Peter Josip crowned 2025 RAW Comedy National Winner

On Sunday 13 April 2024, the top 13 best new comics from around Australia took to the Melbourne Town Hall stage with their best 5 min set for the RAW Comedy National Grand Final hosted by Lizzy Hoo. After a very funny set that managed to cover racial identity, martial arts and contemporary political triggers around immigration, Peter Josip from Victoria took out the 2025 RAW Comedy title to rousing applause. Runners-up in a close race were Mariah Nickolas from NSW and Josh Spyro from QLD.

For 28 years, Australia’s largest and most prestigious open mic competition, RAW Comedy, has unearthed emerging comedic talent. For the last three months RAW Comedy has scoured the country for the sharpest original material, bravest jokes, most unexpected punchlines and pure, authentic funny bones. The finalists were selected from almost one thousand budding comedians who registered to compete in the RAW Comedy heats and finals across Australia, including: Charlotte Kuruc (ACT), Freddie Arthur (VIC), Jay Kelly (NT), Jazz King (SA), Josh Spyro (QLD), Mariah Nickolas (NSW), Martin Darcey (WA), Michael Cho (NSW), Montana Papadinis (VIC), Nadun Hetti (VIC), Nick Starkey (ACT), Peter Josip (VIC) and Scott Lleonart (TAS).

Now, Peter will not only take home the prestigious RAW Comedy title but also secure a coveted spot at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to compete in So You Think You’re Funny? and rub shoulders with leading emerging comics from around the world. As part of the national winner prize, Peter will also receive a studio session with photographer Nick Robertson to kick start their promo portfolio.

The judges noted that the 2025 RAW Final was one of the toughest to judge in recent years with a very high standard across all the contestants, showcasing the incredible diversity of lived experience that informs the contestants’ material. The audience had a huge evening of laughs and can undoubtedly look forward to saying “I saw their first big gig” about many of the performers in years to come.

RAW Comedy is the country’s premier platform for emerging comedic talent, boasting an impressive alumni line up including Anne Edmonds, Ronny Chieng, Tom Ballard, Sam Campbell, Sarah Kendall, Georgie Carroll, Celia Pacquola, Josh Thomas, Hannah Gadsby, Aaron Chen, Rhys Nicholson, Becky Lucas and Joel Creasey, just to name a few.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s other development programs include Class Clowns and Deadly Funny.

For more info about RAW Comedy head to rawcomedy.com.au.