In a recent analysis for The Australia Institute, former Spotify chief economist Will Page has highlighted a significant decline in the presence of local artists on major streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon. Between 2021 and 2024, these platforms have featured 20 percent fewer Australian artists.

“Streaming service algorithms may recognize language, but they overlook geography,” Page explained. “This results in Australian audiences rarely being recommended local music.”

Page stressed the importance of greater investment in emerging Australian musicians if the country is to sustain a thriving domestic music scene.

Compounding the issue, streaming of Australian bands within the country has plummeted by 30 percent, indicating that groups are facing even tougher challenges.

Despite the fact that the Australian recording industry has seen increased revenue since 2021, a smaller portion of this financial growth is being allocated to the artists themselves.

Revenue from Australian music increased by 25 per cent, but the artists’ share shrunk by 30 per cent.

Association of Artists Managers executive director Maggie Collins said the revenue increase showed there was a lot to be confident about in Australian music.

“This proves that it’s not a quality problem and makes the domestic streaming decline even more striking,” she said.

“The numbers in this report reveal a clear market distortion, yet despite this disadvantage, Australian artists have proven yet again that when a door is closed, they will find a way in through the window.

“This approach, however, is expensive, resource-heavy, and for some Australian artists, is simply out of reach.”

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also contributed a foreword to the report.

He said Australia’s “cultural voice risks being drowned out” when “the algorithm replaces the DJ”.

“Just as we invest in technology, energy, and defence, we must invest in culture – because identity is the foundation of confidence,” he said.

“The streaming age does not have to erase national character; it can amplify it, and it should.”