Pipe Bands Australia

Pipe Bands Australia is the national peak body for pipe bands in Australia, supporting piping and drumming through governance, education, competition and community development. It works with bands, players, adjudicators and volunteers on national standards, events, grading and pathways for participation and musical development.

Australian Pipe Band College

The Australian Pipe Band College (APBC) is the educational arm of Pipe Bands Australia. It delivers structured learning, tuition and resources in piping, snare, tenor and bass drumming. Workshops, courses and examinations support musicians from their first notes through to advanced performance and leadership.

Australian Pipe Band College.

Background

Following the colonisation of Australia commencing in 1788, interaction between pipe bands was concentrated in densely populated areas, especially capital cities. As interest grew, governing associations formed in the states and territories. The Victoria Highland Pipe Band Association, formed in 1924, was the first and oldest state association.

Improved transport and communication encouraged bands to travel beyond state boundaries and led to the Australian Federation of Pipe Band Associations. At its inception, the Federation had six state member associations. A key objective was to establish consistent contest regulations, informed by overseas practice, particularly Scotland, so bands could compete fairly across state boundaries.

In June 1977, the Federation conference resolved to form the Australian Pipe Band Association, with existing state associations becoming sub-branches of a national body. The Australian Pipe Band Association legal entity was formally incorporated on 29 August 1997.

Official website · Facebook.

Upcoming events

• PBQ Round Table Discussion — 2026-10-18
• Ready to Lead: PBA Rules, Governance and Band Administration Workshop — 2026-11-15
• Bass & Tenor Workshop — 2026-11-28
• 2027 Tasmanian Pipe Band Championships | Oatlands Highland Gathering — 2027-04-03

National calendar.

2026 Australian championship bands

• Western Australia Police Pipe Band — Grade 2: 1st.
• Perth Metro Pipe Band — Grade 3: 1st.
• The Scots College Pipes and Drums — Grade 3: 2nd (No.1); Grade 4B: 2nd (No.2); Novice Juvenile A: 1st (No.1); Novice Juvenile B: 2nd (No.2).
• Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band — Grade 3: 3rd (No.1); Novice Juvenile A: 3rd (No.1).
• City of Melbourne Pipe Band — Grade 4A: 1st (No.2).
• Lion City Pipe Band — Grade 4A: 2nd.
• Perth Highland Pipe Band — Grade 4A: 3rd.
• Scotch College Melbourne Pipe Band — Grade 4B: 1st (No.2); Novice Juvenile A: 2nd (No.1); Novice Juvenile B: 1st (No.2).
• Presbyterian Ladies College Perth Pipe Band — Grade 4B: 3rd; Novice Juvenile B: 3rd.

No Grade 1 competition was held in the 2026 results shown.

Full championship archive.

Gallery