4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Have you got what it takes to be the next Australian Idol?
Fancy yourself as a singer?
Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night?
Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath.
"We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald.
"We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply.
"Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July."
In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you."
A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though.
To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label.
And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition.
That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range").
Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up.
If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people.
And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios.
"Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said.
Fancy yourself as a singer?
Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night?
Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath.
"We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald.
"We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply.
"Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July."
In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you."
A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though.
To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label.
And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition.
That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range").
Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up.
If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people.
And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios.
"Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said.
Fancy yourself as a singer?
Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night?
Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath.
"We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald.
"We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply.
"Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July."
In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you."
A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though.
To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label.
And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition.
That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range").
Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up.
If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people.
And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios.
"Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said.
Fancy yourself as a singer?
Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night?
Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath.
"We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald.
"We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply.
"Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July."
In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you."
A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though.
To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label.
And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition.
That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range").
Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up.
If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people.
And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios.
"Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said.
