You’ve seen the memes. Every May, without fail, a confused viewer somewhere in Europe logs onto X (formerly Twitter) and types the same five words: "Wait, why is Australia here?" It's a fair question if you’re looking at a map. Australia is roughly 14,000 kilometers away from the heart of Europe. Yet, since 2015, they’ve become one of the most consistent, high-effort contenders in the game.
Honestly, the "Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest" saga is one of the weirdest and most successful experiments in modern television history.
What started as a one-off birthday present for the contest's 60th anniversary has morphed into a decade-long residency. But here's the thing: Australia isn't just "there." They’ve actually been outperforming half the "Big Five" countries for years. From Dami Im nearly snatching the trophy in 2016 to the synth-metal chaos of Voyager in 2023, the Aussies have brought a level of professional polish that most countries would kill for.
The "One-Night Stand" That Never Ended
Back in 2015, the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) invited Australia to compete as a special guest. The reasoning was simple: Australians have a bizarre, deep-seated obsession with Eurovision that dates back to the 1980s. SBS, the national broadcaster, had been airing the show since 1983, building a massive cult following.
Guy Sebastian was the first to take the stage with "Tonight Again." He was meant to be a one-time participant. If he won, Australia would get to stay; if he lost, they’d go back to being just fans.
He finished 5th.
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The reception was so massive, and the ratings so high, that the EBU basically said, "Actually, stay for one more year." Then another. By 2019, they signed a five-year contract ensuring Australia’s spot until 2023. Even though that contract has now expired, SBS continues to negotiate yearly extensions. For 2025, they’ve already locked in their spot for Basel, Switzerland, proving the "invite" is basically a permanent fixture now.
What Happens if They Actually Win?
This is the biggest misconception about Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest. People think that if Australia wins, we’re all flying to Sydney or Perth the following year.
Nope.
The EBU rules are very specific: Australia cannot host. If they take the top spot, SBS has to partner with a European broadcaster to co-host the event on European soil. For a long time, the rumor was they’d pick Germany or the UK as their "base." It’s a logistical nightmare avoided, but a heartbreak for Aussie fans who want to see the glitter cannons fire at 8:00 PM local time instead of 5:00 AM.
High Highs and Brutal Lows: The Track Record
Australia’s run has been a rollercoaster. They started with five consecutive Top 10 finishes—a feat almost unheard of for a newcomer.
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- Dami Im (2016): The closest they ever got. "Sound of Silence" won the jury vote by a landslide but was overtaken by Ukraine’s Jamala in the televote. She finished 2nd.
- Kate Miller-Heidke (2019): She performed "Zero Gravity" while swinging on top of a 5-meter flexible pole. It was peak Eurovision. She won her semi-final and finished 9th in the final.
- The Drought: The "invincibility" wore off eventually. In 2021, Montaigne became the first Australian to miss the Grand Final. She couldn't even travel to Rotterdam because of COVID-19 restrictions, performing via a "live-on-tape" recording from a studio in Sydney. It felt disconnected, and the voters noticed.
Then there was the 2024 heartbreak. Electric Fields, a duo that brought Indigenous Yankunytjatjara language to the stage for the first time, narrowly missed out on the final, finishing 11th in their semi. It was a wake-up call. The "new toy" factor has faded. Australia now has to fight just as hard as Moldova or Estonia to get a seat at the table.
The 2025 Strategy: Milkshake Man
For the 2025 contest in Basel, SBS has gone with internal selection again. The choice? Go-Jo (Marty Zambotto) with the track "Milkshake Man."
It’s a pivot. After the atmospheric, cultural weight of Electric Fields, Go-Jo is bringing high-energy, viral-ready pop. It’s a gamble. Some fans think it's too "TikTok," while others argue it’s exactly the kind of fun energy Australia needs to get back into the Saturday night lineup.
Why Do They Keep Being Invited?
Money and Passion.
Broadcasting rights aren't free, and SBS pays a significant participation fee. Beyond the cash, Australian fans are some of the most dedicated in the world. They fly across the globe in "green and gold" sequins, they stay up all night to vote, and they treat the contest with a level of respect that some European countries have lost.
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Also, it helps that they send "quality." Australia rarely sends a "joke" entry. They treat it like the Olympics of Pop.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Australian journey this year, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Semi-Finals: Australia is no longer "safe." Since 2016, they have to qualify just like everyone else (except the Big Five).
- Check the Time: If you’re in Australia, the live shows usually start at 5:00 AM AEST. If you want to vote, you have to be awake for the live broadcast; watching the replay on SBS On Demand in the evening is great for the vibes, but your vote won't count then.
- The "Rest of the World" Vote: If you are an Aussie fan living abroad, you can vote via the "Rest of the World" online platform if your current country isn't participating.
Australia has proven that Eurovision isn't about geography—it's about a specific brand of musical madness that they happen to do very, very well. Whether Go-Jo brings the trophy to a co-hosted London or Berlin remains to be seen, but the "Aussie era" is far from over.
To stay updated on the latest rehearsals and jury scores for the upcoming contest, keep an eye on the official SBS Eurovision portal and the EBU’s press releases as we approach the May live shows.