Community Radio and Australian Music

Community radio powers Australian music

New research into the value and Social Return on Investment (SROI) of community radio for Australian music highlights the sector’s critical role in supporting artists, audiences and local music communities across the country. The report, developed through national research and fieldwork with community radio stations, musicians and industry stakeholders, found community radio music stations contribute more than $153 million annually to the Australian music industries.

The research also found community radio delivers an average social return of $2.14 for every dollar invested across 292 music-focused stations nationwide. Beyond economics, the report highlights the sector’s role in music discovery, artist development, community connection and amplifying diverse Australian voices.

Community broadcasting has long been at the forefront of championing Australian music, creating pathways for emerging artists, supporting local live music scenes and connecting audiences with sounds and stories they may not hear elsewhere. As recognised in Roadmap 2033, the sector plays an important role in strengthening Australia’s creative and cultural industries.

Community radio by the numbers

Community broadcasting is one of Australia’s most important platforms for Australian music and diverse voices.

·         More than 5.39 million Australians listen to community radio every week.

·         Community broadcasting includes more than 500 AM/FM/DAB+ services across Australia.

·         Community radio stations broadcast more than 390,000 hours of Australian music annually.

·         Community radio music stations contribute more than $153 million annually to the Australian music industries.

·         High-intensity music stations alone contribute more than $105 million each year through airplay, artist interviews, live events, training and music promotion.

·         Community radio contributes almost $39 million annually in Australian music airplay value for artists, musicians and venues.

·         62% of listeners say they listen to community radio to hear Australian music.

·         Community broadcasting is powered by approximately 18,100 volunteers.

·         The sector is 100% community controlled and not-for-profit.

·         Roadmap 2033 identifies amplifying Australian music and creative industries as a core strategic priority for the sector’s future.

Acknowledgements

This research was delivered through the Australian Research Council Linkage Project Community Music Radio: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem (2023–2026), led by researchers from Monash University and Griffith University and supported by organisations across the community broadcasting and Australian music sectors.

Special thanks to:

• Australian Research Council
• Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
• Community Broadcasting Foundation
• Creative Australia
• APRA AMCOS
• AMRAP
• Music Australia
• MusicNSW
• First Nations Media Australia
• Community Media Training Organisation

We also acknowledge the contribution of the case study stations, artists, broadcasters, volunteers, listener focus groups and industry representatives who participated in the research, including fbi.radio, Rhema FM, Triple R, RTRFM, 4ZZZ, Three D Radio, Edge Radio, 8CCC, PAW Media and Ngaarda Media.