Sales value of CD albums in Australia 2013-2022

In 2022 in Australia, the total value of CD albums sold reached 19.53 thousand Australian dollars. This represents a drop from the previous year when it amounted to 23.96 thousand Australian dollars, and a continued year-on-year downward trend.

CDs in Australia

Back in time, the introduction of compact disks in the early 1980s completely changed the way Australians listened to music. Australia saw a peak in CD sales in the late 1990s, however, the rise of online music downloads and digital streaming services has resulted in a sales drop. In 2022, the wholesale sales volume of CD albums sold in Australia totaled around 1.8 million units, which marked a decrease from the previous year. The sales volume of CD albums sold has been on the decline since 2016. Despite this, CDs continue to be the favored choice for audiophiles and music collectors who like the tactile feel of physical media and its higher sound quality.

Music consumption diversity

Digital technology has changed Australia's music-listening practices, making them more varied and innovative. The rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music gives users rapid access to a huge music library. In 2020, the digital music distribution market in Australia reached around one billion Australian dollars and is projected to increase to around 1.4 billion Australian dollars by 2024. Furthermore, vinyl records are becoming increasingly popular again among collectors and audio enthusiasts who value the nostalgic warmth and analog quality they offer. In 2022, Australia saw a sales increase of approximately one million vinyl records, marking a continued uptrend over the past five years. Overall, the Australian music scene provides a wide range of opportunities to experience the global language of music, from live concerts and various records to internet streaming.