The Community Broadcasting Program (CBP) provides funding to support community radio services, community TV services and the sector bodies that support them.
Over $24 million in government funding each year supports a range of activities, including:
- promoting voices and views not represented in other media
- creating local content that reflects community needs and interests
- developing media skills
- delivering projects that benefit the sector.
In December 2024, the government announced that the sector will get a $27 million funding boost over 3 years from 2025-26. It will help to support the sector’s workforce, operations, and news services. This funding includes:
- $15 million for the CBP, including $3 million for community TV
- $12 million for the Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program (IBMP).
The Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) delivers the CBP independently of government. The CBF awards grants to the sector through 2 rounds each year. You can learn more on the CBF website.
Community Broadcasting Sector Sustainability Review
In March 2023, the department began the sustainability review and delivered it in 2 phases:
- Phase 1 was an independent evaluation of the CBP
- Phase 2 was a public consultation on the funding, legislation and administration of the CBP and the IBMP.
The review identified opportunities to make the CBP more effective and amend legislation to better support the sector. There are 4 recommendations for the government to consider, and 3 recommendations for the sector. This reflects the shared responsibility of government, funding bodies, peak bodies and community broadcasters to support sustainability.
You can learn more in the findings report.