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
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
The Sense of Humour Makeover
The Sense of Humour Makeover
The 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.
History in the Remaking
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, comedy coach, and humour professor. He was the first to teach stand-up comedy in Australia.
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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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.
New workshops and programs starting soon.
Enough about us
Tell us something about you.
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:
