Half of Australians Now Consume Podcasts Monthly

A national survey finds podcast listening has climbed to 50% of Australians aged 15 and over, with YouTube's share among regular listeners rising sharply.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Marketing

Half of Australians Now Consume Podcasts Monthly

Live Poll

Do you trust podcasts more than social media or television for news?

Half of Australians aged 15 and over now consume podcasts at least monthly, according to the PodPoll 26 survey published on 1 November 2026. Podcasts are the fastest-growing audio category tracked by the survey, which estimates a monthly audience of 10.3 million people.

Why it matters

The rise shows podcasts reaching a majority-scale share of the national audience, with growth concentrated among Millennials and men aged 35 to 54. For marketers and media planners in Australia, it signals that podcast listeners are increasingly reachable and receptive to advertised products.

The survey, weighted to Australian Bureau of Statistics census data, found 71% of Millennials and 59% to 71% of men aged 35 to 54 are regular podcast consumers. Its sample sizes were 3,472 and 1,646 across its two research parts, and it does not state the unresolved cause of the sharp rise in men aged 35 to 54.

The details

Regular consumers reported that 70% sought out podcasts because they did not require a screen, and 60% said they would rather listen than watch. One in 10 said they watched podcasts instead, and 45% searched online after hearing something on a podcast. Crime, news and current affairs, and comedy remain the most consumed genres, while government and politics is growing faster than any other.

2024: podcast consumption measured at 39% of Australians.
2025: consumption measured at 47%, with YouTube's share rising from 44%.
1 November 2026: PodPoll 26 results published showing 50% monthly consumption.

Season Trajectory

The PodPoll series shows monthly podcast consumption climbing from 39% in 2024 to 47% in 2025 and 50% in 2026, extending a steady upward line in Australian audio listening. The 2026 figure places podcasts ahead of many traditional audio formats in the survey's growth tracking.

Advertisers planning Australian campaigns may find podcasts a practical channel, since 19% of regular consumers said they bought a product after hearing it on a podcast. Media buyers should weigh the 60% preference for audio-only listening when choosing formats.

The takeaway

Podcasts have moved into majority territory for Australian audio audiences, and their trust advantage over social media, at 71% against 34%, gives them real weight in how listeners make decisions. Brands that treat podcast listeners as a serious audience may find them more responsive than the screen-based channels competing for their attention.