A fresh opportunity for Australia's new voices!
A FREE two-month intensive public speaking program for inexperienced and beginner public speakers culminating in a gala online event during in March 2026!
We're looking for new voices across Australia for an exclusive free training experience!
We’re inviting a range of event bookers, industry peak bodies and events professionals to be introduced to Australia's next generation of speakers and presenters in a TEDtalk style format of short talks on a wide range of topics of their choice.
As part of our mission to increase the entrepreneurial capacity of the Australia and the confidence of our people, we’re looking for fresh voices from all generations to receive free training over four months before a full rehearsal and then live-streamed online event where you can show your stuff to the world!
Plus one speaker at our gala event will win $1000 of paid speaking bookings in 2026 sponsored by Speakstarter.
Key Dates
MON
JAN 19
INFORMATION SESSION 1
6.30 PM AEDT / 6.00 PM SA / 5.30 PM QLD / 5.00 PM NT / 3.30 PM WA
Zoom Webinar - link sent upon booking
Learn about the program, the process and the competition.
WED
JAN 21
INFORMATION SESSION 2
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
Zoom Webinar - link sent upon booking
Learn about the program, the process and the competition.
SAT
JAN 24
INFORMATION SESSION 3
11.30 AM AEDT / 11.00 AM SA / 10.30 AM QLD / 10:00 AM NT / 8.30 AM WA
Zoom Webinar - link sent upon booking
Learn about the program, the process and the competition.
WED
JAN 28
LEARNING SESSION 1
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
The TED structure, Topic Selection, Topic Restrictions, Research & Planning
Zoom Call - link sent upon booking
WED
FEB 4
LEARNING SESSION 2
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
Your opening hook, main supporting points and big finish.
Zoom Call - link sent upon booking
WED
FEB 11
LEARNING SESSION 3
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
Vulnerability, Safety, Humour and Personal Stories.
Zoom Call - link sent upon booking
WED
FEB 18
LEARNING SESSION 4
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
Pacing, Modulation and Tone.
Zoom Call - link sent upon booking
WED
FEB 25
LEARNING SESSION 5
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
Adding visual aids and presentation slides.
Zoom Call - link sent upon booking
TUE
MAR 10
LIVE READING (GROUP 1)
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
Bringing it all together and live reading.
Zoom Call - link sent upon booking
THU
MAR 12
LIVE READING (GROUP 2)
12.30 PM AEDT / 12.00 PM SA / 11.30 AM QLD / 11.00 AM NT / 9.30 AM WA
Bringing it all together and live reading.
Zoom Call - link sent upon booking
FRI
MAR 13
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED & NOTIFIED
WED
MAR 25
LIVE STREAMED FINAL
7.30 PM AEDT / 7.00 PM SA / 6.30 PM QLD / 6.00 PM NT / 4.30 PM WA
Zoom Call and live streaming to YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Zoom
What you will learn.
This is unlike any kind of public speaking training you've ever tried before. You will be taught the format of a TEDtalk-style presentation with the chance to be in the final ten presenters at our Grand Finale Gala Online Event.
The Format
You will learn a TEDtalk-style format and be trained on everything you need to present your own 10-minute inspirational, motivational or challenging speech to a real audience on Ocotober 17 if you are selected in our Final 8.
Today's Public Speaking
The trouble with some public speaking programs is that they force debating, confrontation and performance in a certain way. This process gently guides you through the process of becoming a real public speaker for 2026 - not a speech-giver from 1932.
Your Trainer
Dante St James
I’m Dante St James. As a very experienced public speaker, presenter, former media personality and trainer, I’ve watched as the pool of professional speakers in Australia has become less diverse, harder to engage with and more repetitive. It's become a "sea of sameness."
As someone who has been blessed to make it to many stages around the Australia, I want to share a stage with new and up-and-coming voices so they can be introduced to an audience, connected with booking agents and events organisers and get the speaking experience they need.
I can’t wait to get started on New Voices 2026 as the third series in this event that got it's start in Darwin - and is now heading national.
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Australian Digital Education & Retail Group Pty Ltd trading as Speakstarter Education.