Commercial Radio Australia

National industry body representing commercial radio broadcasters in Australia

Commercial Radio Australia is a nation-wide industry body acting on behalf of Australia’s commercial radio broadcasters. It provides services for both AM and FM frequencies.

Commercial Radio Australia pursues a range of issues on behalf of its member stations. The staff of Commercial Radio Australia specialise in areas such as industrial relations, human resources, marketing, industry events management, industry regulation, advertising advice, audience surveys and research and digital radio. They also have an overall knowledge of members’ needs.

Membership is open to Australian companies that hold a section 36 or section 39 commercial radio broadcasting service license that entitles them to provide radio services in the broadcasting services bands.

Commercial radio broadcasting began in 1925. Commercial Radio Australia Ltd was established in 1930 as the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters (FARB). FARB became an incorporated company in 1993 and changed its name to Commercial Radio Australia Limited in 2002. FARB was founded with 33 members. Today Commercial Radio Australia Ltd has 260 members, representing 99% of commercial radio licensees on air.

In recent times there has been a consolidation of radio station ownership. Commercial member radio stations are now owned by over 30 operators, with 80 per cent of the stations formed into 12 networks.

Last updated by Alexander Rayner (2009-10-20)