This research reports on the contribution of community radio to the Australian music industries. In exploring this, the project team conducted in-depth fieldwork at ten community radio stations; interviewed eight established and emerging Australian musicians, and carried out a complex and comprehensive social return on investment analysis and net value analysis of the sector’s contribution to Australian music based on this data. 

Key findings

• Community radio contributes about $153 million in net value to the Australian music industries every year, with some stations returning up to $5.55 for every dollar invested in the sector. 
• The average high-intensity music stations returns almost $2.50 for every dollar invested or spent on producing the wide range of music activities the sector undertakes, such as coordinating live gigs, promoting artists, airplay, in-studio recordings and live performances, and outside broadcasts. 
• The sector's role in providing airplay and promotion for new and emerging artists is significant. It plays more than double the Australian music content of the commercial radio sector.