Institute
Navigation
© 2026 Humourversity. All rights reserved.
History in the Remaking
A 50-year legacy is being reborn.
It started with the world's first bookshop devoted to humour, comedy and laughter and became a Founded by Pete Crofts — comedian, international speaker, humour coach, humour historian and one of the first people in the world to teach stand-up.
Pete Crofts is Australia's Humourversity professor.
Mary-Anne Byron
The Bulletin
Pete Crofts gave me the confidence I needed to take up stand-up comedy.
Russell Gilbert
Comedian | TV Star
I went from bank teller to national TV shows with Pete Croft's remarkable comedy coaching.
Adrian Kebbe
alias Harry Who Didn't
Your program certainly made an impact. Not only for me but for all other attendees. The content was extremely well researched and structured. The endless handouts gave great take-home value.
Linzi Johnston
Speakers Connection
When I rang you, I was 44 years old, a 44-year-old speaker going nowhere. You somehow fitted all the pieces together into a marketable package, inspired me to produce my own product, and set me off on a truly professional path.
Laurie Smale
Professional Speaker
Using Perception, vision, and commitment, Pete Crofts demonstrates his humanitarian vision for mankind, a world with a sense of humour.
John Doust
Australia Post
Everyone who asks me about becoming a professional speaker, I tell them the fact is that you have to use humour to get paid. I tell them all the credit belongs to you for teaching me how to create, develop and use humour effectively…
Daniel Johnson
President - VIC National Speakers.
Pete shows us how to have fun in our business.
Elizabeth Standring
Computer Trainer
Pete Crofts has been a major influence in my career and my single influence in understanding the craft of comedy and all the development of the Elliot Goblet character.
Jack Levi - alias Elliot Goblet
Comedian
Some of our past students:
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
As seen in:
