Commercial radio is a free service operated by for-profit organisations. Commercial radio stations provide news, information, entertainment, sport, music, and emergency information to audiences across Australia.
Commercial radio broadcasters generally rely on advertising revenue, which distinguishes them from national broadcasters, which are publicly funded, and community broadcasters, which are not-for-profit.
There are over 250 commercial AM and FM licensed radio stations in Australia. The Australian Government supports the commercial radio sector by providing advice on broadcasting policy and regulation, including work on radio services, digital radio planning and the regulatory framework that supports commercial radio.
Licensing
Commercial radio licences are issued by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 . The ACMA also issues apparatus licences under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. Both are needed to transmit radio programs.
Commercial radio broadcasters must follow any rules set out in their licence conditions and the ACMA program standards when broadcasting content. These rules include requirements about what can be broadcast.
Information about commercial radio licences is available through the ACMA's broadcasting licensing information and registers.
Codes of practice
The ACMA regulates commercial radio services in Australia using industry codes of practice.
The codes help ensure commercial radio services meet community expectations. They help to:
- maintain standards for content
- provide guidelines for news and current affairs programs
- support responsible advertising and program promotions
- manage complaints.
If you have a complaint about something you've heard on commercial radio, contact the radio broadcaster directly. If you're not happy with the response, you can complain to the ACMA.
Last reviewed: 30 September 2026