Australia is back in Eurovision!

They were only meant to participate last year to celebrate Eurovision Song Contest's 60th anniversary, but now EBU has decided to give Australia another chance at Eurovision.

Executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand, EBU says:
» The feedback we got from viewers, fans, press and the broadcasters after Australia's participation in Vienna was overwhelmingly positive. We strongly believe the Eurovision Song Contest has the potential to evolve organically into a truly global event. Australia's continued participation is an exciting step in that direction. It remains to be seen what such an event may look like in the long run«

At Eurovision Song Contest 2015 Australia was represented by Guy Sebastian and finished 5th in the Grand Final with the song "Tonight Again". Australia was granted a wildcard, with the right to vote in both semi-finals, and with a secured place in the Grand Final.

Will Australia become a permanent participant in Eurovision?

Australia is not guaranteed a direct qualification to the Grand Final in Stockholm but must go through a semi-final, as is the case with the other countries, except Big-5 and Sweden (host).

It is still unclear if this means that Australia is now guaranteed a permanent place in the annual competition.

If Australia wins, another country will get to host the next year's event in Europe in cooperation with the Australian broadcaster, SBS. In this case Australia will be able to participate again in 2017.

Australia has been dedicated to Eurovision for a long time, and also broadcasted lots of the shows from Eurovision. The viewing figures have even been higher in Australia than in some of the competing nations for some years.

Eurovision as a global event?

As previously stated, Jon Ola Sand has said: »We strongly believe the Eurovision Song Contest has the potential to evolve organically into a truly global event (...) It remains to be seen what such an event may look like in the long run«

We strongly believe the Eurovision Song Contest has the potential to evolve organically into a truly global eventJon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of Eurovision

The statement from Jon Ola Sand reveals some of the thoughts and wishes about the future format of the contest: Will Eurovision Song Contest evolve to a global event, where all countries of the world can participate? A global Eurovision? The olympics for music? It is truly something that will change Eurovision forever.

Australia in Eurovision Song Contest

Australia debuted in Eurovision Song Contest 2015 where Australia was given a wildcard to join Europe and compete in the Grand Final. Guy Sebastian sang "Tonight Again" and finished 5th.