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Commercial Radio & Audio says total radio revenue in Australia reached AU$273.1 million in the third quarter of 2025, a year-on-year decline of 4 percent. The figures cover the country’s commercial radio sector, which includes major metropolitan broadcasters and an extensive network of regional stations.
According to CRA, digital audio revenue rose 12.1% to AU$26.7 million, while metro broadcast revenue totaled AU$156.7 million, down 5% year on year. Regional revenue totaled AU$89.8 million, a 6% decrease. The organization says soft advertising conditions affected traditional broadcast performance, but the sector’s digital growth outpaced the broader Australian digital advertising market, which grew 3.5% in the same period.
When budgets are under pressure, we know for a fact that audio delivers
Lizzie Young, CEO of CRA
CRA says its members now hold 33% of Australia’s AU$82 million digital audio market, up from 30% a year earlier. The figures are sourced from the IAB Australia Internet Advertising Revenue Report for the quarter ending Sept. 2025.
Navigating tight budgets
Lizzie Young, CEO of CRA, said, “The advertising market has been challenging, but the digital audio growth we’re seeing validates our long-term strategy. Advertisers want efficiency and accountability. They need simplified access to premium inventory that delivers effective outcomes. That’s exactly what we’ve built.”
Young said the launch of CRA Audio ID in November provides “a unified cross-network identity solution enabling brands to plan, buy and optimize premium digital inventory across ARN, Nine, Nova Entertainment and Southern Cross Austereo in one simplified workflow.”
She added that CRA’s Power of Audio campaign remains central to helping brands navigate tight budgets. “When budgets are under pressure, we know for a fact that audio delivers. Research shows that allocating just 11% of media spend to radio can double campaign effectiveness. Coupled with creative fluency, brands can even double the double. For brands navigating uncertainty, that’s not a nice-to-have — it’s a competitive advantage.”
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