Distance: 2000 metres
Time: 6.05.6
Margin: 3/4 length

1st VIC - Bow: John Morganti, 2: David H Boykett, 3: A Michael H Aikman, 4: James G Howden, 5: Garth O V Manton, 6: H Neville Howell, 7: Adrian C Monger, Str: Brian Doyle, Cox: Neil Hewitt, Cch: Robert Aitken, Emergencies C Brian Dawes and John A Hunt, Selectors: Norman W Cairnes, Ron J March & coach, Mgr: Jack Coghlan
2nd NSW – Bow: William J Rodgers, 2: Bruce Cumming, 3: Ralfe Currall, 4: Fred Benfield, 5: Geoff Williamson, 6: David Anderson, 7: Erwin Eder, Str: Peter M Evatt, Cox: Lionel Robberds, Emerg: Peter Waddington & J Webster, Cch & Selector: Peter M Evatt, Mgr: W Howard Holden
3rd QLD – Bow: K Maher, 2: R Magnus, 3: James Kerr, 4: Fred Jaques, 5: Brian Dorrough, 6: A Douglas, 7: Robert (Bob) Barrett, Str: J Boyd, Cox: Ron Smithers, Emerg: B Norman, Cch: J Bolster, Manager: A "Gus" Green
4th WA – Bow: Jack Messer, 2: Don O’Brien, 3: Richard (Dick) Child, 4: Ken Roberts, 5: Milton Francis, 6: Allan Hall, 7: Don Ross, Str: Robert Semple, Cox: Terry Scook, Emerg: Brian Coughlan, Cch: Eddy Edwards, Mgr: Gordon M Edwards
SA eliminated in repechage – Bow: Ian Jamieson, 2: R Simpson, 3: Alistair St J Allen, 4: G Butterworth, 5: Doug Wiles, 6: Adrian Jones, 7: Cliff Graetz, Str: Anthony S Matthews, Cox: E Popcock, Emerg: G Brice, Cch: Jock G Gosse, Mgr: N M Collins
TAS eliminated in repechage – Bow: N Griffiths, 2: D Burke, 3: G Brooks, 4: J Fitzgerald, 5: R McQuilkan, 6: R Stephenson, 7: M Read, Str: R McMullen, Cox: J Colrain, Emerg: D McMullen & J Walker, Cch: Doug Clark, Mgr: S C Hammond

The eights race was rowed over the Olympic distance of 2000 metres for the first time on the Olympic course at Ballarat. SA and Tasmania were eliminated in the repechages. In the final WA got the best start but Victoria took the lead off them quickly with both NSW and WA pressing closely. By the 1000 metres, Victoria had a 3⁄4 length lead from NSW. The NSW crew had a big effort through the third 500 metres to bridge the gap. This was repelled with 400 metres to go by the Victorians who won by 3⁄4 length.

Distance: 2000 metres
Time: 7.27.8
Margin: 3 lengths

1st NSW no 1– Stuart A Mackenzie
2nd NSW no 2 – Mervyn T Wood
3rd TAS – Graham Squires
4th WA No 1 – Gerry Hubbard
VIC eliminated in repechage– Don R Dudgeon
QLD eliminated in repechage – J Ken Goswell
WA No 2 eliminated in repechage – John G Rosser
SA eliminated in repechage – Peter Machin

The sculling race allowed several scullers from each State because it was the selection event for the 1956 Olympic Games. In the final, Hubbard lead early but was quickly taken by both Mackenzie and Wood. These two scullers then started a great struggle with Mackenzie leading by a length at the 1000 metre mark. Mackenzie then drew away to win by 3 lengths.

1st NSW – Bow: Noelene Watson, 2: Helen Bryde, 3: Doreen Addison, Str: Pauline Thom, Cox: Lionel Robberds, Cch: George Neilson
2nd QLD – Bow: J Duval, 2: A Sue, 3: J Dunphy, Str: V Weber, Cox: Mr K Walsh
3rd SA