2025 is a special year for Australia in Eurovision, as it marks the country’s 10th anniversary in the contest! Yes, it’s been a whole decade since Europe collectively decided, “Sure, why not?” and let a country that is literally on the other side of the world join the biggest European song competition. Actually, Australia is the only country outside the European Broadcasting Area to have ever competed in Eurovision!
Australia’s Eurovision Journey
Australia was initially invited in 2015 as a special guest to celebrate Eurovision’s 60th anniversary. The plan was for it to be a one-time thing, but Australia had other ideas. In 2016, they confirmed they were sticking around, and here we are now with 10 years of Australia in the contest.
Their debut in 2015 was with Guy Sebastian and his upbeat banger ‘Tonight Again’, which finished a very respectable 5th place. Not bad for the new kid on the block! But Australia wasn’t just here to make up the numbers—they came to compete. Out of their 10 participations, they’ve reached the top 10 five times, proving they’re not just Eurovision tourists.
The highlight of Australia’s Eurovision journey (so far) came in 2016 when Dami Im almost brought the trophy Down Under with her powerhouse ballad ‘Sound of Silence’, finishing 2nd.
Since then, Australia has continued to bring variety to the contest—from operatic divas on giant poles (2019’s Kate Miller-Heidke) to masked prog-rock chaos (2022’s Voyager).
Australia in Basel
To celebrate their 10th year anniversary, they’re sending viral pop sensation Go-Jo to represent the nation in Basel. Go-Jo, whose real name is Marty Zambotto, hails from Sydney and first captured global attention in 2023 with his hit single “Mrs. Hollywood,” which has over 60 million digital streams and one billion views across various platforms.
Go-Jo’s Eurovision entry, ‘Milkshake Man’, is a cheeky and catchy track co-written with members of the Australian pop band Sheppard—George Sheppard, Amy Sheppard, and Jason Bovino. The song blends pop, rock, and electronic elements, featuring playful lyrics that use the metaphor of a milkshake to celebrate individuality and self-expression.
With his infectious energy and the song’s upbeat message, Australia hopes to make a memorable impact on the Eurovision stage in 2025. Do you think we will see a new country entering the contest next year in Eurovision’s 70th anniversary? Let us know!
