BJJ Academies in Australia.
Australia has one of the most established BJJ scenes outside Brazil. AFBJJ — the Australian Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — was founded in October 1994 and describes itself as the first national BJJ federation outside Brazil. State bodies built around it: NSW BJJ Federation (founded 2001 by Paulo Guimarães, Marcelo Rezende, and Bruno Panno) and the Queensland BJJ Circuit run regional opens through the year.
The talent track is real. John Will, the first Australian BJJ black belt, was awarded by Rigan and Jean Jacques Machado in 1998 — one of the original "Dirty Dozen" non-Brazilian black belts. Lachlan Giles (Absolute MMA, Melbourne) became the first Australian to medal in the ADCC absolute division when he took bronze at ADCC 2019, submitting Kaynan Duarte, Patrick Gaudio, and Mahamed Aly via heel hook. Craig Jones, also Australian, has two ADCC silver medals (2019 -88kg and 2022 -99kg).
The academy map spans the country: Absolute MMA in Melbourne (St Kilda, CBD, Collingwood) under Lachlan Giles; Gracie Sydney in Coogee, founded 2001 by Bruno Panno (Gracie Humaita lineage); Gracie Barra Sydney in Frenchs Forest, the GB Oceania HQ founded 2002 by Marcelo Rezende; Will-Machado BJJ Australasia, the country's largest network with 70+ schools under John Will; Atos BJJ Brisbane in Toowong; Checkmat Australia in Melbourne; Jean Jacques Machado BJJ Perth in Greenwood, WA. The AFBJJ runs the Pan Pacific IBJJF Championship — the 2025 edition was at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, October 24–26.
Tournaments and seminars in Australia.
Whitlam Leisure Centre · Sydney, New South Wales
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Whitlam Leisure Centre in Sydney, New South Wales.
South Pine Sports Complex · Brisbane, Queensland
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at South Pine Sports Complex in Brisbane, Queensland.
Kensington Community Leisure Centre · Adelaide, South Australia
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Kensington Community Leisure Centre in Adelaide, South Australia.
Heffron Centre · Sydney, New South Wales
AJP Tour (Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro) Gi/No-Gi jiu-jitsu championship at Heffron Centre in Sydney, New South Wales.
Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre · Lennox Head, New South Wales
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre in Lennox Head, New South Wales.
State Sport Centres · Melbourne, Victoria
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at State Sport Centres in Melbourne, Victoria.
Whitlam Leisure Centre · Sydney, New South Wales
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Whitlam Leisure Centre in Sydney, New South Wales.
Caloundra Indoor Stadium · Caloundra, Queensland
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Caloundra Indoor Stadium in Caloundra, Queensland.
Newcastle Basketball Stadium · Newcastle, New South Wales
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Newcastle Basketball Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium · Gold Coast, Queensland
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium in Gold Coast, Queensland.
State Sport Centres · Melbourne, Victoria
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at State Sport Centres in Melbourne, Victoria.
Kensington Community Leisure Centre · Adelaide, South Australia
Grappling Industries Gi and No-Gi grappling tournament with round-robin brackets for all belt levels and ages, at Kensington Community Leisure Centre in Adelaide, South Australia.