Sia Leads Australia’s Global Music Export Charge as Emerging Markets Surge

Sia Makes History as Australia’s Top Export Artist

Sia Furler has become the first artist to twice top Spotify’s Global Impact List of Australian recording artists, cementing her status as the nation’s most commercially potent musical export. Her collaboration with David Guetta, “Beautiful People,” claimed the No. 1 spot on the 2025 tally, which is generated from global streams of Australian acts while excluding listening within Australia.

The Adelaide-born singer-songwriter previously topped the list in 2023 with “Gimme Love.” Her latest achievement underscores a broader pattern: Australian music is travelling further and reaching more diverse audiences than at any point in the nation’s recording history.

The Data Behind Australia’s Global Reach

Spotify’s 2025 data reveals the scale of Australian music’s international penetration. Australian artists were discovered 2.7 billion times globally by first-time listeners, a metric that highlights the platform’s role as a discovery engine for local talent. Export streams of Australian artists grew 37% from March 2021 to March 2025, with global streams of local acts up 69% since 2020.

The United States remained the top export market for Australian artists in 2025, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany. Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines and France also featured among the top ten export destinations. The most striking growth, however, came from emerging markets: South Africa recorded export growth of 99% over the past three years, followed by the Philippines at 64% and Colombia at 53%.

“It’s impossible not to feel the impact of Australian music wherever you go, whether that’s in the U.S., Europe, or emerging markets where local artists are finding passionate new fans,” said Leah Harris, Spotify’s AUNZ head of artist and label partnerships.

Beyond Sia: A Diversified Export Portfolio

The Global Impact List reveals that Australia’s export success is not dependent on a single superstar. Tame Impala’s psychedelic pop project placed seven songs on the top 50, all from their fifth studio album Deadbeat, with four tracks in the top 15. The Kid LAROI, the Sydney-raised, Los Angeles-based singer, also scored seven entries, including top-ten appearances with “I Know Love” featuring Tate McRae and “A COLD PLAY”.

The top tier of Australian export artists further includes Dom Dolla, Dean Lewis, Rüfüs Du Sol, Royel Otis and Lithe, representing a diverse cross-section of genres from electronic and indie to hip-hop and alternative. This diversification reduces the sector’s vulnerability to the commercial fortunes of any single artist.

Economic Impact and Industry Context

The export surge translates into measurable economic value. According to ARIA, Australian music exports exceeded $1 billion in 2024-25, contributing approximately 10% of the total Australian music industry revenue of $10.76 billion. APRA AMCOS reported that international revenue for local songwriters and composers hit a record A$98.8 million, up nearly 15% year-on-year.

Spotify’s direct financial commitment to the Australian market has also deepened. The platform paid out AUD $330 million to Australian music rightsholders in 2025, a 7% year-over-year increase, with approximately half going to independent artists and labels. More than 370 Australian artists now earn over $100,000 annually from Spotify alone, double the number from 2017.

The Export Trajectory Ahead

Australia’s music export performance in 2025 demonstrates that the nation’s creative output can compete on a global stage. Yet sustained growth will depend on continued investment in export infrastructure, including programs such as Sounds Australia and the Export Market Development Grants scheme, which industry bodies have identified as critical to maintaining momentum. As emerging markets in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America continue to open up, Australian artists are positioned to capitalise on a genuinely borderless musical landscape.