Australia’s top music radio stations give audio fans across the country access to tons of fantastic programs and playlists every day.
While Australian music lovers, like the rest of us, have all the convenient ways of listening to music, from online streams to digital downloads, radio remains as popular as ever. Australia is one of the few places in the world where the number of radio listeners is growing steadily.
In 2022, a GfK survey found that the number of weekly radio listeners in Australia has increased by eight per cent since the previous year, creating around 12 million avid radio fans.
Other reports suggest that around 71 per cent of Australia’s population now listens to the radio regularly. That adds up to around 15.6 million Australians consuming more audio every day.
So, with the demand for radio stations continuing to grow, how do you find the best stations for listening to music?
Today we are going to list some of Australia’s most popular music-oriented radio stations as of 2023 and examine options from different genres.
The 12 best music radio stations in Australia
There are over 300 commercial radio stations and 400 community radio stations across Australia.
In other words, if you’re looking for a way to fix your music, you should have plenty of options.
Because everyone’s definition of “best” radio station is different, we’ve focused on the most popular stations with the highest listenership and acclaim right now.
However, we’ve tried to cover a range of channel styles as well, so you’re sure to find something you like whether you’re into pop or hip-hop.
1. Triple J
Arguably one of Australia’s best-known radio stations, Triple J is a state-funded national channel catering to fans of ‘alternative music’.
Available on FM, DAB and online channels, Triple J began broadcasting in 1975 and has a strong focus on Australian content, with local artists and creators being highlighted.
Triple J frequently features different styles of new and alternative music, local artists and specialty programming across genres. It also covers current events and news from a youth-oriented perspective.
Listeners can also tune in to find out about upcoming gigs and events.
Website: Triple J
2. Double J
While Triple J focuses on reaching a younger audience with alternative music, Double J aims at a slightly older audience.
Positioned as a spin-off of the youth-oriented Triple J, it emphasizes genres such as blues, rock, pop, country, soul, jazz, and world music.
Currently, the channel is mostly automated, but occasionally includes live broadcasts and events.
In 2022, a group of singer-songwriters even wrote to the federal communications minister to ask Double J to obtain an FM license so the channel could broadcast outside of the digital landscape.
Website: Double J
3. The Nova Network
The Nova Network is a collection of five radio stations owned by the larger Nova Entertainment.
Each station has its own breakfast show, with daytime, driving, and nighttime program segments designed specifically for each audience.
As a rule, listeners can expect a mature contemporary format with top hits from various genres on each station.
Notably, the initial music selections on the Nova Network channels were similar to Triple J before the group migrated to a more commercial format.
The radio station is particularly popular with women aged 45 and 54 across Australia.
Website: Nova
4. 2-day FM
2Day FM broadcasts in Sydney on a frequency of 104.1MHz and is part of the Southern Cross Austereo Hit Network.
First launched in 1980, 2Day FM was one of the first three Australian stations to be granted new FM broadcasting licenses that year.
The original owners were well-known media personalities such as Graham Kennedy and John Laws.
Originally the show focused on easy listening music before branching out to pop, rock, hip hop and dance music in the late 1980s and beyond.
Today the playlists follow the Hot Adult Contemporary format with a variety of songs to listen to. 2Day FM also has a digital radio station and smartphone app for tech-savvy listeners.
Website: 2DayFM
5. KIIS 106.5
KIIS 1065, operating in Sydney, is a commercial channel operating on the 106.5 MHz frequency.
It is one of the flagship channels on the ARN KIIS network and hosts the headline show, The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
First broadcast in 1925, KIIS has a relatively long history on Australian airwaves. It started out as 2UW, an AM radio station, before evolving.
2UW was at times one of Australia’s most innovative radio stations, particularly in the 1960s.
Today the station broadcasts a CHR Top 40 format presenting the latest trend music.
Website: KIIS 106.5
6. ABC Classics
ABC Classic, formerly ABC-FM, is an Australian classical music broadcaster available both in the Australian region and internationally.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and the station’s playlists often include news segments as well.
ABC Classic broadcasts classical music, opera, live concerts and recitals. Live music is an important part of the programme, with many shows being broadcast and later accessible online.
In addition, the station hosts several special events throughout the year, such as AusMusic Month and the Classic 100 Countdown.
Website: ABC Classic
7. 3RRR
Known simply as “Triple R”, 3RRR is an Australian community radio station based in Melbourne.
It was first broadcast in 1976 as the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology student radio station.
The channel focuses on educating, informing and entertaining its listeners with a variety of programming, news and music.
In 2016, 3RRR was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame. Today it currently has hundreds of thousands of listeners every week.
Here the listeners can expect different styles of music from rock to hip-hop to electronic music.
Website 3RRR
8. Triple M
Another famous Australian music channel with the word “Triple” in its name is Triple M.
Southern Cross Austereo operates this commercial radio network. It has 40 stations, all broadcasting the same mainstream rock music format.
The station began as Triple M Sydney and started broadcasting in 1980. Over the years the network has expanded and new locations have sprung up across the country.
Triple M even launched its digital radio channel and has participated in several inventive marketing tactics over the years.
In 2010, for example, she launched the pop-up station High Voltage Radio, which only played AC/DC.
Website: Triple M
9. PBS-FM
PBS FM, also known as the Progressive Broadcasting Service, is a community radio station (cooperative owned) based in Melbourne, broadcasting on 106.7 FM, DAB and online formats.
In 2019, the station celebrated its 40th anniversary.
PBS is a relatively unique radio station in Australia that focuses on specialized contemporary and progressive music.
The station offers about 80 shows per week that focus on highlighting musical diversity.
Station volunteers also have the option to choose their content exclusively, rather than following a specific format.
Website: PBSFM
10. Smooth 95.3
Smooth 95.3 is owned by Nova Entertainment and is a Sydney-based commercial radio station broadcasting on the 95.3 MHz wavelength.
Unlike Nova Entertainment’s other radio brand, which focuses heavily on pop and rock, Smooth was created with a focus on easy-listening songs.
The station’s playlists contain titles from the 1950s to the present day.
Although it caters to a relatively niche audience, Smooth 95.3 has gained a lot of popularity over the years. In 2015 it was crowned the number one FM station in Australia with a market share of 8.2 per cent.
That’s quite a lot when you factor in all the stations active in Australia today!
Website: Smooth 95.3
11.96FM
96FM, also known as 6NOW, is a commercial FM radio station based in Perth, Western Australia. ARN now owns it but was formerly part of Village Roadshow and Fairfax Media.
At its inception, 96FM was Perth’s first commercial FM station. It was also the first station in Australia to play music from CDs.
By 1986, 96FM had reached number one in Perth radio ratings. Though its audience has varied over the years, it remains a popular channel to this day.
The station focuses primarily on active rock music from current artists in the Australian countryside.
Website: 96FM
12th WSFM
101.7 WSFM is one of Australia’s top music radio stations based in Sydney.
The playlist on the channel mostly revolves around commercial music and focuses on classic hits from the 1960s to the present day. However, 80s hits are the most common on the channel.
WSFM is part of the Pure Gold Network, owned by ARN. It broadcasts on the 101.7 FM frequency with two repeaters in the MacArthur and Richmond/Hawkesbury areas.
Website: WSFM
