Australia has graced the Eurovision Song Contest stage 10 times since making its debut in 2015. This year proves no exception, as Australian pop icon Delta Goodrem seeks to clinch her nation's maiden Eurovision victory when she performs in Vienna with her track, Eclipse, marking Australia's eleventh appearance at the competition.
However, given Australia's geographical distance from Europe, numerous fans of the singing competition regularly express bewilderment about the country's participation and question whether it ought to be permitted at all. Despite Australia's involvement in Eurovision spanning more than a decade, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) this week to voice their thoughts on the odd inclusion.
One viewer wrote: "Australia isn't even in Europe, yet somehow it's part of this club," reports the Express. While another penned: "@DeltaGoodrem is a phenomenal singer. She deserves to win. But I still don't understand what on earth is #Australia doing being in Eurovision to begin with. It makes no sense??!!"
So what's the reason behind Australia's participation?
Australia's Special Broadcasting Service, widely referred to as SBS, holds associate membership status with the European Broadcasting Union. The broadcaster first transmitted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1983 and has screened the competition every year since. Eurovision has cultivated a dedicated and substantial following in Australia, with early transmissions featuring either no commentary whatsoever or utilising the BBC's coverage.
From 2010 through 2014, the Special Broadcasting Service enabled Australian viewers to participate in a televote during the Eurovision Song Contest final. These votes, nevertheless, were purely ceremonial and bore no influence on the competition's ultimate results. Back in 2012, when the contest took place in Baku, the SBS commentary team and Australian delegation were granted their own dedicated commentary booth for the first time – a privilege they've enjoyed every year since.
Australia's Eurovision debut in 2015 was initially planned as a one-off appearance, with the understanding they'd only return if they clinched victory. Yet in November 2015, SVT announced that Australia would be back for the 2016 contest, and the nation has been a fixture ever since.
The spectacle consistently delivers impressive viewing figures for the Special Broadcasting Service and has cultivated a devoted and passionate fanbase throughout Australia. Given the European location, Australian broadcasts typically go to air around 5:00 am AEST owing to the time zone gap. Eurovision also garners significant coverage from mainstream Australian media outlets and commands a loyal cult following amongst its most ardent supporters year after year.
The Eurovision Song Contest final airs Saturday 16th May at 8pm on BBC One.
