The Value of Community Radio Goes Deeper than Dollars

A new report has put a number on what community radio contributes to Australia. But we’ve always known the value of this work can’t be fully measured.

A landmark report from Monash University, Community Radio and Australian Music: Building the Music-Media Ecosystem Final Report May 2026, has for the first time quantified what community radio does for Australian music, and the findings are significant.

Australia’s community radio music stations generate an estimated $153 million in added value to the music industry every year, broadcasting more than double the volume of local music played by commercial networks.

Last year alone, 1.6 million Australians discovered a local or emerging artist through community radio. More than 1.3 million of those listeners went on to buy merchandise, music or gig tickets. More than one million Australians say community radio is the only broadcaster playing the music they actually want to hear.

These aren’t passive listeners. They are people who feel genuinely connected to what they’re hearing.

We understand that connection

We’re not just a radio station. We’re a Christian media ministry, and everything we do, every song we play, every conversation we broadcast, every piece of content we create, flows from a belief that media can carry something deeper than entertainment. It can carry hope.

When someone tunes in on a hard morning and hears something that speaks to where they are, that moment has a value no report can quantify. But it’s real. And it matters.

The spaces streaming can’t fill

Monash University Associate Professor Shane Homan described community radio as “the vital infrastructure holding up the broader Australian music industries”.

As global streaming algorithms prioritise what’s popular over what’s meaningful, community radio remains one of the few spaces where local voices are genuinely heard, where artists at the start of their journey get a chance. It’s where listeners aren’t just fed what an algorithm decided they want.

That’s a gap we feel called to fill, not just for music, but for faith, for community, and for the people who need to know they’re not alone.

The report also highlights the extraordinary contribution of volunteers to community radio, with 136,687 volunteer hours logged across the study’s case stations in an average year. That training is equivalent to the cost of a one-year Diploma qualification.

Behind the scenes at Juice, people are giving their time because they believe in what this ministry does. That’s not just an economic contribution. That’s faithfulness in action.

New national survey highlights the real impact of Christian radio

Recently, other research revealed “Christian radio makes a real difference”.

The 2025 Radio and You Survey, coordinated by CMAA and carried out with Compass Polling, brings together insights from listeners, as well as employees, volunteers and sponsors.

“Listeners are experiencing real impact in their faith, with many describing growth, deeper engagement and stronger spiritual habits. For others, the difference shows up in everyday life, with improved wellbeing, a greater sense of hope and more confidence in the decisions they make,” the survey states.

“There’s also a clear sense of connection. People are feeling part of something bigger, building relationships and responding in practical ways to what they hear on air.

“Christian radio continues to play an important role during challenging times as well, providing trusted information and a sense of reassurance when it’s needed most.

“Behind the scenes, the impact is just as strong. Employees and volunteers speak about increased confidence, new skills and a deeper sense of purpose through their involvement.

“For sponsors, the findings reinforce the value of Christian radio as a meaningful and effective way to connect with audiences and build relationships.”

More than a number

The research is a timely reminder that community radio isn’t background noise. It sustains artists, connects communities and serves the people that commercial media is leaving behind.

That has always been the mission. Not because a report told us so, but because we believe God can use every platform, including this one, to reach people where they are.

We’re grateful to be part of it. And we’re grateful you’re listening.

Feature image: Canva Pro