Media assets

Television: National- ABC1, ABC Comedy, ABC Me, ABC Kids, ABC News, ABC Arts; Regional- ABN (Sydney, New South Wales), ABV (Melbourne, Victoria), ABQ (Brisbane, Queensland), ABS (Adelaide, South Australia), ABW (Perth, Western Australia), ABT (Hobart, Tasmania), ABC (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory), ABD (Darwin, Northern Territory); Radio: National- ABC Radio Sydney, Radio National, ABC NewsRadio, ABS Sport, ABC Sport Extra, International Rugby, ABC Classic, ABC Jazz, Double J, Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, ABC Country, Kids Listen, Women’s Big Bash League; Local- 54 local radio stations; International- Radio Australia

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded (ISF)

Ownership and governance

The Australian Broadcasting Act 1983 (ABC Act) established the ABC as a statutory authority with a mandate to deliver broadcast services and programming in the public interest.

The ABC is governed by a Board of Directors, which stands as its highest decision-making body. Directors are appointed through a merit-based process designed to limit political interference. An independent Nomination Panel advertises vacancies and, based on applications, shortlists three candidates per position. The federal government selects one of these and recommends the candidate to the Governor-General, Australia’s Monarch-appointed head of state, who makes the final appointment.

The Board comprises non-executive directors appointed by the Governor-General, one staff-elected director, and the Managing Director, who is appointed by the Board itself. Under the ABC Act, all directors must demonstrate professional experience in broadcasting, communications, management, finance, or technical expertise.

This system is expressly intended to insulate the ABC from direct government control, ensuring that appointments are based on professional merit rather than political patronage.

In March 2025, Hugh Marks, a seasoned former CEO of Nine Entertainment, assumed the role of Managing Director (MD) of the ABC for a five-year term. He succeeded David Anderson, who resigned after just one year into his second term. Marks’ appointment was made following a thorough domestic and international search and affirmed by unanimous board vote.

Source of funding and budget

Since 1973, when licence fees on broadcast receivers were abolished, the ABC has been funded primarily through government appropriations. Its budget is reviewed on a three-year cycle, a mechanism designed to allow long-term planning and reduce the risk of political short-termism.

In 2020–2021, ABC received A$1.06 billion (US$755 million) in government funding, accounting for more than 95% of its total income. In 2021–2022, funding rose slightly to A$1.07 billion (US$746 million). In 2022–2023, the appropriation was maintained at A$1.10 billion (US$754 million), supplemented by A$94 million (US$62.7 million) in commercial revenue, according to ABC’s annual report.

The federal government has pledged to sustain its five-year funding allocation, ensuring around A$1.1 billion annually through the mid-2020s. This long-term commitment has provided a degree of financial certainty after several years of cuts and disputes over ABC’s budget in the late 2010s and early 2020s.

In 2024 and into 2025, parliamentary debates over public broadcasting resurged, with some political voices arguing for further scrutiny of ABC’s expenditure. However, the government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stable funding, stressing the broadcaster’s national importance amid rising concerns about disinformation and declining trust in commercial media.

In December 2024, during the Labor government’s mid‑year economic update, the ABC was granted a funding boost: A$83 million over two years starting 2026–27, along with an ongoing A$43 million per year thereafter. This comes with a commitment to legislate five-year funding terms for the ABC and SBS in order to enhance independence and stability.

The ABC’s 2024 annual report revealed government funding of approximately A$1.137 billion, which marked a A$30 million year‑on‑year increase. Despite this funding boost, the broadcaster suffered a loss of 670,000 weekly audience members, averaging 12.3 million across all platforms. A minor technical deficit of A$2.2 million was recorded.

Speaking in April 2025 at the Melbourne Press Club, ABC Chair Kim Williams urged the government to properly invest in the broadcaster, noting the current A$1.1 billion allocation is “extremely low by historical standards”, and that in real terms the ABC now receives over A$150 million less annually than in 2013. He emphasized the broadcaster’s role in maintaining democracy and warned that Australia invests 40% less per capita in public broadcasting than the average of 20 comparable OECD democracies.

Editorial independence

Despite its reliance on government appropriations, the ABC is bound by statutory protections that safeguard its editorial autonomy. The ABC Act enshrines the organisation’s independence in both editorial and administrative matters, expressly forbidding government or political interference in programming decisions.

The ABC is widely recognized for its journalistic standards, impartiality, and its role in upholding the quality of broadcasting in Australia. When political pressure has arisen—whether through critical remarks from politicians or attempts to influence coverage—the ABC has typically responded with robust pushback. Such episodes often lead to parliamentary inquiries or public debate, which, in most cases, reinforce the broadcaster’s autonomy.

To ensure accountability, the ABC develops Codes of Practice, which must be submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The broadcaster is also subject to periodic independent reviews commissioned by the Department of Communications and the Arts, with findings made publicly available.

The ABC also maintains an internal mechanism for audience feedback and editorial complaints. This system not only provides the public with a voice but also serves as an instrument for strengthening performance and credibility.

In 2025, debates around the ABC’s independence intensified after renewed criticism from some government MPs regarding the Corporation’s political coverage and regional service priorities. However, public opinion surveys consistently show that the ABC remains one of the most trusted institutions in Australia, particularly in the field of news and information.

August 2025

Media assets

Television: NiTV, SBS Viceland, SBS Food, SBS World Movies; Radio: SBS Radio

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded (ISF)

Ownership and governance

The statutory underpinnings of SBS were laid by the Broadcasting and Television Amendment Act 1977, bringing the broadcaster into legal existence, followed by the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 (SBS Act), which established SBS as a corporation and enshrined its public charter.

Governance is entrusted to an independent Board of Directors, appointed in a manner akin to that of the ABC. As of mid‑2025, the Board has initiated a leadership transition following the resignation of long‑serving Managing Director James Taylor. Jane Palfreyman, previously Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, has been appointed Acting Managing Director effective 28 August 2025, pending a global search for his successor

Source of funding and budget

From its inception, SBS has combined government appropriations with commercial income. The 1977 Act allowed sponsorships (with ministerial approval), while the 1991 SBS Act authorised the broadcaster to carry advertising under capped limits. Even so, the lion’s share of SBS’s resources continues to derive from state funding.

In the financial year ending 30 June 2021, SBS received a state subsidy of A$296 m (US$211 m), representing nearly 70% of its budget. In the following fiscal year (2021–22), government funding rose to A$310 m, with SBS generating A$153 m in commercial revenue. The government also pledged A$335 m annually for the subsequent five years. For the year ending June 2023, SBS reported A$316.8 m (US$211 m) in state subsidies and nearly A$173 m in self-generated revenue.

According to the 2024–25 Portfolio Budget Statements, SBS’s total revenue is forecast at A$507.8 million, with A$350.3 million from government sources. The 2025–26 forecast projects total revenue of A$537.8 million, comprising A$359.2 million in government funding and A$178.7 million in commercial/own-source revenues.

Editorial independence

SBS, like the ABC, is bound by statutory protections against political interference. The SBS Act 1991 safeguards its editorial and administrative independence, while a robust complaints system, regular government-commissioned performance reviews, and community engagement mechanisms ensure accountability. Public trust in SBS remains high, reflecting its reputation for independence and inclusivity.

There are assessment and oversight mechanisms in place. The Ministry of Communications and the Arts regularly commissions independent reviews of SBS’s performance, and these reports are made public. Moreover, SBS has well-established systems for handling editorial complaints, ensuring transparency in its decision-making and editorial practices. Community engagement is integral to its operation, with numerous avenues for audiences to monitor, follow, and participate in SBS activities.

These structures have largely been respected in practice, and the broadcaster continues to be regarded as one of the country’s most trusted media institutions.

August 2025