Australia has been competing in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015 but has been broadcasting the contest since the 1970s, learn more about Australia’s history in Eurovision.
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest was first broadcast in Australia in 1971, making it the country outside Europe with the longest relationship with the Eurovision Song Contest. SBS, who organise Australia’s participation in the contest, has aired the contest since 1972, and since 2009 has sent its own commentary team to the contest.
In 2015, Australia was invited as a guest to compete in the 60th anniversary edition of the contest in Vienna, Austria. They were automatically qualified for the Grand Final, creating a 27-song final. Australia has participated annually as an invited participant by the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group.
The results of the Australian entries in the contest are:
- 2015 – Guy Sebastian – “Tonight Again” – 5th – 196 points
- 2016 – Dami Im – “Sound of Silence” – 2nd – 511 points
- 2017 – Isaiah – “Don’t Come Easy” – 9th – 173 points
- 2018 – Jessica Mauboy – “We Got Love” – 20th – 99 points
- 2019 – Kate Miller-Heidke – “Zero Gravity” – 9th – 284 points
- 2020 – Montaigne – “Don’t Break Me” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Montaigne – “Technicolour” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 28 points
- 2022 – Sheldon Riley – “Not the Same” – 15th – 125 points
- 2023 – Voyager – “Promise” – 9th – 151 points
- 2024 – Electric Fields – “One Milkali (One Blood)” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 41 points
- 2025 – Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 41 points
- 2026 – Delta Goodrem – “Eclipse” – 4th – 287 points
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Prior to competing in the contest, SBS aired the competition from its launch in 2003. In the two years before its debut, SBS introduced commentary to its coverage.
Australia was announced as making its debut in the children’s version of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. Participation in the contest was first organised by SBS before moving to the ABC from 2017. Australia has made five appearances in the contest:
- 2015 – Bella Paige – “My Girls” – 8th – 64 points
- 2016 – Alexa Curtis – “We Are” – 5th – 202 points
- 2017 – Isabella Clarke – “Speak Up” – 3rd – 172 points
- 2018 – Jael – “Champion” – 3rd – 201 points
- 2019 – Jordan Anthony – “We Will Rise” – 8th – 121 points`
Eurovision Asia
In March 2016, the EBU and SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) of Australia signed a deal to establish the Asian version of the Eurovision Song Contest starting in 2017. The deal gave the channel the exclusive rights to create the contest in Asia, which would be open to around 20 countries.
In the autumn of 2018, it was reported in the Australian press that the Gold Coast was in discussions regarding hosting the competition. The contest was provisionally scheduled for between November 30 to December 7, 2019.
In May 2021, SBS formally confirmed that it was no longer pursuing plans to create Eurovision Asia. The broadcaster had spent five years promoting the format and working with various broadcasters across the continent before returning the rights to the European Broadcasting Union.
On the day of the announcement of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, SBS, which organises Australia’s Eurovision participation, confirmed they would not be competing in Bangkok.
Our Sound – The Asia-Pacific Song Contest
Our Sound was the first attempt to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to the Asia-Pacific region. The contest was due to be held in 2010 by a private company that had purchased the rights to an Asia-Pacific version of the contest.
Australia was among the countries announced as competing in the contest, and a selection was launched in July 2010 before the contest was cancelled in 2011 without ever being held. Read more below:
Australia and other Eurovision family events
Australian broadcaster SBS has also broadcast a number of other Eurovision family events over the years. These include:
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Choir – 2017
- Eurovision Dance Contest – 2008
- Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light – 2020
- Eurovision Song Contest’s Greatest Hits – 2015
- Eurovision Young Musicians – 1986, 2004
Find out more about Australia’s participation in Song Contests across the globe here.
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image source: EBU / Alma Bengtsson