FM broadcasting in Australia

FM radio broadcasting started in Australia in 1947 but did not catch on and was shut down in 1961 to expand the television band and not reopened until 1975 when Australia's FM allocation was aligned with most of the rest of the world (Initially it was envisaged that FM broadcasting would take place on UHF but this idea was abandoned as impractical and uneconomic).

During the 1980s, FM broadcasting developed very slowly as many frequencies were still occupied by television transmitters, but by the 1990s these had been reallocated to other bands.

During this time many AM stations transferred to FM because of its superior sound quality. Today, as elsewhere in the developed world, most Australian broadcasting is on FM - although AM talk stations are still very popular.

Australia & NZ FM & TV Allocations

RF Range	RF Band	RF Channel	Australia			New Zealand
			QAM Centre MHz	Vision Carrier MHz	FM Mono Audio Sub-Carrier MHz	QAM Centre MHz	Vision Carrier MHz	FM Mono Audio Sub-Carrier MHz
VHF	Band II	3	FM Stereo (1975)	86.25	91.75	FM Stereo
		4	FM Stereo (1975)	95.25	100.75	FM Stereo
		5	FM Stereo (1975)	102.25	107.75	FM Stereo
		5A	140.5	138.25	143.75	Not Applicable

Significant FM networks

• ABC Radio
  • ABC Classic FM
  • Triple J
• CAAMA
• SBS Radio
• Southern Cross Media Group
  • Star FM
  • Hot FM
  • Sea FM
  • Various 'Heritage' Stations such as 2MC in Port Macqaurie and 2CS in Coffs Harbour
  • RadioWest
• Austereo
  • Today Network
  • Triple M Network
• Australian Radio Network
  • Mix Network
  • Classic Hits Network
• DMG Radio Australia
  • Nova Network
  • Vega Network
• United Christian Broadcasters
  • Vision FM
• Raw FM
• Fresh FM
• Faith FM
• 3ABN Australia