The 2026 Federal budget has delivered new support for Australia’s public broadcasters and independent newswire, with funding increases for the ABC, SBS and Australian Associated Press.
The measures include $1.287 billion in federal funding for the ABC in 2026/27, $367.3 million for SBS, and a $15 million top-up for AAP. Commercial television and radio broadcasters will also benefit from a two-year suspension of the commercial broadcasting tax.
What is in the budget for the ABC?
The ABC will receive $1.287 billion in government revenue in 2026/27, up $58.5 million on the current financial year.
The increase includes renewed support for the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy, with an additional $14 million over two years to maintain the ABC’s expanded services across the region.
The broadcaster said the funding would support trusted content, regional media partnerships, and stronger connections with audiences throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Since 2022, the ABC has used Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy funding to double ABC Radio Australia’s FM footprint in the Pacific, double the amount of Pacific-focused radio content, and establish the Pacific Local Journalism Network.
The funding has also supported two tailored ABC Australia television streams for Asia and the Pacific, expanded digital and social content, and more than 20 content-sharing agreements with national broadcasters across the region.
Hugh Marks, ABC Managing Director, said the renewed funding recognised the broadcaster’s role in Australia’s regional engagement.
“Since the launch of the government’s Pacific Engagement initiatives in 2022, the ABC has welcomed the opportunity to expand our reach, deepen audience engagement and support local media capacity across the Indo-Pacific,” Marks said.
“We look forward to continuing this important work in advancing the region’s access to reliable, trusted information, growth in media, skills and improvement in information distribution infrastructure, to benefit audiences in the region and deliver strong value for public investment.”
Hugh Marks. Image: ABC
Claire Gorman, ABC Head International, said the funding would help sustain the ABC’s reach amid growing regional competition and misinformation.
“In an uncertain geopolitical environment, trusted media is critical,” Gorman said.
“This renewal allows the ABC to keep engaging audiences across the region, share the story of modern Australia and bring important stories back to Australian audiences from our neighbours.
“We look forward to growing the ABC’s soft power impact in this increasingly complex world.”
What is in the budget for SBS?
SBS will receive $367.3 million from the federal government in 2026/27, an increase of $7.3 million on the current financial year.
The multilingual broadcaster, which also draws revenue from advertising, is projected to receive $394 million in taxpayer support by the end of the decade.
SBS is also set to receive $3 million over three years to extend a podcast series, according to AAP.
Staffing at SBS is expected to shift only slightly, with average staffing levels forecast to fall from 1,369 to 1,363 next financial year.
What is in the budget for AAP?
Australian Associated Press will receive a $15 million top-up from the federal government to support its financial sustainability.
The additional money brings total federal funding for AAP in 2026/27 to $26 million.
Emma Cowdroy, AAP Chief Executive, said the funding would help secure the newswire’s future.
“At a time when the news media industry around the world is in a perilous position, AAP’s role in feeding high levels of factual, accurate, primary-source journalism into the information ecosystem is of critical importance,” Cowdroy said.
Emma Cowdroy
Commercial broadcasters get tax relief
The budget also includes a two-year suspension of the commercial broadcasting tax, giving financial relief to television and radio broadcasters.
The measure is expected to save the sector $111.3 million over five years.
The government has also renewed its commitment to progress the news media bargaining incentive, which is designed to encourage digital platforms to compensate publishers for news content.
Under proposed settings, platforms that strike deals with media companies would pay 1.5 per cent of revenue to the government, compared with 2.25 per cent if no deal is reached.
The measures land as Australian media companies continue to face advertising softness, rising operating costs, and pressure from global digital platforms.