They are organised by Swimming Australia and separate championships are held annually in both long course (50m) and short course (25m) pools.
Some consider the meet the second-toughest domestic competition in the world, behind the USA's national championships.
The first edition of the championships was held in Sydney in January 1896 with events at the Natatorium, Sutherland Dock (Cockatoo Island) and on the Hawkesbury River.
The state that wins the most points at the championships is awarded the Kieran Shield, named in memory of Barney B. Kieran, a swimmer from New South Wales, who was a world record holder, and who died, aged 18, in 1905.
[1] The 1990 Australian Swimming Championships saw events for para athletes added for the first time.