Now it’s official: despite its key role in developing the format, Australia will not participate in Eurovision Asia.
Australia, despite its geographical location, has become one of the countries most strongly associated with the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years. Now, with Eurovision Asia returning to the spotlight, it seems that the connection to Europe continues to strengthen. Australia’s national broadcaster SBS has clarified that it will not take part in Eurovision Asia, despite its significant involvement in developing the format.
Australia Out – Despite Strong Ties
Ten countries have already been announced as the first participants in the new contest, with the production leaving the door open for additional countries to join in the future. Australia, which has become an integral part of Eurovision since its official debut in 2015, is not included in the list, despite its major role in shaping the format.
In an official statement, SBS explained its decision not to participate at this stage while reaffirming its belief in the brand:
“SBS has long recognised the strong appetite for Eurovision and its unique ability to connect audiences through music and shared cultural moments. While SBS is not competing in this newly announced Eurovision Asia initiative, we’re pleased to see continued interest in celebrating these kinds of connections across the region and will be watching with interest as it develops.”
Surprise or Strategic Move?
Australia’s decision raises many questions, especially given its involvement in developing the “Eurovision Asia” format. As early as March 2016, Eurovision Asia was announced as an official initiative of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in collaboration with SBS, with a vision of creating a large-scale regional version similar to the European contest.
At the time, reports indicated that around 16 countries were expected to participate in the inaugural edition, with initial plans to host the first contest in Gold Coast, Australia, as early as 2019. However, the large-scale project encountered logistical, financial, and organizational challenges and did not materialize as originally planned.
According to Paul Clarke, former Head of the Australian Eurovision delegation, SBS continued to view the Asian project as a significant goal even after the COVID-19 period. However, in 2021, SBS announced its withdrawal from the initiative, a move widely interpreted as shelving the concept. Despite this, the rights to the format were retained and later transferred to the company Voxovation. Now, nearly a decade after the original announcement, the project appears to be returning to life. In its current version, however, the broadcaster has chosen to step back. Despite being one of the key forces behind promoting the initiative, Australia is not rushing to take part.
What Does This Mean for Eurovision Asia’s Future?
Australia’s absence from the new contest highlights a broader point: while it is not part of Europe geographically, it remains an integral part of Eurovision itself. The new platform may create a regional opportunity, but for countries already at the heart of the European stage, there is little incentive to shift elsewhere.
Australia’s lack of interest in participating may impact the contest’s appeal to other countries. On the other hand, the very existence of the initiative, along with interest from many countries in the region, demonstrates the continued expansion of the Eurovision brand into new markets.
For Eurovision fans, this is an intriguing development: is this merely a temporary decision, or a sign that the Asian contest is not yet mature enough to attract all major players? Either way, it appears that Eurovision Asia will move forward even without Australia. All that remains is to wait and see whether it can recreate the magic of the European contest.
Australia at Eurovision 2026
“Eclipse” performed by Delta Goodrem will represent Australia in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. The song, co-written by Delta Goodrem, Ferras Alqaisi, Jonas Myrin and Michael Fatkin.
The song presents a powerful, almost cosmic love story, one that feels as though the universe itself is aligning to bring two people together. Imagery of moonlit shadows, stars in the sky, and planets aligning emphasizes a sense of destiny and perfect timing, a love that did not happen by chance but was written in the stars. Their connection is portrayed as a rare moment in which time stands still, the world fades away, and only love remains. In the chorus, the emotion intensifies with the words “One touch, one kiss”, a single touch and a single kiss that hold within them a lifetime of anticipation. The repetition reinforces the intensity and totality of the feeling: when they kiss, they become one entity, rising above gravity and everyday reality. The overall atmosphere is romantic, larger than life, and optimistic, carrying a sense of a new beginning that promises a shared future filled with light and stars.
Currently, Australia is ranked 4th in the betting tables ahead of Eurovision 2026.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Australia’s 11th participation in Eurovision. Australia joined the competition in 2015 and got its best result at Eurovision 2016 when singer Dami Im got second place with her song “Sound of Silence”.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +972-50-9441919
Neta Geffen is a respected journalist at Euromix, Israel’s leading news site for Eurovision coverage. Since 2010, Neta has been closely following the Eurovision Song Contest, bringing with him extensive experience, profound knowledge, and a broad understanding of the history, politics, and cultural influences that shape the event every year.
Neta publishes articles, analyses, and up-to-date reviews on all Eurovision developments, including musical trends, format changes, political influences, and audience reactions across Europe and Israel. Thanks to a deep connection to the contest’s history, Neta provides readers with wide-ranging context—from the impact of political events on results, to in-depth analyses of songs and languages within the competition. Neta specializes particularly in the Eurovision rock genre, Balkan ballads, and native language entries, with a special focus on Italian and Greek songs.
