ARIA Urges Stronger Rules to Boost Australian Music on Local Radio

Want Australian music to make an impact? Play it when people are actually listening.

That’s the message from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which today issued an urgent call for stronger rules to support local music on commercial radio.

In a new push for reform, ARIA is urging updates to the Commercial Radio Code to ensure Australian music is played during peak listening hours, when audiences are actually tuned in.

“The Code must guarantee Aussie music gets heard during peak listening hours – not shuffled into off-peak slots,” reads ARIA’s statement issued on Monday (April 7th).

While current regulations require 25% Australian content on commercial radio, ARIA is calling for stricter enforcement – and a rethink of what qualifies as “new music.” Redefining that term, they argue, would help emerging local artists break through and ensure the Code better serves younger and more diverse audiences.

“There are already rules in place to support Australian content,” says ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd. “But without proper enforcement, they’re not doing the job. CRA believe the current system is fair and effective – that’s simply not the case.”

According to ARIA, commercial radio has shown “pockets of positive change,” but no formal proposal for reform has been put forward by industry body Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA). Stronger content rules, they say, would better connect audiences with Australian sounds, talent, and stories.

“These rules exist to serve Australian radio audiences,” Herd continues. “Effective rules and better enforcement will have a big impact on our local culture and the listening experience for all Australians. But change is not a given: CRA erroneously believe the current system is fair and effective. While there are pockets of positive change happening in commercial radio, CRA have not and will not propose any reform. To shape a system that better connects our audiences, talent, sounds, and stories – we need people to speak up.”

Submissions for the Code review close on Sunday, May 18th.

Have your say at cra.au/code-review