Adam Burke works as a stand‑up comic, author, and cartoonist across the United States, and he is perhaps most recognized for his recurring role as a panelist on NPR’s humor news show Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!
Jordan Shanks‑Markovina, who goes by the handle friendlyjordies online, works as a journalist, political pundit and stand‑up comic in Australia. His videos tackle national politics, cultural topics and the day's headlines, typically delivered with the “lowbrow humour” he credits to himself. He launched his YouTube channel in February 2013; by June 2026 it had amassed more than 1.4 million subscribers and accumulated around 343 million views. Over the years he’s sat down with a range of Australian politicians, such as Jodi McKay, Tanya Plibersek, Kristina Keneally, Bill Shorten, Helen Dalton and former prime minister Kevin Rudd.
Hailing from Australia, Grace Jarvis is an Antipodean expatriate who works as a stand-up comedian and writer. She is also considered an Australian/New Zealand stand-up comedian. Critics often praise her comedic talent, frequently citing Grace Jarvis as among the wittiest and most intelligent rising comedians in Australia. Jarvis’s comedy style is often characterized as hilarious, stinging, and outrageously dark, a combination that some find surprising given her appearance; critics have even labeled her 'the world’s cheeriest nihilist'. She has demonstrated her writing abilities, earning multiple writing awards. Jarvis established herself within the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, performing three acclaimed stand-up comedy hours and appearing in the Comedy Up Late series and The Upfront Gala. Two of her recent shows, including her 2023 Edinburgh Fringe debut, 'This is the Last Goldfish That I Am Going to Eat for You', were directed by Laura Davis. She has also extended her reach beyond festivals, performing at the Woodford Folk Festival’s comedy programme. Her comedic talent is recognized by peers; Tim Batt, known for The Worst Idea of All Time, has praised her work as 'razor-sharp, vulnerable, honed' and declared her a star. Publications like The Age (AU) have noted her ability to deliver punchlines effortlessly. Beyond live performances, Jarvis maintains an active presence online, frequently complimented for her Twitter activity. She contributes writing to various publications including Junkee, The Feed SBS, The Nightly, and The Age. Her writing extends into digital spaces, as she has written sketches for Netflix ANZ social media channels. In 2024, she provided tour support for Josh Thomas in the UK. Jarvis is also a frequent guest on numerous podcasts, including Gamey Gamey Game, The Glue Factory, Some Laugh, Boonta Vista, Confessions with Sam Peterson, Masters of Our Domain, The Mish & Zach Podcast, Don’t You Know Who I Am with Josh Earl, bigsofttitty.png, and Free to a Good Home, demonstrating her versatility and continued engagement within the comedy landscape.
Kate McLennan is an Australian comedian, writer and actress. She has performed both at home and overseas, including appearances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In Australia she is noted for her roles in television and web series such as The Katering Show, Get Krack!n, The Mansion and the 2023 series Deadloch. The majority of her productions are created with Kate McCartney, a collaboration that has earned them the moniker “the Kates.”
Lou Wall is an Australian comedian, composer, and content creator. They grew up in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia. Wall, an Australian comedian, received an acting scholarship to attend the Victorian College of the Arts. Their comedy style is known for being multi-media musical comedy, often involving explorations of truth and fiction within stand-up. They describe their show as telling the audience they lie, and it uses powerpoints and musical comedy to explore finding truth, lies, and fun in storytelling. Wall’s career began in 2016 with 'A Dingo Ate My Baby,' which premiered at the FRISK festival and later played at the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. 'It’s Not Me, It’s Lou,' their second individual performance, was nominated for Best Cabaret at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted them to start using audio-visual components in their performances. Notable shows include 'That One Time I Joined The Illuminati' (2021), inspired by Facebook conspiracy groups, and 'Bleep Bloop' (2022), described as a ‘live pop album.’ A viral story about offering a bed for free on Facebook Marketplace, involving a buyer named Eileen, received 50 million views. Lou Wall has achieved considerable recognition, including multiple awards and festival nominations. In 2023, 'Lou Wall Vs The Internet,' which debuted at both the Melbourne Fringe and Edinburgh festivals that same year, earned a Moosehead Award. Additionally, 'Lou Wall Vs The Internet' and 'The Bisexual’s Lament,' which was a finalist for the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award, were recognized with Best of the Fest honors at the 2024 Sydney Comedy Festival. In 2025, their show 'Breaking the Fifth Wall,' a 60-minute off-Broadway show at the Soho Playhouse running through October 5, received a Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award nomination for Most Outstanding Show and played at New York’s Soho Theatre. Their television appearances include roles on Channel 4’s ‘8 Out of Ten Cats Does Countdown,’ ABC’s ‘Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee,’ Network Ten’s ‘The Project,’ ABC’s ‘Crime Night,’ ‘Spicks and Specks,’ ‘Fisk,’ ‘WTFAQ,’ and ABC America’s 'Reef Break.' In 2023, Wall served as a writer and presenter for ABC's 'WTFAQ'. Bringing the show to New York was a dream come true, with audiences described as not being reserved and craving hope.
Amanda “Mandy” Nolan works in Australia as a comedian and writer. She stood as a candidate in both the 2022 and 2025 Australian federal elections, but was not elected on either occasion.
Naomi Higgins, hailing from Australia, works as a writer, performer, comedian, influencer and was formerly a Twitch streamer. She authored and appeared in Why Are You Like This, a role that secured her an AWGIE comedy award.
Nina Oyama is an Australian performer who writes, acts, directs and does stand‑up comedy. She earned public notice through her parts in Utopia and Deadloch, and she also took part as a contestant on Taskmaster Australia.
Phil Cass is an Australian magician and comedy entertainer based in Sydney. Born on May 2, 1965, he began a career that has encompassed over 5000 shows performed in 56 countries. Before pursuing his entertainment career, Cass played rugby league for Brisbane Souths. His work combines magic, comedy, and audience interaction, and he is known for his clean comedy and sleight-of-hand. He published 'Oh No! Not a Magician!!' in 1992 and has released several DVDs, including 'Phil Cass in Action' and 'Funniest Comedy Compilation Collector's Set'. Cass’s career is marked by numerous awards and recognition. Between 1975 and 2016, he won nine Mo Awards, including a Gold MO Award for Australian Performer of the Year in both 2013 and 2014. He has also received eight Wallace Art Awards, earning titles such as Comedian of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. Furthermore, he secured National ‘ACE’ (Australian Club Entertainment) Awards for Sight Act of the Year in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and a 'Comedy Sight Act of the Year' award from the ACE Awards. Eight internal 'Best Magician' type awards have also been bestowed upon him, including a Genii's trophy. He has performed four seasons at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, demonstrating international recognition for his talents. Described as Australia’s No.1 corporate comedy magic act, Phil Cass performs internationally, including in Fiji, Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand, Noumea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Papua New Guinea. He participated in World Expo 88 and has entertained numerous high-profile clients such as Mercedes Benz, Virgin, Coca-Cola, Telstra, Qantas, and NRL/AFL clubs. His performances have garnered praise from prominent figures; Ray Martin from 'A Current Affair' called him "More than a magician, an entertainer!" Alan Jones from 2GB Radio stated he is "Simply The Best," while Toyota described his acts as "Remarkable, simply incredible!” Caltex noted he provided “The WOW factor we were looking for!” He has also worked with celebrities including Whoopee Goldberg, Olivia Newton-John, Bruce Springsteen, and Michael Jackson.
Australian comedian, writer, and ex-lawyer Sashi Perera is known for her work in these fields. Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, she was raised in Perth, Western Australia, and also spent time in Dubai and Muscat. She is currently based in Melbourne, having moved there in 2018 for grad school. Before pursuing comedy, Perera worked as a lawyer, focusing on refugee law and human rights, including a period working for an NGO in Egypt. This experience working with international refugee organizations continues to inform her perspective. Perera’s comedic journey began in 2018 when she reached the state finals of the Raw Comedy competition at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She has since performed extensively, appearing at festivals including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and New Zealand Comedy Festival. Her shows explore themes of language, life, and cultural absurdities, often focusing on emotional and cultural themes. Following a show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2021, Sashi Perera presented 'Endings' in 2023; this production was funded by a Eurydice Dixon grant and examined themes of mortality and change. She continued this exploration with 'Boundaries' in 2024. Her online videos have amassed over 40 million views, and critics from ArtsHub have praised her personal and social insights. In 2024, Perera made the significant decision to leave law and become a full-time comedian. She has appeared on television shows such as 'Have You Been Paying Attention?' and 'Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee.' Her performance in April 2026 was described by The Age as unexpectedly moving, highlighting her comic timing and crowd work. Publications like The Sydney Morning Herald have noted her ability to make colonialism funny, while The Morning emphasized her willingness to embrace uncertainty. Indian Link has credited her accurate observations for the virality of her content. She is married to Charlie, and the death of her father in December 2021 influenced her decision to leave law. In 2025, she released her memoir, 'Standstill,' which explores themes of lost identity, relationships, and belonging, and received widespread acclaim; it details events following the cancellation of a wedding in Sri Lanka and her subsequent work with refugee organizations. During 2025, Sashi Perera resided in Sri Lanka for an extended period. Her show 'Pear Tree' was performed at the New Zealand Comedy Festival in 2026, demonstrating the international reach of her performances.
Australian writer, actor and comedian Susie Youssef works across television, radio and the stage. She is most recognized for her roles on The Project, the Australian version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and Rosehaven, and she has taken her stand‑up act to numerous festivals both in Australia and overseas.
Tom Cardy, hailing from Australia, works as a comedian, musician, songwriter and actor. He first attracted attention in 2020 when his “Song Sequels” feature aired on Triple J, and later reached a worldwide audience by sharing comedic songs and video clips on TikTok and YouTube. Cardy has written music for the comedy programs The Feed and The Moth Effect, as well as for the animated web series Helluva Boss. His inaugural EP, Artificial Intelligence, released in 2021, climbed to number 40 on the ARIA Albums Chart. He has also been named a finalist for the AACTA Award for Favourite Digital Content Creator and for the Craft Award for Writing at the Streamy Awards.
Albania
1
Armenia
2
Argentina
35
Austria
28
Azerbaijan
1
Belgium
13
Bulgaria
31
Benin
2
Bolivia
1
Brazil
27
Canada
124
Switzerland
17
Chile
13
Cameroon
1
China
8
Colombia
4
Czech Republic
7
Germany
188
Denmark
17
Dominican Republic
1
Algeria
2
Estonia
5
Egypt
6
Spain
74
Finland
15
France
214
United Kingdom
364
Ghana
3
Greece
18
Guatemala
1
Hungary
7
Indonesia
8
Ireland
31
Israel
9
India
11
Iraq
3
Iran
6
Italy
136
Jamaica
1
Japan
35
Kenya
3
Korea, South
20
Kazakhstan
1
Lebanon
5
Lithuania
1
Latvia
1
Morocco
17
Myanmar
1
Malta
1
Malawi
2
Mexico
28
Malaysia
7
Nigeria
19
Nicaragua
2
Netherlands
2
Norway
12
Nepal
3
New Zealand
9
Peru
2
Philippines
35
Pakistan
7
Poland
8
Portugal
7
Qatar
1
Romania
1
Serbia
3
Russia
9
Saudi Arabia
4
Sweden
101
Slovenia
4
Slovakia
2
Thailand
2
Tunisia
4
Turkey
5
Taiwan
1
Ukraine
11
Uganda
7
United States
213
Uruguay
1
Uzbekistan
1
Vietnam
1
South Africa
2
Australia has a vibrant comedy culture with comedians performing across stand-up, television, film, radio, theatre and online platforms. From established comedy stars to emerging performers, Australian comedians are known for a wide range of styles, from observational humour and storytelling to satire, sketch comedy and improvisation.
At GiggleTime, we bring together profiles of Australian comedians, stand-up comedians, comedy actors and other personalities connected to Australian comedy and entertainment. Browse the profiles above to discover more about their careers, performances and contributions to the comedy scene in Australia.
Stand-up comedy is an important part of the Australian entertainment scene, with comedians performing in dedicated comedy clubs, theatres, pubs, festivals and live events across the country.
Australia has developed a distinctive stand-up culture, with comedians drawing inspiration from everyday Australian life, relationships, culture and current events. The country's comedy scene also includes performers with very different approaches to humour, ranging from observational comedy and personal storytelling to satire, dark humour, character comedy and improvisation.
Melbourne has a particularly strong reputation for live comedy and is home to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, one of Australia's major comedy events. Comedy is also a significant part of the entertainment scenes in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and other cities around the country.
Australia has produced many comedians who have become well known both nationally and internationally. Some built their careers through live stand-up, while others became recognised through television, films, radio, theatre or comedy writing.
Australian comedians have also appeared in major international productions, helping introduce Australian humour and performers to audiences around the world. Many comedy performers work across multiple areas of entertainment, combining stand-up with acting, writing, presenting, podcasting or television.
The Australian comedy scene continues to introduce new performers alongside established names, giving audiences a constantly changing selection of comedic voices and styles.
Australian comedy extends far beyond the stand-up stage. Television has played an important role in introducing comedians to wider audiences through sitcoms, sketch shows, panel shows, comedy series and other entertainment programmes.
Australian comedians are also active in film, radio, podcasts and online media. Platforms such as YouTube and social media have created new ways for comedians to share sketches, stand-up clips, short-form comedy and original content with audiences in Australia and around the world.
This combination of live performance, traditional media and digital platforms has helped create opportunities for both established Australian comedians and new comedy talent.
Explore our collection of Australian comedians and comedy personalities above to discover performers from different generations and areas of Australia's comedy scene.
Use the search feature to find a particular comedian or browse the directory to discover new names. Individual profiles may include biographical information, career details, performances, photographs and other interesting facts.
Whether you are looking for Australian stand-up comedians, famous Australian comedians, comedy actors, television comedians or emerging comedy talent, GiggleTime makes it easy to discover comedians from Australia.
The directory continues to grow as new comedians and comedy personalities are added.
