Canberra considers plan to sustain community broadcasting

Posted on 11 Mar 2025

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

Legislative reforms aimed at modernising community broadcasting operations are among a range of recommendations contained in a new report designed to boost the sustainability of the sector.

The Community Broadcasting Sector Sustainability Review commenced in March 2023 with an independent evaluation of the Community Broadcasting Program (CBP).

This was followed by the release of a discussion paper in June 2024 and extensive consultation with industry and peak sector bodies and the public.

The review found that faced with falling revenue and rising operational costs, some community broadcasters were forced to rely on CBP funding to survive.

The recently released findings report identified opportunities to make the CBP more effective by examining funding priorities, processes and outcomes.

The report made four recommendations to government relating to three priority areas of CBP funding:

structure and outcomes
legislative and regulatory changes
funding and licensing of the of the First Nations broadcasting and media sector.

Changes to CBP grants, funding priorities, granting streams, processes, and outcomes
Reforms to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA) to allow the sector to stabilise and modernise its operations, and to update relevant community broadcasting guidelines and processes
Development of a First Nations broadcasting strategy to improve delivery of Indigenous broadcasting and media program funding in line with Closing the Gap priority reforms
Legislative reforms to bring First Nations broadcasters to licence areas that don’t have one.

An additional three recommendations were directed at the community broadcasting sector.

Increase revenue from other sources, including through content sales, collaboration with other community broadcasters and non-broadcasting organisations, and on-air and off-air promotional material
Centralise services and resources such as technicians, journalists, and data collection for the benefit of a locality, a region, or the wider community broadcasting sector
Support community broadcasters in understanding legislation and licence conditions; and with business development, governance, revenue diversification and other needs with the aim of promoting sustainability.

“Community broadcasting is at the heart of local communities, providing millions of Australians with localised and diverse news, information, and entertainment. It’s vital to a strong and healthy media landscape.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the review – an Albanese government election commitment – recognised the important role of community broadcasters in contributing to local stories and media diversity.

“Community broadcasting is at the heart of local communities, providing millions of Australians with localised and diverse news, information, and entertainment. It’s vital to a strong and healthy media landscape,” said Rowland.

“That’s why we committed to undertaking this review, working closely with industry to identify the best way forward to ensure the community broadcasting sector is sustainable into the future.”

Rowland said the government would now consider the report's findings.

The release of the report follows Canberra’s recent announcement of a three-year, $27 million cash injection for community broadcasting and First Nations media.