View source for Australian Idol

{{Short description|Australian singing competition TV series}}
{{About||the most recent season|Australian Idol season 10{{!}}''Australian Idol'' season 10}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2017}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = AustralianIdol.jpg
| genre                = 
| creator              = [[Simon Fuller]]
| developer            = 
| writer               = 
| director             = 
| creative_director    = 
| presenter            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Osher Günsberg]] formerly Andrew Günsberg
* [[James Mathison]]
* [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]]
* [[Scott Tweedie]]
}}
| judges               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ian Dickson (TV personality)|Ian Dickson]]
* [[Marcia Hines]]
* [[Mark Holden]]
* [[Kyle Sandilands]]
* [[Jay Dee Springbett]]
* [[Meghan Trainor]]
* [[Amy Shark]]
* [[Harry Connick Jr.]]
}}
| voices               = 
| narrated             = 
| theme_music_composer = 
| opentheme            = 
| endtheme             = 
| composer             = 
| country              = Australia
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 10<!-- increment when new season begins -->
| num_episodes         = 309<!-- increment when new episode airs -->
| list_episodes        = 
| executive_producer   = 
| producer             = 
| editor               = 
| cinematography       = 
| camera               = 
| runtime              = 1–2 hours (includes commercials)
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[FremantleMedia Australia]] (seasons 1–7)
* [[19 Entertainment]] (seasons 1–7)
* [[Eureka Productions]] (season 8–)
}}
| network              = [[Network 10]]
| network2             = [[Seven Network]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2003|07|27|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2009|11|22|df=y}}
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|2023|01|30|df=y}}
| last_aired2          = present
| related              = 
}}

'''''Australian Idol''''' is an Australian singing competition, which began its first season in July 2003 and ended its initial run in November 2009. As part of the [[Idol series|''Idol'' franchise]], Australian Idol originated from the [[reality program]] ''[[Pop Idol]]'', which was created by British entertainment executive [[Simon Fuller]]. Australian Idol was televised on [[Network 10|Network Ten]] for its first seven series and was broadcast on the [[Austereo|Southern Cross Austereo]] Radio Network between 2005 and 2007. The series returned in 2023 after [[Seven Network]] announced they would be picking up the show.

==Finalists==
{| style="width:20em; margin-left:0.5em; padding:0.2em; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1;"
|+'''''Australian Idol'' finalists (with dates of elimination)'''
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 1|''Australian Idol'' season 1]] [[Australian Idol season 1#The Top 12 Finalists|finalists]]'''
|-
|  [[Guy Sebastian]] || ''Winner''
|-
|  [[Shannon Noll]] || 19 November
|-
|  [[Cosima De Vito]] || 3 November
|-
|  [[Paulini Curuenavuli]] || 27 October
|-
|  [[Rob Mills]] || 20 October
|-
|  [[Levi Kereama]]<sup>†</sup> || 13 October
|-
|  [[Rebekah LaVauney]] || 6 October
|-
|  [[Kelly Cavuoto]] || 6 October
|-
|  [[Lauren Buckley]] || 29 September
|-
|  [[Cle Wootton]] || 29 September
|-
|  [[Peter Ryan (singer)|Peter Ryan]] || 22 September
|-
|  Mathew Chadwick || 22 September
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 2|''Australian Idol'' season 2 (2004)]] [[Australian Idol season 2#The Top 12 Finalists|finalists]]'''
|-
|  [[Casey Donovan (singer)|Casey Donovan]] || ''Winner''
|-
| [[Anthony Callea]] || 21 November
|-
|  [[Courtney Murphy]] || 8 November
|-
|  [[Hayley Jensen]] || 1 November
|-
|  Chanel Cole || 25 October
|-
|  [[Marty Worrall]] || 18 October
|-
| [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] || 11 October
|-
|  [[Daniel Belle]] || 4 October
|-
|  [[Emelia Rusciano]] || 27 September
|-
|  [[Amali Ward]] || 20 September
|-
|  [[Daniel O'Connor (singer)|Dan O'Connor]] || 13 September
|-
|  [[Angeline Narayan]] || 6 September
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 3|''Australian Idol'' season 3 (2005)]] [[Australian Idol season 3#The Top 13 Finalists|finalists]]'''
|-
|  [[Kate DeAraugo]] || ''Winner''
|-
|  [[Emily Williams]] || 21 November
|-
|  [[Lee Harding]] || 14 November
|-
|  [[Dan England]] || 7 November
|-
|  [[Daniel Spillane]] || 31 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 3#Anne Robertson|Anne Robertson]] || 24 October
|-
| [[James Kannis]] || 17 October
|-
|  [[Milly Edwards]] || 10 October
|-
|  [[Roxane LeBrasse]] || 3 October
|-
|  [[Laura Gissara]] || 26 September
|-
|  [[Natalie Zahra]] || 19 September
|-
|  [[Chris Luder]] || 12 September
|-
|  [[Tarni Stephens]] || 12 September
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 4|''Australian Idol'' season 4 (2006)]] [[Australian Idol season 4#The Top 12 Finalists|finalists]]'''
|-
|  [[Damien Leith]] || ''Winner''
|-
|  [[Jessica Mauboy]] || 26 November
|-
|  [[Dean Geyer]] || 13 November
|-
|  [[Chris Murphy (Australian singer)|Chris Murphy]] || 6 November
|-
|  [[Ricky Muscat]] || 30 October
|-
|  [[Lisa Mitchell]] || 23 October
|-
|  [[Bobby Flynn]] || 16 October
|-
|  [[Lavina Williams]] || 9 October
|-
|  Guy "Mutto" Mutton || 2 October
|-
|  [[Klancie Keough]] || 25 September
|-
|  [[Reigan Derry]] || 18 September
|-
|  [[Joseph Gatehau]] || 11 September
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 5|''Australian Idol'' season 5 (2007)]] [[Australian Idol 2007#The Top 12 Contestants|finalists]]'''
|-
|  [[Natalie Gauci]]|| ''Winner''
|-
|  [[Matt Corby]]|| 25 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 5#Carl Riseley|Carl Riseley]]|| 12 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 5#Marty Simpson|Marty Simpson]]|| 5 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 5#Tarisai Vushe|Tarisai Vushe]]|| 29 October
|-
|  [[Daniel Mifsud]]|| 22 October
|-
|  [[Ben McKenzie (Australian Idol)|Ben McKenzie]]|| 15 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 5#Jacob Butler|Jacob Butler]]|| 8 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 5#Mark Da Costa|Mark Da Costa]]|| 1 October
|-
|  [[Lana Krost]]|| 24 September
|-
|  [[Brianna Carpenter]]|| 17 September
|-
|  [[Holly Weinert]]|| 10 September
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 6|''Australian Idol'' season 6 (2008)]] [[Australian Idol 2008#Top 12 Finalists|finalists]]'''
|-
|  [[Wes Carr]]|| ''Winner''
|-
|  [[Luke Dickens]]|| 23 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Mark Spano|Mark Spano]]|| 17 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Teale Jakubenko|Teale Jakubenko]]|| 10 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Chrislyn Hamilton|Chrislyn Hamilton]]|| 3 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Roshani Priddis|Roshani Priddis]]|| 27 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Sophie Paterson|Sophie Paterson]]|| 20 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Thanh Bui|Thanh Bui]]|| 13 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Madam Parker|Madam Parker]]|| 6 October
|-
|  [[Tom J Williams|Tom Williams]]|| 29 September
|-
|  [[Owl Eyes|Brooke Addamo]]|| 22 September
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 6#Jonny Taylor|Jonny Taylor]]|| 15 September
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 7|''Australian Idol'' season 7 (2009) finalists]]'''
|-
|  [[Stan Walker]]|| ''Winner''
|-
|  [[Hayley Warner]]|| 22 November
|-
|  James Johnston|| 15 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 7#Nathan Brake|Nathan Brake]]|| 8 November
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 7#Toby Moulton|Toby Moulton]]|| 1 November
|-
|  [[Kate Cook (singer)|Kate Cook]]|| 25 October
|-
|  [[Kim Cooper (singer)|Kim Cooper]]|| 18 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 7#Scott Newnham|Scott Newnham]]|| 11 October
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 7#Jared Gundy|Jared Gundy]]|| 4 October
|-
|  [[Sabrina Batshon]]|| 27 September
|-
|  [[Casey Barnes]]|| 20 September
|-
|  [[Australian Idol season 7#Ashleigh Toole|Ashleigh Toole]]|| 13 September
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 8#Top 12 Finalists|''Australian Idol'' season 8 (2023) finalists]]'''
|-
| [[Royston Sagigi-Bara|Royston Sagigi-Baira]]|| Winner
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Phoebe Stewart|Phoebe Stewart]] || Runner-up
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Josh Hannan|Josh Hannan]] || 26 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Amali Dimond|Amali Dimond]] || 20 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Ben Sheehy|Ben Sheehy]] || 20 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Anya Hynninen|Anya Hynninen]] || 20 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Angelina Curtis|Angelina Curtis]] || 13 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Noora H|Noora H]] || 13 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Sash Seabourne|Sash Seabourne]] || 6 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Harry Hayden|Harry Hayden]] || 6 March
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Maya Weiss|Maya Weiss]] || 27 February 
|-
| [[Australian Idol season 8#Jasey Fox|Jasey Fox]] || 27 February
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"| '''[[Australian Idol season 9#Top 12 Finalists|''Australian Idol'' season 9 (2024) finalists]]'''
|-
| [[#Dylan Wright|Dylan Wright]] || Winner
|-
| [[#Amy Reeves|Amy Reeves]] || Runner-up
|-
| [[#Denvah Baker-Moller|Denvah Baker-Moller]] || 25 March
|-
| [[#Trent Richardson|Trent Richardson]] || 18 March
|-
| [[#Issac McCallum|Issac McCallum]] || 18 March
|-
| [[#Ivana Ilic|Ivana Ilic]] || 18 March
|-
| [[#Drea Onamade|Drea Onamade]] || 11 March
|-
| [[#Kiani Smith|Kiani Smith]] || 11 March
|-
| [[#Tyler Hammill|Tyler Hammill]] || 5 March
|-
| [[#TJ Zimba|TJ Zimba]] || 5 March
|-
| [[#Ripley Alexander|Ripley Alexander]] || 27 February
|-
| [[#Imogen Spendlove|Imogen Spendlove]] || 27 February

|}

==Series overview==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
! rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Episodes
! colspan="2"| Originally Aired
! colspan="2"| Result
! rowspan="2"| Judges
! rowspan="2"| Hosts
! rowspan="2"| Network
|-
! Premiere
! Finale
! Winner 
! {{nowrap|Runner-up}} 
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 1|One]]
| 44
| 27 July 2003
| 19 November 2003
| [[Guy Sebastian]]
| [[Shannon Noll]]
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|
{{Plainlist|
* {{nowrap|[[Mark Holden]]}}
* [[Marcia Hines]]
* [[Ian Dickson (music mogul)|Ian Dickson]]
}}
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*{{nowrap|[[Andrew G]]}}
* [[James Mathison]]
}}
| rowspan=7| [[Network 10|Ten]]
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 2|Two]]
| 37
| 13 July 2004
| 21 November 2004
| [[Casey Donovan (singer)|Casey Donovan]]
| [[Anthony Callea]]
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 3|Three]]
| 53
| 26 July 2005
| 21 November 2005
| [[Kate DeAraugo]]
| [[Emily Williams]]
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*Mark Holden
*Marcia Hines
*{{nowrap|[[Kyle Sandilands]]}}
}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 4|Four]]
| 36
| 6 August 2006
| 26 November 2006
| [[Damien Leith]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebrag.com/australian-idol-winners-where-are-they-now/|title=The Australian Idol Winners: Where Are They Now?|date=14 December 2016}}</ref>
| [[Jessica Mauboy]]
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 5|Five]]
| 37
| 5 August 2007
| 25 November 2007
| [[Natalie Gauci]]
| [[Matt Corby]]
| style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*Mark Holden
*Marcia Hines
*Ian Dickson
*Kyle Sandilands
}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 6|Six]]
| 35
| 24 August 2008
| 23 November 2008
| [[Wes Carr]]
| [[Luke Dickens]]
| style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*Marcia Hines
*Ian Dickson
*Kyle Sandilands
}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*Andrew G
*James Mathison
* [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]]
}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 7|Seven]]
| 20
| 9 August 2009 
| 22 November 2009
| [[Stan Walker]]
| [[Hayley Warner]]
| style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*Kyle Sandilands
*[[Jay Dee Springbett]]
*Marcia Hines
*Ian Dickson
}}
| style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*Andrew G
*Ricki-Lee Coulter
}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 8|Eight]]
| 21
| 30 January 2023
| 26 March 2023
| [[Royston Sagigi-Baira]]
| Phoebe Stewart
| style="text-align:center;"| {{Plainlist|
*[[Harry Connick Jr.]]
*[[Meghan Trainor]]
*[[Amy Shark]]
*Kyle Sandilands
}}
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | {{Plainlist|
*Ricki-Lee Coulter
*[[Scott Tweedie]]
}}
| rowspan="4" | [[Seven Network|Seven]]
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 9|Nine]]
| rowspan="2" | 26
| 29 January 2024
| 25 March 2024
| Dylan Wright
| Amy Reeves
| rowspan="3" |{{Plainlist|*Kyle Sandilands
*Marcia Hines
*Amy Shark
}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Australian Idol season 10|Ten]]
|2 February 2025
|7 April 2025
| [[Marshall Hamburger]]
| Iliysh Retallick 
|-
!Eleven
|TBA
|2026
|2026
|TBD
|TBD
|}

== Judges and hosts ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Cast member
! colspan="11" |Season
|-
!1<br>(2003)
!2<br>(2004)
!3<br>(2005)
!4<br>(2006)
!5<br>(2007)
!6<br>(2008)
!7<br>(2009)
!8<br>(2023)
!9<br>(2024)
!10<br>(2025)
!11<br>(2026)
|- style="border-top:3px solid #aaa;"
! colspan="12" | Judge
|-
|[[Marcia Hines]]
! colspan="7" {{yes2|Main}}
! {{maybe|Guest}}
! colspan="3" {{yes2|Main}}
|-
|[[Mark Holden]]
! colspan="5" {{yes2|Main}}
! colspan="6" |
|-
|[[Ian Dickson (TV personality)|Ian Dickson]]
! colspan="2" {{yes2|Main}}
! colspan="2" |
! colspan="3" {{yes2|Main}}
! colspan="4" |
|-
|[[Kyle Sandilands]]
! colspan="2" |
! colspan="4" {{yes2|Main}}
! {{yes2|Auditions}}
! colspan="4" {{yes2|Main}}
|-
|[[Jay Dee Springbett]]
! colspan="6" |
! {{yes2|Live shows}}
! colspan="4" |
|-
|[[Amy Shark]]
! colspan="7" |
! colspan="4" {{yes2|Main}}
|-
|[[Meghan Trainor]]
! colspan="7" |
! {{yes2|Main}}
! colspan="3" |
|-
|[[Harry Connick Jr.|Harry Connick Jr]]
! colspan="7" |
! {{yes2|Main}}
! colspan="3" |
|-
|- style="border-top:3px solid #aaa;"
! colspan="12" | Host
|-
|[[Osher Günsberg|Andrew G]]
! colspan="7" {{yes2|Main}}
! colspan="4" |
|-
|[[James Mathison]]
! colspan="6" {{yes2|Main}}
! colspan="5" |
|-
|[[Ricki-Lee Coulter]]
! colspan="5" |
! colspan="1" {{yes2|Backstage}}
! colspan="5" {{yes2|Main}}
|-
|[[Scott Tweedie]]
! colspan="7" |
! colspan="4" {{yes2|Main}}
|}

==History==
''Australian Idol'' sought to discover the most commercial young singer in Australia through a series of nationwide auditions. The outcomes of the later stages of this competition were determined by public voting. It was the first show to use this system of voting in Australia.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} The original judging panel featured [[Mark Holden]], [[Marcia Hines]] and [[Ian Dickson (music mogul)|Ian 'Dicko' Dickson]]. In 2005, this was changed as Dickson was replaced by [[Kyle Sandilands]].

In 2007, Dickson again returned to the program, when Holden left at the end of the season. In 2009, Sandilands was replaced by [[Jay Dee Springbett]].<ref name="ABC, 2019-08-29">{{cite news |date=23 August 2009 |title=Jay Dee Springbett takes Sandilands' Idol job |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-23/jay-dee-springbett-takes-sandilands-idol-job/1401696 |url-status=live |work=[[ABC Online]] |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030035319/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-23/jay-dee-springbett-takes-sandilands-idol-job/1401696 |archive-date=30 October 2016 |access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>

===Cancellation===

[[Network Ten]] made the decision to "rest" the program for 2010 after poor ratings in 2009.<ref>[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/australian-idol-rested-in-2010-after-embarassing-ratings/news-story/e07567a7240fe83ff9450a3692171bcf?sv=1a66ee8ed76c54f894fc4d31f6d92b3f Australian Idol rested in 2010 after embarrassing ratings], [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]], 8 January 2010</ref> No further comment was formally made regarding the future of ''Australian Idol'' on Network Ten until early 2013, following the network's acquisition of rights to the American series, when program chief Beverley McGarvey hinted it may return. However, later that same year, a Ten spokesperson confirmed that it would not be returning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://television.mxdwn.com/news/australias-network-ten-confirms-australian-idol-isnt-returning/|title = Australia's Network Ten Confirms 'Australian Idol' Isn't Returning -|date = 2 August 2013}}</ref>

===Revival===
On 21 October 2020, [[Seven Network]] announced at their annual upfronts that they would be reviving the series, originally slated for 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/10/upfronts-2021-seven.html|title=Upfronts 2021: Seven|date=21 October 2020|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2020/10/21/the-worlds-biggest-show-australian-idol-comes-to-seven-in-2022/|title=The Worlds biggest show, Australian Idol, comes to Seven I'm 2022|date=21 October 2020|website=TV Black Box|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/entertainment/tv/australian-idol-returning-to-tv-in-2022-c-1427536.amp|title=Australian Idol returning to TV in 2022|date=21 October 2020|website=7news|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref>

On 28 September 2022, Seven announced that [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] and [[Scott Tweedie]] would be the new hosts, with the judging panel consisting of former ''[[American Idol]]'' judge [[Harry Connick Jr.]], former ''Australian Idol'' judge [[Kyle Sandilands]], [[Amy Shark]] and [[Meghan Trainor]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Pip|last=Christmass|url=https://7news.com.au/entertainment/australian-idol/superstar-judges-for-australian-idol-2023-unveiled-c-8373019.amp|title=Superstar judges for Australian Idol 2023 unveiled|date=28 September 2022|website=7news|access-date=28 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/09/kyle-harry-meghan-amy-to-judge-australian-idol.html|title=Kyle, Harry, Meghan & Amy to judge Australian Idol.|date=28 September 2022|website=[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=28 September 2022}}</ref> Original judge [[Marcia Hines]] appeared as a guest judge.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/10/marcia-hines-to-guest-judge-australian-idol.html|title=Marcia Hines to guest judge Australian Idol|date=24 October 2022|website=TV Tonight[[TV Tonight]]|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref> The revival premiered on 30 January 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tree|first=Jack|url=https://www.3ba.com.au/trending/entertainment/first-look-australian-idol-2023-auditions/|title=First Look Australian Idol 2023 Auditions|date=30 December 2022|website=[[3BA]]|access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref>

In July 2023, it was officially revealed that the show had been renewed by Seven Network for a ninth season, set to premiere in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-10 |title=Australian Idol confirmed to return in 2024 |url=https://www.newidea.com.au/australian-idol-2024 |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=New Idea |language=en-us}}</ref> It was later revealed that Coulter and Tweedie would return as hosts, and that Sandilands and Shark will be returning to their judging positions. However, Connick Jr. and Trainor will not be returning, with Trainor leaving due to family reasons. Original judge Marcia Hines will return as a main judge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corbett |first=Isabella |date=2023-07-09 |title=A Vintage Australian Idol Judge Is Coming Back Next Season & Cue My Biggest Touchdown Ever |url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/marcia-hines-australian-idol-2024-judge/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=PEDESTRIAN.TV |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shake your groove thing because an OG Australian Idol judge has been confirmed for the 2024 season |url=https://sodramaticonline.com/2023/07/10/marcia-hines-australian-idol-2024-judging/ |website=So Dramatic!}}</ref> Seven officially confirmed the 2024 judges at their upfronts in October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=18 October 2023 |title=Upfronts: 2024 Seven Network|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/10/upfronts-2024-seven-network.html|access-date=19 October 2023|website=[[TV Tonight]]}}</ref> In November 2024, the series was renewed for a tenth season by Seven with Sandilands, Hines and Shark returning as judges with Coulter & Tweedie returning as hosts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox|first=David|date=13 November 2024 |title=Upfronts: 2025 Seven Network|url= https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/11/2025-upfronts-seven-network-stranded-on-honeymoon-island-once-in-a-lifetime-jim-jefferies-friends.html |access-date=13 November 2024|website=[[TV Tonight]]}}</ref> On March 29, 2025, it was confirmed during a live show of the 2025 season, that the show would be renewed for an eleventh season in 2026. Sandilands, Hines and Shark are all slated to return as judges with Coulter & Tweedie returning as hosts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aus Idol Auditions Coming To The Area |url=https://juneeindependent.com.au/2025/06/aus-idol-auditions-coming-to-the-area/ |access-date=June 13, 2025}}</ref>

==Format==

===Auditions===
Auditions were held in major cities around Australia to find each season's contestants. Any contestant who got a "yes" from a majority of judges was put through to the top 100 in Sydney. The TV episodes showed the most interesting auditions, which generally meant the worst and the best.

* In Seasons 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, auditions were held in [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Perth]], [[Brisbane]] and [[Adelaide]].
* In Season 5 auditions were also held in [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]].
* In Season 2 in addition to the above cities, auditions were also held in [[Tamworth, New South Wales|Tamworth]], [[Canberra]] and [[Hobart]].

===Top 100===
Singers who progress from the auditions go to Sydney, in a stage which was sometimes called the Top 100 or Top 50 (season 8). Over a few days, these contestants are narrowed down to the semi-finalists.

===Semi-finals===
Over different seasons, the number of semi-finalists varied between 24 and 40, with between 8 and 10 contestants. For the first seven seasons, each semi-final was spread over two nights. On the first night, each semi-finalist sang a song, and was critiqued by each judge. Then over the next day, the public voted (by phone or SMS). The second night was results night, and the top 2 or 3 went through to the top 12. There was also included a "wild card" semi-final, to give some contestants a second chance to make the top 12.

For seasons 1 to 3, each semi-final took a week, with performances on Sunday night and results on Monday night. For seasons 4 onwards, the semi-finals were all in a single week, because there was greater viewer interest in the finals than the semi-finals.

The formats for the different seasons were:

'''Season 1''' had 5 semi-finalis of 8 contestants each. The top 2 in each semi-final made the top 12. A wild card round decided 2 more finalists (it turned out to be 3 after one contestant withdrew) - one judges' choice, two by public vote.

'''Seasons 2''' and '''3''' had 3 semi-finals of 10 contestants each, with the top 3 in each semi-final making the top 12. Then a further 3 were progressed from the wild card round (2 by judges' choice, 1 by public vote). (The wild card episode in the 3rd season had a little twist, when the judges announced a third person, namely, Roxanne Lebrasse, who also had the 2nd highest number of votes, would be included in the finals, making it a Top 13.)

'''Seasons 4''', '''5''', '''6''' and '''7''' had 4 semi-finals of 6 contestants each, with the top 2 in each semi-final making the top 12. Then a further 4 made the Top 12 from the wild card round. Seasons 4 and 5 had same gender semi-finals, while Season 6 had 3 males and 3 females in each semi-final. For the wild card show, Seasons 4 and 6 selected 3 by judges' choice and 1 by public vote; Season 5 selected 2 by judges' choice and 2 by public vote;.

'''Season 8''' had 3 semi-finals of 8 contestants each, with the judges putting 4 from each through to the top 12, on the same night. There was no public voting and no wild card round.

For the first five seasons, contestants who made the semi-finals in previous seasons were not eligible to audition. From the 2008 season onwards, only Top 12 contestants from previous seasons were ineligible.

===Finals (Top 12)===
In the Season 1 to 7 finals, one contestant was eliminated per week. (With the exception of Season 1, which eliminated 2 in the first 3 weeks of the finals, and Season 3, which eliminated 2 in the first week of finals due to having a final 13). In the Season 8 finals, two contestants were eliminated per week.

Each week, contestants chose a song to a weekly theme on the Sunday night. (As the number of contestants got smaller, they sang two or three songs each). As in the semi-finals, each performance was critiqued by the judges, and then there was (approximately) 24 hours of voting by phone or SMS, before the results were announced on the Monday night. The eliminated competitor(s) then presented a final song – usually the number they sang the previous night. In Season 8, each of the bottom 4 performed on elimination night, after voting had closed but before the results were announced.

====Grand Finale====
The final results night, the Grand Finale, was held at the [[Sydney Opera House]]. It usually featured fireworks and an outdoor concert with many past ''Idol'' stars and other Australian musicians. It had been the highest rating episode of each season. The top 12 were celebrated and at the end of the night the winner was announced. Seasons 1–5 were held inside Sydney Opera House on the concert hall stage. For seasons 6 and 7, the finale was held on a stage erected on the Opera House forecourt.

After the first two seasons, the top 12 and top 10 went on a national tour. There were no tours for later seasons. However, there was a "Winner's Journey Tour" involving the winner with some guest performances from the Top 12 for seasons 4 and 5.

===Touchdowns===
{{Original research section|date=November 2011}}

A "touchdown" was awarded by judge Mark Holden when, in his own opinion, a contestant's performance was particularly good. Holden awarded his first ever "touchdown" to [[Cosima De Vito]] for her rendition of Cold Chisel's "[[When the War Is Over]]" in the Top 8 on Australian Made night in Season 1. De Vito also received a touchdown for her rendition of [[Respect (song)|Respect]], a classic hit by Aretha Franklin. Season 4 winner, [[Damien Leith]] and Season 2 winner, [[Casey Donovan (singer)|Casey Donovan]] have the record for the highest number of touchdowns at four apiece. Leith is the only contestant to receive two touchdowns in the same night. [[Emily Williams]], and [[Matt Corby]], runners-up of seasons 3 and 5 respectively both hold the record of receiving the most touchdowns without winning, at three apiece. In 2004, Top 8 contestants choice night, he awarded his only ever 'Grand Royal' Touchdown when [[Anthony Callea]] sang his stunning rendition of "[[The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli song)|The Prayer]]" which is still regarded as one of the most memorable performances of all seven series. Another two of Holden's most memorable "touchdowns" were awarded to [[Guy Sebastian]] for his rendition of "Climb Every Mountain" on the Top 3 show in Season 1 and to [[Jessica Mauboy]] for her rendition of [[Christina Aguilera]]'s "[[Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song)|Beautiful]]" on the Top 10 Number 1 Hits show in Season 4. Holden's final touchdown went to 2007 winner [[Natalie Gauci]] in the Top 4 on Big Band night during Season 5.

During Season 6, due to Holden's departure from the judging panel, the other judges awarded "touchdowns" themselves. The first "touchdown" was delivered by Kyle Sandilands to Chrislyn Hamilton on top 12 night. She later received another on Motown night by guest judge and first series winner, Guy Sebastian. Thanh Bui received one from Marcia Hines during ABBA night and Mark Spano was also delivered one by Ian "Dicko" Dickson during Top 6 Rolling Stones night. Eventual winner, Wes Carr was awarded two; one by Hines and guest judge [[Jermaine Jackson]] on [[Michael Jackson]] night and another on Top 3 night by Dickson.

An alternate version of a "touchdown" was done by Dickson if he believes the performance was extraordinary saying "big ticko from Dicko". This was used in one of Natalie Gauci's performances and a few other performances when Holden was around.

In the first seven seasons, a "touchdown" did not carry any official status. However, in [[Australian Idol season 8|Season 8]], during the Top 24 performances, each judge was allowed one "touchdown", which put a singer immediately through to the Top 12.

==Season synopsis==

===Season 1===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 1}}
When Network Ten paid $15&nbsp;million for the first season of Australian Idol they anticipated it to be a critical and financial success like it had been in other countries such as the UK and the USA. When the show aired for the first time in August 2003 it was a ratings bonanza attracting diverse ranges of viewers, from people wanting the crazy auditions to people who wanted to hear great voices. The audition process went through several major cities in Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin. Australian Idol became the most popular TV show in the country with more ratings than major events such as the AFL Grand Final. The Grand Final at the Sydney Opera House attracted more than 3&nbsp;million viewers. It was listed as the ninth highest rating TV show in Australia in the past century in 2007. The eventual winner of the competition was [[Guy Sebastian]] with [[Shannon Noll]] finishing in 2nd place.

Guy Sebastian has released ten top 10 albums, with eight reaching the top 5, including three No. 1's.<ref name="australian-charts.com">{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Guy+Sebastianaustraliancharts.com |title=Guy Sebastian |publisher=Australian Charts |access-date=20 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119152217/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Guy+Sebastian |archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref> His debut album ''[[Just as I Am (Guy Sebastian album)|Just As I Am]]'' was certified 6× platinum and sold in excess of 480,000 units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2003.htm |publisher=ARIA |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Albums |access-date=20 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112030239/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2003.htm |archive-date=12 November 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Music/Everyones-a-winner/2004/11/19/1100748195505.html |work=The Age | title=Everyone's A Winner | date=21 November 2004 | first=Karl | last=Quinn | access-date=20 November 2009 | location=Melbourne, Australia| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091126023819/http://www.theage.com.au/news/Music/Everyones-a-winner/2004/11/19/1100748195505.html| archive-date= 26 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>  ''[[Beautiful Life (Guy Sebastian album)|Beautiful Life]]'', ''[[Closer to the Sun (Guy Sebastian album)|Closer to the Sun]]'' and ''[[Like It Like That (Guy Sebastian Album)|Like It Like That]]'' were all platinum sellers, with [[The Memphis Album]], ''[[Twenty Ten (Guy Sebastian album)|Twenty Ten]]'' reaching 2x platinum. ''[[Armageddon (Guy Sebastian album)|Armageddon]]'' has been certified 3x platinum.<ref name="aria.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2004.htm |website=aria.com.au |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Albums |publisher=ARIA |access-date=20 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807133822/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2004.htm |archive-date=7 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-Accreditations-2006Albums.htm |website=aria.com.au |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 |publisher=ARIA |access-date=20 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217034652/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-Accreditations-2006Albums.htm |archive-date=17 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2010 Albums">[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2010Albums.htm ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Albums] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710061931/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2010Albums.htm |date=10 July 2011 }} Retrieved 8 June 2010</ref><ref name="ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2008 Albums">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120112192933/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Albums.htm ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Albums]. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Albums.htm the original] on 25 January 2012.</ref><ref name="ARIA Accreditations - 2012 Albums">[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesALBUMaccreds2012.htm ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2012 Albums] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205035631/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesALBUMaccreds2012.htm |date=5 February 2014 }}. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 January 2013</ref><ref name="ARIA Album Certifications 2014">[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-albums-2014.htm ARIA Album Certifications 2014] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428141328/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-albums-2014.htm |date=28 April 2014 }}. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 31 October 2014</ref> ''[[Madness (Guy Sebastian album)|Madness]]'' has been certified gold.<ref name="ARIA Album Certifications 2014"/> His most recent album, ''[[T.R.U.T.H.]]'' became his third number one album and has been certified platinum. He has also released 23 top 20 singles, with 14 reaching the top ten, including six No. 1's.<ref name="australian-charts.com"/> Sebastian is the only Australian male artist in Australian music history to achieve six No. 1 singles, and is third overall for all Australian acts.<ref name="Guy Sebastian Equals Abba For Number 1 Hits in Australia">Ryan, Gavin (19 August 2012).[https://web.archive.org/web/20121123034400/http://www.noise11.com/news/guy-sebastian-equals-abba-for-number-1-hits-in-australia-20120819 Guy Sebastian Equals Abba For Number 1 Hits In Australia]. Noise11. Archived from [http://www.noise11.com/news/guy-sebastian-equals-abba-for-number-1-hits-in-australia-20120819 the original] on 19 August 2012.</ref> His debut single [[Angels Brought Me Here]] was the highest selling single in Australia in 2003, reaching 5× platinum certification.<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2003.htm ARIA Charts Top 100 Singles 2003] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127173607/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2003.htm |date=27 January 2012 }} Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref><ref name="ARIA Accreditations - 2019 Singles"/> It won the 2004 ARIA for Highest Selling Single, and in 2010 ARIA announced it was the highest selling song of the previous decade.<ref name="www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/delta-goodrems">[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/delta-goodrems-talents-top-the-charts/story-e6frexl9-1225816728711 Daily Telegraph Delta Goodrem's talents top the charts] 7 January 2010 – retrieved 7 January 2010</ref><ref name="Winners by year - 2004">[http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2004 Winners by year – 2004]. ARIA Awards. Archived from [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2003.htm the original] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127173607/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2003.htm |date=27 January 2012 }} on 23 January 2012.</ref> "[[Like It like That (Guy Sebastian song)|Like It Like That]]" the title track from his fifth album reached 5× platinum and was the highest selling Australian artist single of 2009.<ref name="ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2014 Singles">[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2014.htm ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2014 Singles] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808111800/http://aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2014.htm |date=8 August 2014 }}. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 March 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-australian-singles-2009.htm ARIA Charts Top 50 Australian Artist Singles 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112142216/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-australian-singles-2009.htm |date=12 January 2012 }}. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 December 2010.</ref> "[[Who's That Girl (Guy Sebastian song)|Who's That Girl]]", ''Twenty Ten'''s only single, reached 6× platinum certification and won the 2011 ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single.<ref name="ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2014 Singles"/><ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-australian-singles-2010.htm ARIA Charts Top 50 Australian Artist Singles 2010]. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 February 2011</ref><ref name="Winners of the 2011 ARIA Awards">{{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120122033805/http://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/latest/a/-/article/12110005/winners-of-the-2011-aria-awards/ |date=22 January 2012 }}. Yahoo!7. 27 November 2011. Archived from [http://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/latest/a/-/article/12110005/winners-of-the-2011-aria-awards/ the original] on 21 January 2012.</ref> "[[Don't Worry Be Happy (Guy Sebastian song)|Don't Worry Be Happy]], the lead single of Sebastian's seventh album ''Armageddon''  reached 5× platinum.<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesSINGLEaccreds2012.htm ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054950/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesSINGLEaccreds2012.htm |date=21 September 2013 }}. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 15 June 2012.</ref> The third single "[[Battle Scars]]" featuring [[Lupe Fiasco]] debuted at No. 1, becoming his sixth No. 1 single in Australia, and achieved 14× platinum certification in 2023.<ref name=ARIA-2020-Singles>{{cite certification|region=Australia|type=single|certyear=2020|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="ARIA Accreditations - 2019 Singles">[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesSinglesAccreds2019.htm ARIA Accreditations – 2019 Singles]. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 30 March 2019.</ref> Sebastian has been awarded 82 platinum and seven gold certifications for albums and singles in Australia, the highest for any Australian Idol contestant.<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations.htm aria.com.au Accreditations – albums and singles] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044303/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations.htm |date=21 July 2011 }} Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref>

"Angels Brought Me Here" reached No. 1 in Malaysia, Singapore, The Philippines, Indonesia and New Zealand.<ref name="Guy Sebastian biography">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120205192849/http://www.guysebastian.com.au/bio/home.do Guy Sebastian biography]. Guy Sebastian official site. Archived from [http://www.guysebastian.com.au/bio/home.do the original] on 21 January 2012.</ref><ref name="Beautiful Life & Guy Facts">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120222081852/http://www.opensubscriber.com/message/mediacare@yahoogroups.com/1997998.html Beautiful Life & Guy Facts]. opensubscriber.com. Archived from [http://www.opensubscriber.com/message/mediacare@yahoogroups.com/1997998.html the original] on 19 January 2012.</ref> Sebastian achieved a second No. 1 on the [[RIANZ|New Zealand Charts]] with "Who's That Girl", and reached the Top 10 with his debut album and five other singles, and has ten platinum and five gold certifications there.<ref name="Guy Sebastian in the NZ charts">[https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Guy+Sebastian Guy Sebastian in the NZ charts].Charts.org.NZ. Retrieved 13 April 2010.</ref><ref>[http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/oldchart.asp RIANZ Archived Charts 1999–2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127021121/http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/oldchart.asp |date=27 November 2013 }}.[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] (RIANZ). Retrieved 17 September 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724195845/http://www.radioscope.net.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=61 Latest Gold/Platinum Singles]. RadioScope New Zealand. Archived from [http://www.radioscope.net.nz/ the original] on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121130103734/http://nztop40.co.nz/ Official New Zealand Music Charts – 26 November 2012].Recording Industry Association New Zealand (RIANZ). Archived from [http://nztop40.co.nz/ the original] on 25 November 2012.</ref> Sebastian is currently the Australian Idol contestant to chart in the US. "Battle Scars" reached No. 71 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], No. 23 on the [[Hot Digital Songs|''Billboard'' Digital Songs Chart]] and No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' R&B/Hip-hop Digital Song Chart.<ref>Adams, Cameron (11 September 2012)[https://web.archive.org/web/20130127065646/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/guy-sebastians-aria-number-one-song-battle-scars-with-lupe-fiasco-hits-73-on-the-us-billboard-hot-100/story-e6frfn09-1226471957412 Guy Sebastian's ARIA number one song Battle Scars with Lupe Fiasco hits 73 on the US Billboard Hot 100].news.com.au. Archived from [http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/guy-sebastians-aria-number-one-song-battle-scars-with-lupe-fiasco-hits-73-on-the-us-billboard-hot-100/story-e6frfn09-1226471957412 the original] on 29 January 2013.</ref><ref>{{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120912194223/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/14118857 |date=12 September 2012 }}Billboard.biz. Archived from [https://archive.today/20120912194223/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/14118857 the original] on 13 September 2012.</ref> It spent 20 weeks in the Hot 100 and has been certified triple platinum in the US for sales of three million.<ref>[http://acharts.us/song/72443 Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco - Battle Scars].aCharts.US. Retrieved 29 January 2013.</ref><ref name="Gold Platinum searchable database">[https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Lupe+Fiasco&ti=Battle+Scars#search_section Gold Platinum searchable database]. [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. Retrieved 12 August 2025</ref> "Battle Scars" also reached No. 2 in [[Norway]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121228040335/http://lista.vg.no/liste/topp-20-single/1/dato/2012/uke/49 VG Lista – Top 20 Singles. Issue 49 2012].[[VG Lista]]. Archived from [http://lista.vg.no/liste/topp-20-single/1/dato/2012/uke/49 the original] on 7 December 2012.</ref> In 2015 Sebastian was selected to represent Australia in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2015|Eurovision Song Contest]]. He finished 5th, and his song "[[Tonight Again]]" charted in the top 50 in a number of European countries, including No.6 in [[Iceland]] and 16 in [[Austria]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Idato|first1=Michael|title=Guy Sebastian to represent Australia|url= http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/eurovision-2015-swedens-mans-zelmerlow-wins-australias-guy-sebastian-fifth-20150524-gh8b1b.html|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=24 March 2015|date=24 March 2015}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150531054824/http://www.tonlist.is/Music/Chartlist/677/ Guy Sebastian – Tonight Again, Chartlist week 21, 2015]. Tonlist. Archived from [http://www.tonlist.is/Music/Chartlist/677/ the original] on 1 June 2015.</ref><ref>[http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Guy+Sebastian&titel=Tonight+Again&cat=s Guy Sebastian - Tonight Again]. AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved 4 June 2015.</ref> During his career Sebastian has received 32 [[ARIA Award]] nominations, winning six of them, including Best Pop Release and Best Live Act.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130926110926/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/search?q=Guy+Sebastian ARIA Awards History by Artist]. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from [http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/search?q=Guy+Sebastian the original] on 30 November 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120320201347/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/2010ARIAAwardNominationsandArtisanAwardwinnersannounced.pdf ARIA Nominations]. Australian Recording Industry Association. 28 September 2010. Archived from [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/2010ARIAAwardNominationsandArtisanAwardwinnersannounced.pdf the original] on 21 January 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120525092030/http://www.thevine.com.au/music/news/aria-award-nominees-announced-for-2011/ ARIA Award nominees announced for 2011].thevine.com.au. 12 October 2011. Archived from [http://www.thevine.com.au/music/news/aria-award-nominees-announced-for-2011/ the original] on 30 November 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120130044144/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/winners-of-the-2011-aria-awards-20111127-1o1mr.html Winners of the 2011 ARIA Awards]. Sydney Morning Herald. 27 November 2011. Archived from [http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/winners-of-the-2011-aria-awards-20111127-1o1mr.html the original] on 30 November 2012.</ref><ref>Zuel, Bernard (2 December 2013). [https://web.archive.org/web/20131202055154/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/no-idol-threat-as-guy-sebastian-and-jessica-mauboy-beat-curse-at-arias-20131201-2yju8.html No Idol threat as Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy beat curse at ARIAs]. ''Sydney Morning Herald''. Archived from the original [http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/no-idol-threat-as-guy-sebastian-and-jessica-mauboy-beat-curse-at-arias-20131201-2yju8.html#ixzz2mE2fOM] on 2 December 2013.</ref><ref>Smith, Sarah (6 October 2014). [https://web.archive.org/web/20141011233644/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/40788/Chet-Faker-and-Violent-Soho-lead-2014-ARIA-nominations Chet Faker and Violent Soho lead 2014 ARIA nominations]. Faster Louder. Archived from [http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/40788/Chet-Faker-and-Violent-Soho-lead-2014-ARIA-nominations the original] on 7 October 2014.</ref><ref>Cronin, Seanna (5 October 2016).[http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/flume-leads-nominations-30th-annual-aria-awards/3097059/ Flume leads nominations for 30th annual ARIA Awards]. Retrieved 5 October 2016.</ref><ref name="Here are all the winners from the 2019 ARIA Awards">[https://themusicnetwork.com/2019-aria-awards-winners/ Here are all the winners from the 2019 ARIA Awards].The Music Network. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.</ref>

Shannon Noll has released five top 10 albums.<ref>[http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Shannon+Noll australian-charts.com Shannon Noll Albums in Australian Charts] Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref> His debut album ''[[That's What I'm Talking About]]'' gained 5× platinum certification and his second album [[Lift (Shannon Noll album)|Lift]] reached 3× platinum, both debuting at No. 1 on the ARIA charts.<ref name="aria.com.au"/><ref>[http://aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-Accreditations-2006Albums.htm Australian Recording Industry Association Accreditations – 2006 Albums] Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref> His third album, ''[[Turn It Up (Shannon Noll album)|Turn It Up]]'', peaked at No. 3 and achieved platinum certification,<ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2007Albums.htm aria.com.au ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807134101/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2007Albums.htm |date=7 August 2008 }} Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref> His fourth album ''[[No Turning Back: The Story So Far]]'' reached No. 7, with his fifth album ''A Million Suns'' peaking at #8. Neither of these albums have gained certification. Between 2004 and 2007 Noll released ten top 10 singles including three #1's, and he is the only Australian male artist to have achieved 10 consecutive top 10 singles.<ref name="Shannon Noll Singles in Australian Charts">[http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=s&search=Shannon+Noll australian-charts.com Shannon Noll Singles in Australian Charts] Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120327143252/http://www.musictheatreaustralia.com.au/component/entertainers/shannon_noll/5150 Shannon Noll Biography]. Musical Theatre Australia. Archived from [http://www.musictheatreaustralia.com.au/component/entertainers/shannon_noll/5150 the original] on 25 January 2012.</ref> Since then he has released seven more singles, with two reaching the top 50, the highest one peaking at #26.<ref name="Shannon Noll Singles in Australian Charts"/> "[[What About Me (Moving Pictures song)|What About Me]]" was the highest selling single in Australia in 2004 and he received ARIA nominations for highest seller for it and his debut album at the 2004 Aria Awards.<ref name="Winners by year - 2004"/><ref>[http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2004.htm ARIA Charts Top 100 Singles 2004] Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref> He also received nominations for best pop release for his second album ''[[Lift (Shannon Noll album)|Lift]]'' and a highest selling single nomination for its lead single "[[Shine (Shannon Noll song)|Shine]]" in 2006.<ref name="Winners by year - 2006">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120110233351/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2006 Winners by year – 2006]. ARIA Awards. Archived from [http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2006 the original] on 25 January 2012.</ref> "Don't Give Up" a duet with [[Natalie Bassingthwaighte]] was nominated for highest selling single at the 2007 ARIA Awards.<ref name="Winners by year - 2007">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120124013549/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2007 Winners by year – 2007]. ARIA Awards. ARIA Awards. Archived from [http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2007 the original] on 25 January 2012.</ref> He has a total of 17 platinum and three gold certifications for albums and singles in Australia.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Noll's first single "What About Me" also reached No. 2 in Ireland and No. 10 in New Zealand, with his debut album peaking at No. 31 in NZ.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103012125/http://acharts.us/song/2428 Shannon Noll – What About Me].acharts.us. Archived from [http://acharts.us/song/2428 the original] on 25 January 2012.</ref><ref>[https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Shannon+Noll&titel=That%27s+What+I%27m+Talking+About&cat=a newzealandcharts.com Shannon Noll in the New Zealand Charts] Retrieved 13 October 2009</ref>

[[Paulini]] who came fourth has released two albums as a solo artist, [[One Determined Heart]] which reached No. 1 and gained platinum certification, and [[Superwoman (Paulini album)|Superwoman]] which peaked at #77. She has also released four top 50 singles including the No. 1 "[[Angel Eyes (The Jeff Healey Band song)|Angel Eyes]]", a platinum seller which was nominated for highest selling single at the 2004 ARIA Awards. In 2007, [[Paulini]] was nominated for "Urban Music Awards" for "Best R&B Album" & "Best Female Artist" for ''Superwoman''. Paulini was also a member of The Young Divas, who released two Top 10 albums and four Top 50 singles.

The other top 5 contestants in season one were [[Cosima De Vito]] who came 3rd, & [[Rob Mills]] who finished in 5th place. After Idol it was these five, the Final 5, who were the most successful out of the Top 12. Other Idol contestants from Season 1 to release music were [[Levi Kereama]], [[Rebekah LaVauney]], [[Peter Ryan (singer)|Peter Ryan]] and [[Courtney Act]]. All of these independent acts achieved limited success.

{| class="wikitable"
! Date
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Three
|-
|22 September
| style="text-align:center;background:silver;"|Mathew Chadwick
| style="text-align:center;background:silver;"|[[Peter Ryan (singer)|Peter Ryan]]
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"|Kelly Cavuoto
|-
|29 September
| style="text-align:center;background:silver;"|[[Cle Wootton]]
| style="background:silver;text-align:center;"|[[Lauren Buckley]]
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"|Kelly Cavuoto
|-
|6 October
| style="text-align:center;background:silver;"|[[Kelly Cavuoto]]
| style="background:silver;text-align:center;"|[[Rebekah LaVauney]]
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"|Levi Kereama
|-
|13 October
| style="text-align:center;background:silver;"|[[Levi Kereama]]
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"|Paulini Curuenavuli
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"|Shannon Noll
|-
|
| colspan="2" style="background:grey; text-align:center;"|'''Bottom Two'''
|-
|20 October
| style="background:silver;text-align:center;"|[[Rob Mills]]
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"|Cosima De Vito
|-
|27 October
| style="text-align:center;background:silver;"|[[Paulini Curuenavuli]]
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"|Guy Sebastian
|-
|3 November
| style="background:red;text-align:center;"|[[Cosima De Vito]]
|-
|19 November
| style="text-align:center;background:silver;"|[[Shannon Noll]]
| style="text-align:center;background:#09f;"|[[Guy Sebastian]]
|}

===Season 2===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 2}}
As well as the five larger cities, the judges also visited [[Canberra]], [[Hobart]], [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] and [[Tamworth, New South Wales|Tamworth]] this year. Of the twelve finalists, three were from Sydney, two were from Melbourne, and one each from [[Brisbane]], the [[Gold Coast, Australia|Gold Coast]], [[Hobart]], [[Perth]], [[Canberra]], [[Adelaide]] and [[Bega, New South Wales|Bega]].

The winner was [[Casey Donovan (singer)|Casey Donovan]]. The runners up (in descending order) were [[Anthony Callea]], [[Courtney Murphy]], [[Hayley Jensen]] & Chanel Cole. The final two, as well as [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] (7th), were the only contestants from the Top 12 to be signed to a record company.  Callea was the highest seller of the three, with his first release "The Prayer" spending five consecutive weeks at No 1, and becoming the second highest selling song in Australia last decade overall and for an Australian artist.<ref name="www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/delta-goodrems"/> Chanel Cole and Daniel Belle teamed up under the name [[Spook (band)|Spook]] to release an album in October 2005; a bootleg album for Chanel was also released in November 2005. Top 30 contestants [[Ngaiire Joseph]] and Marty Worrall each released a single in late 2005, and Hayley Jensen an album in September 2007. [[Daniel O'Connor (singer)|Daniel O'Connor]], another of the Top 12, gained a role on ''[[Neighbours]]''.

The Grand finale of this series remains the highest rated show out of all broadcast over the five seasons.

On a darker note, [[Telstra]], a major [[sponsor (commercial)|sponsor]] of the series, made an embarrassing error when they issued a series of half-page advertisements in major newspapers congratulating Donovan on her victory, with a reference to her website. However, the address was incorrect, leading to a website about [[homosexual|gay]] porn star [[Casey Donovan (porn star)|Casey Donovan]], rather than the singer's. The company issued a prompt apology upon realising their mistake.<ref>
{{Cite news
|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/11/22/1100972298598.html
|work=The Sydney Morning Herald
|title=Porn apology over Idol win
|date=22 November 2004
}}
</ref>

After this season, judge [[Ian Dickson (music mogul)|Ian Dickson]] left the series, later to appear in the [[Seven Network]] reality TV shows ''[[My Restaurant Rules]], [[Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' and most recently, ''[[Australian Celebrity Survivor]]''. The 2004 season was also notable for an Asian contestant named "Flynn", who sang the [[Freestylers]] song "Push Up" after being found from a terrible audition, in the same vein as [[William Hung]].

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Three
|-
|6 September
|Australian Made
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Angeline Narayan
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Emelia Rusciano
|Amali Ward
|-
|13 September
|Pop
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Dan O'Connor
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Hayley Jensen
|Marty Worrall
|-
|20 September
|1960s
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Amali Ward (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Hayley Jensen (2)
|Marty Worrall (2)
|-
|27 September
|Disco
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Emelia Rusciano (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Marty Worrall (3)
|Casey Donovan
|-
|4 October
|Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Daniel Belle
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Chanel Cole
|Hayley Jensen (3)
|-
|11 October
|The Beatles
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Ricki-Lee Coulter
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Chanel Cole (2)
|Marty Worrall (4)
|-
|18 October
|1980s
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Marty Worrall (5)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Casey Donovan (2)
|Hayley Jensen (4)
|-
|25 October
|R&B
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Chanel Cole (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Courtney Murphy
|-
|1 November
|Big Band
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Hayley Jensen (5)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Casey Donovan (3)
|-
|8 November
|1970s
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Courtney Murphy (2)
|-
|21 November
|Finale
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Anthony Callea
| style="background:#8cff78;"|[[Casey Donovan (singer)|Casey Donovan]] (3)
|}

===Season 3===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 3}}
For the first time in ''''Australian Idol'''' history there were 13 finalists. This came about during the Wildcard Verdict show on 5 September 2005. The judges initially chose James Kannis and Emily Williams to go through to the final. This left one spot which was chosen by the Australian public. Out of the remaining contestants the two that received the highest votes were Daniel Spillane and Roxane Lebrasse. With only 1% between them, Dan was announced as the final member of the Top 12. This meant Roxane had missed out yet again. The judges decided however that Roxane was too good to be left out of the Top 12 so they made it a Top 13. The catch was that two contestants were eliminated in the first round of the finals.

On 21 November 2005, the winner was announced and it was [[Kate DeAraugo]]. Kate was an outside chance to win throughout the whole season and after the show had ended Kate released a No. 1 single, a platinum selling album and a further Top 10 hit single through Sony BMG. Kate is currently working with all-girl group [[Young Divas]], which is made up of past ''Idol'' contestants which include [[Paulini Curuenavuli]], [[Jessica Mauboy]] and [[Emily Williams]].
Runner up [[Emily Williams]] lost by 1% in the closest percentage ever in an ''Idol'' finale. She was originally signed to Sony BMG as a solo artist, but the agreement fell through. She is also a member of [[Young Divas]] and has had much success with them.

[[Lee Harding]] finished in third position and was signed to Sony BMG and released a # 1 single and a platinum selling album. His second single from his debut album proved to be less successful and in mid-2006 Harding was released from his contract with the label. He is currently touring and performing with [[Bedrock (producers)|Bedrock]].

[[Dan England]] came 4th and didn't score a recording contract with a major label but recorded several independent releases and has toured with Season 2 winner [[Casey Donovan (singer)|Casey Donovan]] and Season 1 runner-up [[Shannon Noll]].

[[Australian Idol season 3#Anne Robertson|Anne Robertson]] who finished in sixth position was negotiating a deal with Sony BMG, but it was rumoured that Sony BMG was reluctant in signing her as they believed she was too similar to Season 1 contestant [[Paulini Curuenavuli]] who had been signed to the label for several years.
Other Idol contestants from Season 3 have released numerous independent material and have toured and performed with several bands and music groups.

Although averaging around the 1.5&nbsp;million viewer mark, ratings were down by up to 40% on average during the third season compared to the first two seasons, which regularly drew more than 2.5&nbsp;million viewers during the latter half of the competition. This created a serious situation for Ten, which was airing three ''Australian Idol'' shows every week at the time, and forced them to give away free commercial airtime to program sponsors expecting higher ratings. Commentators has theorised over the reasons why this has occurred, ranging from the viewing public being tired of the format due to Sandilands replacing the popular Dickson. This caused a major ''Idol'' revamp for Season 4 which meant Season 4 being one of the highest rating seasons yet.

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Three
|-
|12 September
|Australian Artists
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Tarni Stephens
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Chris Luder
|Milly Edwards
|-
|19 September
|1960s
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Natalie Zahra
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Laura Gissara
|James Kannis
|-
|26 September
|Rock Supergroups
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Laura Gissara (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|James Kannis (2)
|Daniel Spillane
|-
|3 October
|Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Roxane LeBrasse
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Milly Edwards (2)
|Daniel Spillane (2)
|-
|10 October
|Big Band
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Milly Edwards (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Dan England
|James Kannis (3)
|-
|17 October
|1980's
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|James Kannis (4)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Emily Williams
|Daniel Spillane (3)
|-
|24 October
|Motown
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Anne Robertson
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Daniel Spillane (4)
|Dan England (2)
|-
|31 October
|1970's
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Daniel Spillane (5)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Lee Harding
|-
|7 November
|Elvis Presley
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Dan England (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Lee Harding (2)
|-
|14 November
|Number Ones
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Lee Harding (3)
|-
|21 November
|Finale
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Emily Williams (1)
| style="background:#8cff78;"|[[Kate DeAraugo]]
|}

===Season 4===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 4}}
Changes for the fourth season of ''Australian Idol'' included the cancellation of "Inside Idol"; a "streamlined" semi-finals (replaced with a variant of the 12 females, 12 males format popularised by ''[[American Idol]]''); and the contestants will be able to bring instruments with them on stage for at least one of the final shows. Also, the fourth season's television promos promised a change in the viewer's role in the show, revealed to be an SMS service called 199-JUDGE which allows viewers to SMS their opinions on the judges' reactions.

[[Damien Leith]] was named the winner of Australian Idol 2006 on 26 November, beating [[Jessica Mauboy]] for the title. Leith is the fifth most successful Australian Idol contestant behind [[Guy Sebastian]], [[Shannon Noll]], Mauboy and [[Anthony Callea]]. He has been awarded 7 platinum and one gold certification and achieved sales of 525,000+. He has the third highest album sales for a contestant. He achieved two No. 1 albums, ''[[The Winner's Journey (Damien Leith album)|The Winner's Journey]]'' which sold 4× platinum and [[Where We Land]] which gained platinum certification. His first single, [[Night of My Life (Damien Leith song)|Night of My Life]] stayed at No. 1 for four consecutive weeks and was certified platinum after one week of sales. It was the fastest selling debut single for 2006. Leith won 4 ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards, and the 2007 [[ARIA Award]] for Highest Selling Album for ''The Winner's Journey''. His third studio album [[Catch the Wind: Songs of a Generation]] peaked at No. 2, reaching gold status.  His fourth album ''Remember June'' released in 2009 peaked at No. 25. In 2010 Leith released a covers album of [[Roy Orbison]] songs titled ''Roy'' which reached No. 2 and platinum certification. His sixth album ''Now and Then'' released in 2012 peaked at #12. He has also released two novels and hosted Network Ten's television series "Saving Kids".

Jessica Mauboy went on to join ex-Idol girl group [[Young Divas]], after member from season 2, [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]], left the group. Mauboy has since gained much success as a solo artist. Her first studio album [[Been Waiting]] peaked at No. 11, spent 59 weeks on the charts and achieved 2× platinum status. Mauboy has also enjoyed success with her singles "[[Running Back (Jessica Mauboy song)|Running Back]]" which was certified 2× platinum and second single "[[Burn (Jessica Mauboy song)|Burn]]" which reached No. 1 and achieved platinum status. Her third single "[[Been Waiting (song)|Been Waiting]]" peaked at No. 12, fourth single "[[Because (Jessica Mauboy song)|Because]]" peaked at No. 9 and her 5th single "[[Up/Down]]" peaked at #11. These three singles all reached gold certification. Her second studio album ''[[Get 'Em Girls (album)|Get 'Em Girls]]'' peaked at No. 6 and achieved gold certification. Five top 20 singles were released from the album, including 2 which achieved platinum and 2 double platinum certification. Mauboy has achieved 11 platinum and 5 gold certifications and received 12 ARIA Award nominations, including one win during her career as a recording artist. Third place getter [[Dean Geyer]] later released his debut album ''[[Rush (Dean Geyer album)|Rush]]'' and top ten single "If You Don't Mean It" and starred on the Australian long-time running soap ''[[Neighbours]]'' from 2008 to 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/sexy-plots-a-struggle-for-christian-geyer/story-e6frfmyi-1111118108490|title=Sexy plots a struggle for Christian Geyer|date=21 November 2008|website=news.com.au|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Three
|-
|11 September
|Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Joseph Gatehau
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Lavina Williams
|Reigan Derry
|-
|18 September
|Rock
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Reigan Derry (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Ricky Muscat
|Guy Mutton
|-
|25 September
|Number Ones
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Klancie Keough
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Dean Geyer
|Lavina Williams (2)
|-
|2 October
|Birth Year
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Guy Mutton (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Lisa Mitchell
|Jessica Mauboy
|-
|9 October
|Disco
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Lavina Williams (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Chris Murphy
|Ricky Muscat (2)
|-
|16 October
|Acoustic
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Bobby Flynn
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Lisa Mitchell (2)
|Ricky Muscat (3)
|-
|23 October
|Rock Swings
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Lisa Mitchell (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Dean Geyer (2)
|Ricky Muscat (4)
|-
|30 October
|ARIA Hall of Fame
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Ricky Muscat (5)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Dean Geyer (3)
|Damien Leith
|-
|6 November
|Audience Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Chris Murphy (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Dean Geyer (4)
|-
|13 November
|Judge's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Dean Geyer (5)
|-
|26 November
|Finale*
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|[[Jessica Mauboy]]
| style="background:#8cff78;"|[[Damien Leith]]
|}

===Season 5===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 5}}
[[Ian Dickson (music mogul)|Ian "Dicko" Dickson]] rejoined the show as one of the judges, along with [[Mark Holden]], [[Marcia Hines]] and [[Kyle Sandilands]] from 2006. The series was again hosted by [[Andrew Günsberg|Andrew G]] and [[James Mathison]]. The show continued with the format from Season 4 where contestants could use instruments throughout the show and for their audition they could perform original material rather than covering other artist's work.

[[Natalie Gauci]] went on to win the series, beating [[Matt Corby]] for the title. Natalie released her debut platinum selling album "[[The Winner's Journey (Natalie Gauci album)|The Winner's Journey]]". After the winner's single "[[Here I Am (Natalie Gauci song)|Here I Am]]" debuted at No. 2 on the [[ARIA Charts]], and the album debuted at No. 11. Natalie released her second album in 2012.

[[Carl Riseley]], who finished third in the contest went on to release a swing-style album titled "[[The Rise (Carl Riseley album)|The Rise]]", debuting at No. 5 on the ARIA Charts. Carl Riseley's 2nd cd "the stillest hour" was released 24 April 2009 and peaked at NO#1 on the ARIA jazz chart.

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Three
|-
|9 September
|Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Holly Weinert
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Lana Krost
|Brianna Carpenter
|-
|16 September
|Rock
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Brianna Carpenter (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Marty Simpson
|Jacob Butler
|-
|23 September
|Disco
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Lana Krost (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Tarisai Vushe
|Daniel Mifsud
|-
|30 September
|Acoustic
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Mark Da Costa
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Jacob Butler (2)
|Daniel Mifsud (2)
|-
|7 October
|Brit Pop
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Jacob Butler (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Carl Riseley
|Daniel Mifsud (3)
|-
|14 October
|Birth Year
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Ben McKenzie
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Matt Corby
|Marty Simpson (2)
|-
|21 October
|Judge's Choice/Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Daniel Mifsud (4)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Tarisai Vushe (2)
|Marty Simpson (3)
|-
|28 October
|Australian Made
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Tarisai Vushe (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Natalie Gauci
|-
|4 November
|Big Band
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Marty Simpson (4)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Carl Riseley (2)
|-
|11 November
|Audience Choice/Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Carl Riseley (3)
|-
|25 November
|Finale
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Matt Corby (1)
| style="background:#8cff78;"|[[Natalie Gauci]] (1)
|}

===Season 6===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 6}}
Changes to the Australian Idol format for season 6 include judge [[Mark Holden]]<ref name="markgoes">{{cite web | title=Mark Holden Quits Idol | access-date=14 May 2008 | url=http://www.yourtv.com.au/news/index.cfm?i=131840 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231003010/http://www.yourtv.com.au/news/index.cfm?i=131840 | url-status=dead | archive-date=31 December 2012 }}</ref> leaving the show and temporary absence of host [[Andrew Günsberg]], and auditions held for the first time in the United Kingdom.<ref name=ukauditions>{{Cite news | title=Australian Idol's LA auditions canned already | access-date=14 May 2008 | url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23515605-10388,00.html | agency=AAP | date=10 April 2008}}</ref> This was also the first season where the Top 4 contestants were all male, and the second time with two male grand finalists, after Season 1 Finale with Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll. On 23 November, [[Wes Carr]] was announced as Australian Idol for 2008, beating [[Luke Dickens]].

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Three
|-
|14 September
|Idols' Idols
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Jonny Taylor
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Teale Jakubenko
|Sophie Paterson
|-
|21 September
|'80s Music
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Brooke Addamo
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Sophie Paterson (2)
|Thanh Bui
|-
|28 September
|Aussie Hits
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Tom Williams
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Teale Jakubenko (2)
|Madam Parker
|-
|5 October
|[[ABBA]]
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Madam Parker (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Chrislyn Hamilton
|Roshani Priddis
|-
|12 October
|Rock
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Thanh Bui (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Teale Jakubenko (3)
|Sophie Paterson (3)
|-
|19 October
|[[Motown]]
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Sophie Paterson (4)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Mark Spano
|Teale Jakubenko (4)
|-
|26 October
|[[The Rolling Stones]]
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Roshani Priddis (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Luke Dickens
|Teale Jakubenko (5)
|-
|2 November
|[[Michael Jackson]]
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Chrislyn Hamilton (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Mark Spano (2)
|-
|9 November
|American Hits
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Teale Jakubenko (6)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Wes Carr
|-
|16 November
|Contestants Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Mark Spano (3)
|-
|23 November
|Finale
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Luke Dickens (1)
| style="background:#8cff78;"|[[Wes Carr]] (1)
|}

===Season 7===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 7}}

On 10 November 2008, it was announced that a seventh season of ''Australian Idol'' would be produced and aired in late 2009.<ref>[http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/11/looking-for-the-magic-touch.html Looking for the magic touch] TV Tonight 10 November 2008</ref>

James Mathison announced on 31 March 2009 that he was leaving the show after six seasons. Andrew G continued hosting along with [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] who was once again co-host.

On 1 June 2009, musical director John Foreman announced that he was also leaving the show after six seasons. Foreman's right-hand man, David Pritchard-Blunt, was announced as his replacement.

On 3 August, Kyle Sandilands was let go as a judge on ''Australian Idol'', after an [[Kyle Sandilands#Lie detector incident and sacking from Network Ten|on-air radio stunt went wrong]]. "Australian Idol is very much a family program and its appeal is very much right across the board, and we'd like to think that all families can enjoy the program in front of the TV," ''Idol'' Executive David Mott stated on the daily news.

It was announced on 3 August 2009, via a press statement from [[Network Ten]], that Sandilands had been sacked from ''Australian Idol'' due to this incident. He was replaced by Jay Dee Springbett,<ref name="ABC, 2019-08-29"/> a Sony music executive.

A Network Ten spokesman said of Sandilands' firing:
<blockquote>
"Idol has remained a family-focused show, even more so this year with the 6.30&nbsp;pm Sunday timeslot. His radio persona has taken on a more controversial position&nbsp;... which is not in the interest of the show."<ref name="Darren Devlyn with Geraldine Mitchell and Colin Vickery">{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25877881-2902,00.html |title=Kyle Sandilands dumped as judge on Australian Idol |author=Darren Devlyn with Geraldine Mitchell and Colin Vickery |access-date=4 August 2009 |date=4 August 2009 |publisher=[[The Herald Sun]]}}</ref>

</blockquote>
Of being fired from ''Australia Idol'', Sandilands said in a statement that "I'm disappointed at Channel Ten's decision to remove me from Australian Idol. I have truly loved being a part of the show." Network Ten had held crisis talks with advertisers in the days prior to his firing amid concerns Sandilands would damage their brands. Idol creator [[Simon Fuller]] reportedly gave Ten his blessing to fire Sandilands. It was believed Sandilands earned $1&nbsp;million of his estimated annual $2.8&nbsp;million income from Idol.<ref name="Darren Devlyn with Geraldine Mitchell and Colin Vickery"/>

The promotional commercial for the season featured various "Legends". It featured impersonations of Elvis, Madonna, Michael Jackson, the Supremes, Christina Aguilera, and Mariah Carey among others. The Australian Idol hopefuls were featured covering Mariah Carey's "Emotions" as the soundtrack to this commercial.

The 7th season began on 9 August at 6.30&nbsp;pm. This was the first year that previously rejected contestants could return to audition again. The only ineligible contestants were those who previously made the Top 12/13. Semi-finalists (Top 24/30) had the opportunity to re-audition for the show.

Season 7 was also broadcast in New Zealand, five days after the initial airing in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.throng.co.nz/australian-idol/australian-idol-back|title=Australian Idol is BACK! • Throng|date=29 July 2009}}</ref> This marked the return of the show to New Zealand screens after a 4-year absence.

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Three
|-
|6 September
|Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Ashleigh Toole
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Casey Barnes
|Tim Johnston
|-
|13 September
|Rock
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Casey Barnes (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|[[Sabrina Batshon]]
|Kim Cooper
|-
|20 September
|Top 10 Hits
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|[[Sabrina Batshon]] (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Kim Cooper (2)
|Nathan Brake
|-
|27 September
|'80s
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Tim Johnston (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Scott Newnham
|-
|4 October
|[[Pink (singer)|Pink]]
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Scott Newnham (2)
|Nathan Brake (2)
|-
|11 October
|Big Band
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Kim Cooper (3)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|[[Hayley Warner]]
|[[Kate Cook (singer)|Kate Cook]]
|-
|18 October
|Movie/Theatre
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Kate Cook (2)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|Stan Walker
|-
|25 October
|Contestant's Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Toby Moulton<sup>*</sup>
|Nathan Brake (3)
|-
|1 November
|Noughties Week
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|Nathan Brake (4)
| style="background:#f2d6d6;"|[[Hayley Warner]] (2)
|-
|8 November
|Power Anthems
| style = "background:#f99b9b;"|James Johnston
|-
|15 November
| Contestant's Choice & Winner's Single
|
|
|-
|22 November
| Finale
| style="background:#f99b9b;"|[[Hayley Warner]] (3)
| style="background:#8cff78;"|[[Australian Idol 2009#Stan Walker|Stan Walker]] (1)
|
|}
<small><sup>*</sup> Toby Moulton withdrew hence keeping original eliminee in the competition.</small>

===Season 8===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 8}}

In November 2020, the [[Seven Network]] announced that the show would be revived in early 2022, 13 years since it last aired. However, the revival was delayed to 2023.

On 28 September 2022, [[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] and [[Scott Tweedie]] were announced as the new hosts. [[Harry Connick Jr.]] alongside [[Amy Shark]], [[Meghan Trainor]] and [[Kyle Sandilands]] were announced as the judging panel for the revived series. On 24 October 2022, [[Marcia Hines]] was announced as a guest judge for the season.

Filming for the auditions took place in October 2022 in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and the Gold Coast. Filming for the top 50 took place at the [[Sydney Coliseum Theatre]].

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Four
|-
|27 February 
| Global Number One Hits
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Jasey Fox
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Maya Weiss
| Ben Sheehy
| Noora H
|-
|5 March 
| Judges' Song Contest
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Sash Seabourne
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Harry Hayden
| Ben Sheehy (2)
| Anya Hynninen
|-
| 12 March 
| Heroes & Tributes
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Noora H (2)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Angelina Curtis
| Amali Dimond
| Phoebe Stewart
|-
| 19 March*
| Viewers' Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Anya Hynninen
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Ben Sheehy (3)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Amali Dimond
| Royston Sagigi-Baira
| Phoebe Stewart
| Josh Hannan
|-
| 26 March 
| Grand Finale 
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Phoebe Stewart
| style="background:#8cff78;"| Royston Sagigi-Baira
|}
*19 March - all singers were up for elimination that week.

===Season 9===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 9}}

In June 2023, Seven confirmed Australian Idol would return for a ninth season in 2024.

[[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] and [[Scott Tweedie]] were announced as the returning hosts. [[Harry Connick Jr.]] and [[Meghan Trainor]] will not return as judges. [[Amy Shark]] and [[Kyle Sandilands]] were confirmed as returning judges from the previous season. It was also confirmed that [[Marcia Hines]] will return as a main judge for the series, after being a member of the original seven seasons of the show. On March 24, [[Guy Sebastian]] temporarily filled in for Hines, who was sent to hospital after collapsing, but returned for results night.

Filming for the auditions took place in October 2023.

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Four
|-
| 27 February 
| Party Anthems
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Imogen Spendlove
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Ripley Alexander
| TJ Zimba
| Ivana Illic
|-
| 5 March 
| Judges’ Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| TJ Zimba (2)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Tyler Hammill
| Kiani Smith
| Ivana Illic (2)
|-
| 11 March 
| Public’s Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Drea Onamade
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Kiani Smith (2)
| Dylan Wright
| Denvah Baker-Moller
|-
| 18 March*
| Viewers' Choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Ivana Illic (3)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Issac McCallum
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Trent Richardson
| Dylan Wright (2)
| Amy Reeves
| Denvah Baker-Moller (2)
|-
| 25 March 
| Grand Finale: Aussie Classics
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Denvah Baker-Moller (3)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Amy Reeves (2)
| style="background:#8cff78;"| Dylan Wright (3)
|}
*18 March - all singers were up for elimination that week.

===Season 10===
{{Main|Australian Idol season 10}}

In November 2024, Seven confirmed Australian Idol would return for a tenth season in 2025.

[[Ricki-Lee Coulter]] and [[Scott Tweedie]] were announced as the returning hosts with [[Amy Shark]], [[Kyle Sandilands]] and [[Marcia Hines]] returning as series judges. The season began airing on 2 February 2025.

{|class="wikitable"
! Date
! Theme
! colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| Bottom Four
|-
| 11 March 
| Movies
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Mzuki
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Aaliyah Duchesne
| Bony Onynango
| Hannah Waddell
|-
| 18 March 
| Superstar
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Hannah Waddell (2)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Bony Onynango (2)
| Jake Whittaker 
| John Van Beek
|-
| 24 March 
| Public's choice
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| John Van Beek (2)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Emma Jones
| Jake Whittaker (2)
| Jaymon Bob
|-
|31 March
| Heroes & Tributes
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Jake Whittaker (3)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| Jaymon Bob (2)
| style="background:#f99b9b;"| William Le Brun
!-
|-
|7 April
|Grand Finale: Solos and Celebrity Duets
|
|
|
|
|}

==Controversies==
===Weight comments===

After a performance, judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson told [[Paulini Curuenavuli]] that to wear the dress she had chosen she would need to "shed some pounds". This caused outrage and heated debate. The TV show ''20 to 1'' named the controversy in an episode of its show titled "Aussie Scandals". Kyle Sandilands claimed that 2005 winner, [[Kate DeAraugo]], had "tuck-shop arms".

===Hillsong voting claims===
In October 2007, criticism was levelled at the fairness of the program's telephone voting system, where 50% of the remaining contestants were stated by the media to be members of the [[Hillsong Church]]. The 50% of remaining contestants dispute was not put to rest- when Daniel and Ben both lied and said they did not have any affiliations with the Assemblies of God,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20071010-Australian-Idol-what-about-the-Buddhists.html |title=Australian Idol: Where are the singing Buddhists? |author=Jane Nethercote |work=[[Private Media Pty Ltd, Publishers of Crikey.com.au]] |access-date=10 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012132755/http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20071010-Australian-Idol-what-about-the-Buddhists.html |archive-date=12 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22558938-10229,00.html |title=Idol fans angry at vote bloc |author=Garth Montgomery |work=[[News Limited.]] |access-date=10 October 2007 |date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221015416/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C22558938-10229%2C00.html |archive-date=21 February 2009 }}</ref> and raising concerns of vote-stacking by the church congregation.

=== Revenue generation ===
In October 2017, reporter Neil Wooldridge stated that although the producers are coy about how much was being made from SMS promotions that "some commentators estimate Telstra and Network Ten, partners in the 'Australian Idol' program, made up to $900,000 profit each episode."

In 2003, it was estimated that viewers cast 20&nbsp;million votes. At 55 cents for each telephone call or text message, that equated to $11&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/busrpt/stories/s996349.htm |title=SMS Phenomenon |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=17 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050915081056/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/busrpt/stories/s996349.htm |archive-date=15 September 2005 }}</ref>  Network Ten paid around $13&nbsp;million for each season.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Television|Australia|Music}}
* [[List of Australian music television shows]]
* ''[[Idol series]]''
* [[List of Australian television series]]
* [[Australian Idol discography]]
* [[List of Australian Idol semi finalists]]
* [[Music of Australia]]
* [[Pop Idol]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0382400}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190411073936/http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=601110;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 ''Australian Idol'' at the National Film and Sound Archive]
* [https://australianidol2008.blogspot.com/ ''Australian Idol 2008 Blog'']

{{Australian Idol}}
{{Idol series}}
{{Seven Network programming}}

[[Category:2000s Australian reality television series]]
[[Category:2003 Australian television series debuts]]
[[Category:2009 Australian television series endings]]
[[Category:2020s Australian reality television series]]
[[Category:2023 Australian television series debuts]]
[[Category:Australian Idol]]
[[Category:Australian music television series]]
[[Category:Australian television series based on British television series]]
[[Category:Australian television series revived after cancellation]]
[[Category:Australian English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Music competitions in Australia]]
[[Category:Network 10 original programming]]
[[Category:Seven Network original programming]]
[[Category:Television series by Eureka]]
[[Category:Television series by Fremantle (company)]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Sydney]]