Culcairn’s IIlyish Retallick from the 2025 series.
As of March 29, 2025, Channel Seven has confirmed Australian Idol will return for its 11th season in 2026, with auditions kicking off soon in Wagga. While exact dates are still under wraps, registration is already live at idolauditions.com.au.
Historically, auditions begin in mid-2025 for the following year’s season.
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 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 Ten for its first seven series and was broadcast on the 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.
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.
In Season 2 in addition to the above cities, auditions were also held in Tamworth, Canberra and Hobart.
Now Australian Idol is calling on Wagga Wagga to show their singing talent.
To audition for Australian Idol, you must: Be 15 to 35 years old (as of October 1, 2025).
Be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or current permanent resident of Australia and not have an existing contract with any other TV show or record label.
You can audition at idolauditions.com.au
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