We are still in shock that Australia is definitely, 100%, absolutely participating in the grand final of Eurovision 2015. Whilst we brush up on making sure we don’t get our ankle biters mixed up with our yabber, let’s have a look at the ins and outs of Australia’s participation this year.

Will Australia be in Eurovision for good?

No. The EBU have said that Australia’s participation is a one-time event and will not continue…unless, of course, they were to win the contest in 2015. If that were the case, Australia would be allowed to defend their title and the Australian broadcaster SBS would be in charge of the organisation. We will NOT be getting Sydney 2016, though, as the contest will still be held in a European city – so cruelly, we’ll get no time to go catch some rays on a beach! On the bright side, you won’t need to worry about getting a Eurovision beach body in time for the contest. Whew!

Why are Australia in the final?

Australia have received a “wildcard” in the grand final, which means that we will see 27 songs perform on the night. This means that they will not take a place from a country already placed in to a semi final. It’s safe to assume that Australia will randomly draw their half in the grand final at the same time as the Big Five and host nation.

Who is representing Australia?

At this point, we don’t know! Australia have until the 16th of March to submit their entry — the same as the other competing nations. SBS appear to have internally selected an act. Could Dami Im, who won our Australia Eurovision poll last year, be in the running?

How/When will Australia vote?

Australia have been given the special right to vote in BOTH the semi finals as well as the grand final. At this time, they will be using a 100% jury vote. However, plans are being made to give the Australian public a televote too.

Australia aren’t in Europe! Who let them in?

Okay, we get it – they don’t even go here and some of y’all have a lot of feelings. But Australia certainly have been dedicated to the Eurovision cause and their viewing figures have even eclipsed some of the competing nations over the past few years. The decision was made by EBU and ORF and passed through the EBU’s Reference Group, made up of former head of delegations and supervisors from all over Europe. This is a decision that would no doubt have been given serious though and a way to make the 60th anniversary year of Eurovision even more special. And after all – as Conchita Wurst said, “we are unity”. Let’s build those bridges and welcome Australia to our Eurovision family!

Read all of our Australia Eurovision news here.

Photo: Andres Putting (EBU)

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Macky
Macky
9 years ago

You tagged the wrong name under the photo. It’s DAMI IM, not Dani Im. Please change it. Thanks.

Huh
Huh
9 years ago

I think it is ok that they should only participate once. Because what would they do in the ABU afterwards? That would be spending a lot of money unless they can handle them both pretty well.

martin
9 years ago

omg PLEASE DAMI IM! i mean she was at ABU TV SONG,and she was in Sweden recording music just one week ago! some songs! she is perfect for this,she is already a winner in votes,soo

davved
davved
9 years ago

I have a feeling that they will fail in the voting. they have no attachment to europe and eastern european countries are unlikely to vote for their song….and I have a feeling Australia will end in the bottom half of the final after the voting

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
9 years ago

The myth that Eurovision is “huge” in Australia has finally paid off for the broadcaster SBS. Now not just content with ruining the broadcast, they are taking aim at the whole event.
It would make sense for SBS to send a comedian because they have been treating ESC as a joke for years. They pander to the view (amongst those who have heard of Eurovision) that it is a “glitter & cape talent show” (actual quote from a Sydney newspaper today).
Europe, prepare to be pooped on!

Griffin
Griffin
9 years ago

In football Aussie join a AFC and now they join Eurovision. What next? be a part of Asia-Africa Conferencem

Paul
9 years ago

In any case, after a slight Australian shock bookmakers are already looking towards Estonia: http://www.nicerodds.co.uk/eurovision-song-contest-odds-2

Julian
Julian
9 years ago

Australia is a good candidate for joining Eurovision, the share of its population that is of European descent is close to 90%. It is the same case as Israel is in Asia. Only one another country in the world is from the same group and it is Canada. Having said this its statute as a one time invite is a mess. If they win they will come another year. Should they win at all cost? What if they win 3 or more times in a row? Should they win all the years from now just because a lot of people… Read more »

fikri
fikri
9 years ago

they should send kylie minougue. bam! winner of eurovision 2015. done.

Otna
Otna
9 years ago

O M G, please get that televote ready, I need to voteeeeee

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

@YoungsterJoey: Yeah; that would be bad, indeed.

Here’s a thought: If the Aussies win, why not set it up so that next year’s semifinals are in Australia, with the Grand Final in the European country that finished 2nd? I’m pretty sure that would mean having the semis on Monday and Wednesday, to give the entries time enough to fly back to the European host city for the rehearsals before the final on Saturday.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

I think this is great! I think they should have a different guest country every year! And I hope Australia wins! And if they influence the #10 spot in the semis… So what? It’s not like the last qualifier ever wins contest.

Bronson
Bronson
9 years ago

If Australia wins (San Marino has a better chance of them winning, they’re isolated from everyone and backlash from fans could lead to lack of support) they’re here to stay, because to kick a winning country out is way too harsh.

This is good news for my own home country (New Zealand) as Australia’s participation will mean increased publicity here, and I may not be the only Kiwi I know who enjoys Eurovision! It would be nice to say the word without being stared at because nobody knows what it is.

Grifit
Grifit
9 years ago

I LOVE THE NEWS!!!! GO AUSTRALIA GO!!!! I know you’ll end up in the top 10!! 😀

Just being honest
Just being honest
9 years ago

Delta Goodrem or Kylie Minogue PLEASE!!! Its a one-off participation. Might as well get someone with a large star power enough to get some points.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
9 years ago

Just a thought:
Im worried some juries will purposely rank Australia very low due to their inclusion (well, unless their song truly sucks, then sure).

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

@Zac: Are you referring to my last response? I was referring to a special invite for another country outside of Europe, the possibility of which may depend on the Aussies running the table this year and/or next.

Zac
Zac
9 years ago

And if Australia continues to join they will start joining as a normal country and have to go through semi finals. Your point being?

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

@Robyn: If the Aussies win and get another invite, it won’t take another 30 years for another special invite. Hell, it might not even take another 10!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

@Zac: The U.S. might not broadcast Eurovision, but there are more fans here than the mainstream media in this country would like to admit. Just because it ain’t televised doesn’t mean that no one is taking notice. Even the U.S. news, from time to time, takes notice when a winner is announced. I didn’t even pay much attention to the ESC until news of Lordi’s win in 2006.

Roo
Roo
9 years ago

I am from Australia and I have mixed feelings about this news. Logistically it is very messy. However I just want to say to the people who are making stupid comments about “What is next – Nigeria or United States” Australia has been broadcasting the contest for 30 years on a mainstream national channel – not a cable channel. We broadcast all three shows and send commentators. There is a large interest in the contest and it the winner will be headlined in news bulletins. I don’t think that happens in many other countries. Read the news presented and comprehend… Read more »

Zac
Zac
9 years ago

The US doesn’t even broadcast Eurovision, don’t be absurd. Though if they want to field a contender as a one off, which I doubt they will do since Eurovision isn’t popular in the US, and the EBU wanted to build bridges to places with strong Eurovision fanbases, then go for it.

Nebi
Nebi
9 years ago

So let me get this straight. Y’all on this board with be okay with the United States being invited as well with an autospot in the finals and the right to vote in both semis. I mean the more the merrier right?

Fatima
Fatima
9 years ago

The contest haters have their focus for 2015. Also 27 songs is way too many for the final.

Hmmmm
Hmmmm
9 years ago

Mixed feelings here Always nice to have friends coming over, for sure the more the merrier, but I somewhat fear the spirit might be taken out of the concept. Eurovision was meant to unite the people of Europe. It’s was a nice gesture to Australia to be part of the Kopenhagenshow as intervalact. I don’t see the point of inviting them in for the real game, giving them the most voting power of all participating countries and grant them a place in the final where others have to compete. Surely some money is involved, so EBU becomes more like FIFA.… Read more »

Bogdan Honciuc
9 years ago

No, Calvin. I don’t understand why everyone and their mama have their titties in a knot because of this. It’s a TV show, after all.

Welcome to the Eurovision family, Australia!

Zac
Zac
9 years ago

I agree with Calvin. Everyone needs to CALM DOWN jfc.

Deniz
Deniz
9 years ago

Dami Im would be perfect! What I am wondering is how messed up the scoreboard would look like.

Calvin
Calvin
9 years ago

Am I the only person whose thoughts on this matter are no more complex than “the more, the merrier?”

Nebi
Nebi
9 years ago

This is Horse Cr*p!! It’s the Eurovision Song Contest not the WhateverFreekingCountryYouWantToBeFromContest! I would venture that nearly as many Americans watch live on line as watch live in Australian TV. Why not let us in? Because it’s a horrible idea! It is a beautiful contest where each country showcases its entry. Not for large global English speaking countries to muscle their way into a European contest. Badly done EBU!! Stupid, stupid decision!!

PP
PP
9 years ago

Azerbaijan had song at Eurovision 2012, When the music dies. Today we can sing When the eurovision dies. And what if Australian vote change the winner country or change the result of TOP 10 in both semifinal. Do you remeber when Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 had right to vote in semifinal and final at Eurovision like Cyprus at junioer eurovision in 2005 and both countries didn t participate. Without vote from Serbia and Montengro in final would be Poland instead Macedonia. Macedonia wihtout vote from Serbia and Montenegro wili be only on 12 th place not on 10 place.… Read more »

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

They should stay. Just make them stay for one edition unless they win is cruel. Australia is more dedicated than many of the European countries.

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
9 years ago

Dami im is writing songs in sweden at the moment who knows maybe one of her songs will be for eurovision!

spartan
spartan
9 years ago

I disapoint with the idea that if Australia wont win wont come bac to the song constest. I want Australia in esc forever and like other country. This year the songs are really well with netherland malta sweden(we know will win melodifestivalen eric), spain with amanecer, and now Australia with their good pop like jessica mauboy, will be the most excited contest ever and the most popular ever exist, and all this its thanks Australia, with the advertise of their entry

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
9 years ago

Well i have a few great options for australia at esc!
1 dami im
2 dami im
3 dami im
4 dami im
5 dami im
What do you guys think:-)

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
9 years ago

This is alright if
and only if
it’s a one time event
any more international participation and it’ll become way too disorganized

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

My reasoning, more than a year and a half ago, as to why the Aussies would be given a spot in the final, instead of a semifinal spot, fits what is happening here: Because they are the biggest economic power in the region of Oceania. For this, I have no problem with putting them in the final, alongside AUT, GER, UK, FRA, ITA and SPA.

martin
martin
9 years ago

It’s DAMI Im

Sarmi1995
Sarmi1995
9 years ago

as i said in the previos article it’s a “one-off” so i don’t see why letting them in is a bad idea and for the people who say ” why not this country , why not that country”, mainly referring to azerbaijan, well Australia sends their own commentators, televises all the shows (including the junior eurovisions) and they have a massive fan base so they’re more than welcome to join the Diamond Jubilee edition