A new report has for the first time quantified the economic, social, and cultural heavy lifting undertaken by Australia's community radio music stations to discover and nurture grassroots Australian talent.
The report's lead author, Associate Professor Shane Homan from Monash University's School of Media, Film and Journalism, said the findings highlight the critical role of community radio at a time when global streaming algorithms are making it harder for Australian artists to be heard.
"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."
The report used a Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to map the value of volunteer hours, local airplay, and artist promotion against commercial sector benchmarks. Researchers also utilised a nationally representative survey of 9,915 Australians conducted by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA), as well as financial and airplay data from 10 case-study stations, interviews with station staff, listeners and leading Australian musicians.
The research found that community radio stations were a key source of local music discovery and spending. In 2023, 30 per cent of weekly listeners (1.6 million Australians) discovered a local or emerging artist by listening to community radio. Twenty-eight per cent of listeners looked up an artist on digital platforms like Spotify after hearing them on community radio, while 19 per cent recommended an artist to friends or shared them online, and more than 1.3 million listeners went on to buy merchandise, music or gig tickets.
Associate Professor Homan said despite more than one million Australians stating community radio is the only broadcaster that plays the Australian music that they want to listen to, the value of this sector is being overlooked by the broader music industry.
"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.
The report also underscores the vital role of First Nations community radio stations, which make up one third of the country's top 39 most music-intensive stations. This high volume of local content fosters a sense of ownership and belonging to Indigenous community radio stations among First Nations listeners, with 60 per cent of weekly listeners reporting that the music directly enriches their cultural experience and deserves financial support.
Beyond its cultural and financial impact, the sector serves as a critical training ground for Australia's future music media workforce. In an average year, 136,687 volunteer hours are logged across the project's 10 case-study stations. Much of the on-the-job training gained by volunteer program hosts and producers makes them employable in the commercial and public service media sectors and is equivalent to the cost of a one-year Diploma qualification.
The findings confirm that community radio is far more than a local service. By sustaining local artists, audiences, and the workforce of tomorrow, community radio remains the lifeblood of Australian music.
The research is being launched today (Monday 18 May) at the Victorian Music Development Office conference, Music Data and Insights Summit 2026. The report was an Australia Research Council-funded research project, conducted by Associate Professor Shane Homan (Monash University), Professor Susan Forde (Griffith University), Professor Heather M. Anderson (Monash University), Sarah Hellyer (Monash University), Dr Nat Kassel (Griffith University) and Dr Erin Mclean (Griffith University), between 2023-2026. Creative Australia was an industry partner, along with the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA), the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) and APRA AMCOS.
