Australia’s community radio music stations contribute an estimated $153 million in annual added value to the local music industry, according to a new report examining the sector’s economic, social and cultural impact.
The report, Community Radio and Australian Music: Building the music media ecosystem, found that community radio stations broadcast more than double the amount of Australian music played by commercial radio networks and served as a key discovery platform for emerging local artists.
The research was led by Shane Homan, Associate Professor at Monash University’s School of Media, Film and Journalism.
Homan said the findings demonstrated the importance of community radio at a time when global streaming platforms were making it harder for Australian artists to gain visibility.
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the Pines festival, 2023.
“Our findings prove that community radio is not just a broadcasting platform; it is the vital infrastructure holding up the broader Australian music industries,” Associate Professor Holman said.
“As digital streaming platforms dominate and local music struggles for visibility, these stations act as the ultimate champions for grassroots talent. They are the essential link connecting local artists with passionate audiences who are eager to discover new music and actually show up to support it.”
Local music discovery and audience spending
The report used a Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to assess the value generated through volunteer hours, local airplay, and artist promotion, and benchmarked it against commercial sector equivalents.
Researchers also drew on a nationally representative survey of 9,915 Australians conducted by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, as well as financial and airplay data from 10 case-study stations and interviews with station staff, listeners and Australian musicians.
According to the findings, 30 per cent of weekly listeners – equivalent to 1.6 million Australians – discovered a local or emerging artist through community radio in 2023.
The report also found:
• 28 per cent of listeners searched for an artist on platforms including Spotify after hearing them on community radio
• 19 per cent recommended artists to friends or shared them online
• More than 1.3 million listeners purchased merchandise, music or gig tickets after discovering artists through community radio
Associate Professor Homan said the sector continued to serve audiences overlooked by mainstream platforms.
“These listeners aren’t just passive consumers; they are a dedicated audience that the commercial platforms are failing to serve. Community radio is filling a gap, providing the essential support for Australian artists that is increasingly absent elsewhere in the industry,” he said.
A case study example from the report.
First Nations radio and workforce development
The report also highlighted the role of First Nations community radio stations, which account for one-third of the country’s top 39 most music-intensive stations.
Among First Nations weekly listeners, 60 per cent said the music broadcast on Indigenous community radio enriched their cultural experience and deserved financial support.
Beyond audience engagement, the report found the sector remained an important training pathway for future media workers.
Across the 10 case-study stations, volunteers contributed 136,687 hours annually, with much of the training undertaken by presenters and producers considered equivalent to a one-year Diploma qualification.
The report concluded that community radio continued to play a significant role in sustaining Australian artists, audiences and future music industry workers.
Main image: Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash