Australia has produced some of the world's most iconic singers and musical artists, from Kylie Minogue's pop anthems to AC/DC's rock legends and Sia's powerhouse vocals. Despite having a smaller population than the US and UK, Australian singers have consistently delivered chart-topping hits and Grammy-winning performances that shaped global music culture.
This guide explores 25 of the most famous Australian singers who have achieved international recognition across rock, pop, country, and alternative genres. While music preferences are personal and Australia's talent pool runs much deeper, these artists have undeniably left their mark on the industry.
Bon Scott (AC/DC)
For many, AC/DC would be at the top of their list of Australian artists. While the founding Young brothers (Malcolm and Angus) were both born in Scotland, they arrived in Australia in 1963 when they were very young.
The rock and roll band itself was also founded in Australia, and many of the members have been Australian. Interestingly, Bon Scott, the late lead singer from 1974 to 1980, was another Scottish-born musician who moved to Australia very young.
Naturally, Scots are very happy to attempt to claim AC/DC as their own, too, and who would blame them? AC/DC is one of Australia's best bands, and any country would be proud to call AC/DC their own, but if we're being really honest with ourselves, we know that they were proudly made in Australia. If you're new to AC/DC (aka Acca Dacca), where have you been? In any case, consider starting with their most popular songs such as “Highway to Hell”, “Thunderstruck”, or “Back in Black”.
Scott is famous worldwide for his incredible rock n' roll shriek, a vocal technique few can pull off to such an extent (and without completely destroying their vocal cords in the process!). His signature raspy, shouty singing voice matches perfectly with the blow-your-face-off sound of AC/DC and became synonymous with this brand of hard rock. It's amazing that replacement singer Brian Johnson is able to emulate the iconic sound!
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Chrissy Amphlett (Divinyls)
As the lead vocalist for Divinyls, she helped shape the rock music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Her distinctive voice and fearless stage presence made her a standout among Australian female singers. Known for hits like "I Touch Myself," Amphlett's influence extended far beyond her homeland.
Because of her persona, singing talents, presence in the rock world, and inspiring role model for girls and women, her legacy as one of the most influential female Aussie singers is still widely known across the globe.
Christine Anu
Known for her powerful performances and passionate commitment to Indigenous Australian culture, Christine Anu has made a significant impact on the music scene. Her hit song "My Island Home" has become an anthem of Australian pride, resonating deeply with listeners. With numerous awards to her name, Christine Anu continues to inspire new generations of artists. Her music not only entertains but also educates, making her a treasured icon in the world of vocal artistry. She even performed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony!
Darren Hayes (Savage Garden)
Savage Garden is an out-and-out pop duo from Brisbane who are probably most famous for their songs “I Want You”, "Truly Madly Deeply", "I Knew I Loved You", and "To the Moon & Back", to name a few.
Like many pop acts in the '90s, they didn't last long. Savage Garden only recorded two studio albums before splitting up. Both albums were #1 in Australia, with the first eponymous album also reaching #1 in New Zealand and Sweden, and the second album “Affirmation” also being #1 in Canada and Sweden.
That said, for such a short-lived duo, they had several #1 singles, with their most successful song going double-platinum in both Australia and the UK.
Hayes’s impressive vocal range and timbre made the music all that much more memorable. In 2023, Hayes was even a contestant on The Masked Singer, coming in second place as Grim Reaper! He is one of the most famous Australian musicians globally.
Guy Sebastian
One of the newest vocal powerhouses to represent Australia, Sebastian was the first-ever Australian Idol winner back in 2003. He was a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor for a few seasons and is currently a recurring host on The Voice Australia.
His music spans various genres, showcasing his versatility and making him a favourite among fans of all ages. As one of the most beloved Australian male singers, Guy Sebastian's impact on the music scene is undeniable, continuing to inspire and entertain with each performance.
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Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel)
Famous for his resonating, growly singing voice and impressive screams, Barnes is the cherry on top for the Cold Chisels, the whole combination solidifying them as a classic, beloved Aussie band. Among Australian music artists, Cold Chisel is one that many look upon fondly for its nostalgic factor, but they are still a relevant presence today.
His ability to effortlessly transition from soulful croons to gritty, raspy shouts adds an unparalleled intensity to the band's hard-hitting anthems. The band’s passionate performances are simply unparalleled.
Keith Urban
One of Australia's most successful countriy musicians. Keith Urban was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia at the age of two. Urban was an avid musician from a young age and has been active in the music industry since the early 1990s.
He found great success in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, the home of country music.
His voice perfectly suits the role of the iconic twangy, sauntering, smooth-sounding male country singer.
If you're looking for some Keith Urban songs to get you started, consider listening to “Brown Eyes Baby”, “Somebody Like You”, “One Too Many”, or “Blue Ain't Your Color”.
From there, you have plenty of studio albums to check out from a career that spans over 3 decades.
In addition to his music, Urban has also been a judge on the Australian versions of The Voice and Australian Idol. Throughout his career, he has won countless awards, including 30 #1 singles, 4 Grammys, 12 ACM Awards, 13 CMA Awards, 2018 Entertainer of the Year, and 15 million albums sold.
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue isn't just one of Australia's most famous singers—she's a global pop icon whose career spans four decades and shows no signs of slowing. Before conquering the music world, Kylie captured hearts as Charlene Robinson on Neighbours, Australia's beloved soap opera, where her 1987 on-screen wedding to Jason Donovan drew millions of viewers and launched her path to stardom.
Her transition to music that same year proved she was far more than a TV personality.
Early hits like "The Loco-Motion" (a vibrant reinvention of the 1962 Little Eva classic) and "I Should Be So Lucky" established her as the princess of late-80s bubblegum pop.
But Kylie Minogue's genius lay in her ability to evolve. By 2001, she'd transformed into a sophisticated dance-pop artist, releasing Fever and its inescapable single "Can't Get You Out of My Head"—a hypnotic track that topped charts in 40 countries and became one of the best-selling singles of the 21st century.
Her longevity is unmatched: in 2020, Disco made her the first female artist to achieve number-one albums in the UK across five consecutive decades. With over 80 million records sold worldwide, an OBE for services to music, and a Grammy Award, Kylie has cemented her status as pop royalty.
Kylie's cultural impact extends far beyond the charts. She's guest-starred in Doctor Who as the fan-favorite Astrid Peth, headlined a Las Vegas residency, earned an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University, won a BRIT Award in 2024 for her enduring contributions to music, and even inspired her own Barbie doll.
For some classic Kylie, you might want to look into “The Locomotion” or “I Should Be So Lucky”, which are both full-on 80s pop despite the former being a cover of a 60s rhythm and blues song.
Michael Hutchence (INXS)
Hutchence is often hailed as one of the best singers to have graced the global music scene. His ability to connect with the audience, coupled with his unique sound, propelled INXS to international stardom. Hutchence's contribution to music was not just in hits and chart-toppers but in the way he redefined what it means to be a performer.
While not particularly vocally nimble, his clear, smooth voice captures the ears, and the passion in his voice enraptures the soul.
Natalie Imbruglia
Much like Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia also started out as a cast member of Neighbours.
Her massive hit song “Torn” was a pervasive hit around the globe, ranking high in the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Her heartfelt tune is a quintessential cornerstone of the '90s.
The song itself is actually a cover, but it outperformed the original by a landslide.
Even without all her other studio albums, the impact of "Torn" is huge, and it's one of Australia's most popular songs.
The song holds the record for being the most played song on Australian radio, so if you've turned on the radio since the cover was released in 1997, you've likely heard it. Other popular Natalie Imbruglia songs include “Shiver”, “Wrong Impression”, and “Wishing I Was There”.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are an alternative rock band from Melbourne that's been active since the early 1980s. As their name suggests, they're fronted by the singer Nick Cave, famous for his baritone voice and captivating darkness.
Younger listeners may have already heard Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds as their song “Red Right Hand” has been used as the theme for the hugely popular British TV drama Peaky Blinders.
Other popular songs worth checking out include “O Children”, “Into My Arms”, and “Where the Wild Roses Grow”.
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John was born in the UK but moved to Melbourne when she was 5. She famously played Sandy in the film adaptation of "Grease" in 1978, represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest (losing out to Abba's "Waterloo"), and had a string of country hits in the US.
In fact, her country music career, which predated Keith Urban's success in the genre by a while, was met with controversy by some fans of the genre because she wasn't from the US. In addition to the Grease soundtrack, her most popular songs include “Physical” and “Xanadu”.
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Renée Geyer
Renée Geyer was an acclaimed Australian singer celebrated for her soulful, smoky voice and genre-defying style. Emerging in the 1970s, she became a fixture of Australia’s soul and R&B scene with hits like “It’s a Man’s Man’s World” and “Say I Love You.”
Her remarkable career spanned over five decades, during which she worked with international legends such as Sting and Joe Cocker.
Geyer was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing her status as one of Australia's most influential and beloved vocalists.
Sia
Sia is famous for being both a performer and a songwriter. Though a hugely successful songwriter and singer, she's never been one for fame and regularly performs wearing a mask or her hair covering her eyes, and rarely engages in promotion for her own music.
In addition to her own songs, which include hits like “Unstoppable”, “Chandelier”, and “Cheap Thrills”, she has written music for massive pop acts like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, and Maroon 5.
Her stage persona, music videos, and incredibly powerful voice all contribute to her continued popularity and fame.
Tina Arena
Rising to fame in the early 90s, her career spans multiple decades and genres, showcasing her versatility. With hits like "Chains" and "Sorrento Moon," Tina Arena has left an unforgettable mark on the Australian music scene. Her contributions have earned her numerous awards and recognition, making her a beloved figure both at home and internationally. She is one of the highest-selling artists in Australia of all time.
In 2019, she was appointed to a position on the board of the Australia Council for the Arts, which she held until May 2023.
Glenn Shorrock (Little River Band)
Glenn Shorrock’s career spans more than six decades and includes several bands and many years as a solo performer. But, he’s most well-known for his time with LRB. As LRB’s founding vocalist, he helped the band earn major success abroad with hits like “Emma,” “Help Is on Its Way”, and “Cool Change”. He has the rare distinction of being inducted twice into the ARIA Hall of Fame: once as the frontman of Little River Band (LRB) and again as a solo artist.
John Farnham (Little River Band, solo career)
Starting out as a teen pop sensation in the late 1960s with hits like "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)," John Farnham seemed destined for nostalgic obscurity—until he reinvented himself.
In 1982, he stepped in to replace Glenn Shorrock as the lead vocalist of the Little River Band, breathing new life into the established rock group.
But it was his departure from the band in 1985 that set the stage for his true legacy. At age 38, when many artists fade into the background, Farnham released Whispering Jack (1986), an album that would redefine Australian music history. The record's anthemic lead single "You're the Voice" became an instant classic, with its soaring vocals and stirring bagpipe solo capturing something essentially Australian—a call to empowerment that still resonates at sporting events and national celebrations decades later.
Winston McCall (Parkway Drive)
Venturing into heavier territory, Winston McCall stands as the powerhouse vocalist behind Parkway Drive, one of Australia's most successful metalcore exports.
What began as a group of friends jamming in Byron Bay in 2003 has evolved into an international metal phenomenon, selling out arenas across Europe, North America, and Australia.
McCall's ferocious vocal range—from guttural growls to commanding screams—has become instantly recognisable in the metalcore community and helped define the genre's modern sound. His raw intensity and stage presence have earned him respect as one of metal's most compelling frontmen.
Daniel Johns (Silverchair)
Johns is best known as the frontman of Silverchair when all the band members were just 15 years old. Their debut single, “Tomorrow”, was incredibly well-received, remaining at the number 1 spot for 6 weeks. Johns’ distinct singing voice made the band stand out and earned him the reputation as a popular Australian singer. He also has a decent solo career and is a talented guitar player.
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Russell Hitchcock & Graham Russell (Air Supply)
Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell are the inseparable duo behind Air Supply, the soft-rock sensation formed in Melbourne in 1975.
They quickly gained international recognition, with sales surpassing 100 million records sold worldwide.
The duo’s distinct vocals (especially Hitchcock's impressive tenor and range) made their hit love ballads like “Lost in Love” and “All Out of Love,” among others, immediately recognisable and irresistible.
Colin Hay (Men At Work, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, solo career)
Hay first became known for his work with the massively popular band Men At Work, but has also managed a successful music career after the group’s breakup in 1986.
His memorable and perfectly suited voice, combined with intriguing and clever lyrics, helped bring Australian rock to the world stage. His current music career showcases his talent, with both his solo work and projects with Ringo Starr being well-regarded.
Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock)
Wilson’s career includes being a founding member of two successful rock bands, as well as a solo career and a reputation as a prominent music producer. His 1971 smash hit “Eagle Rock” with Daddy Cool broke sales records, and the momentum continued in the 80s with Mondo Rock classics like “Cool World” and “State of the Heart.” He has been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame twice, once for his solo work and once with Daddy Cool. His voice makes him stand out as one of the most famous Aussie singers.
Johnny O’Keefe
Known as “The Wild One,” O’Keefe pioneered Australian rock and roll. His hit songs “Wild One,” “Shout!” and “She’s My Baby” made him one of Australia’s first chart-topping stars in the 1950s. His music was so acclaimed that it even became popular internationally, leading to a tour in the United States, which opened doors for future Aussie artists, too. His musical talent, paired with his charismatic personality, made him a music legend.
Stevie Wright (The Easybeats, Stevie Wright Band, Stevie Wright & the Allstars)
Wright was the frontman for The Easybeats, which was easily considered the first Australian pop band sensation in the 1960s. The band’s hit song “Friday on My Mind” made it to the number 1 spot in Australia and among the top in worldwide charts, catapulting them to international renown. Wright’s entertaining live performance style made him stand out even more, earning him a place as a pop culture icon.
Billy Thorpe (Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs)
Billy Thorpe and his band were extremely influential in Australia’s music scene in the 1960s, helping develop the iconic pub rock scene. Thorpe’s musical stylings evolved over the years, yet remained popular, proving his lasting influence. He went from pop idol to hard-rock pioneer, releasing legendary hits like “Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy” and the experimental space opera Children of the Sun. His instinct for rock music made him a symbol of Australia’s rebellious musical spirit.
You’ve just learned about a handful of incredible Australian vocal talents! There are sure to be many classics we didn’t mention today, and new talents on the cusp of being discovered as well. Share your favourite Aussie band in the comments!
Feeling inspired? You can learn how to become a songwriter, improve your voice, or learn a musical instrument with help from the amazing tutors here on Superprof! Who knows, maybe in the future, we'll be putting your name into lists like these!
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Ummm….. you forgot John Farnham ffs!
Hi Phae! Great suggestion! We’ll be sure to add John Farnham to our list when we update the article! 🎤️
How could you leave John Farnham…he is the best EVER.
Thanks for your comment! You’re absolutely right. John Farnham is a proper legend and should definitely be on the list. We’ll make sure to add him in when we give the article an update!
No Parkway Drive – no like.
You forgot timmy
No John Farnham but SIA was even considered? Try again.
Fair point! Farnham is a legend, and his absence is notable. Sia was included for her global impact. We’ll be sure to include Farnham when we update the list. Appreciate your input!
Agree 100% I’ve never heard of sia and to include Sebastian over Farnham is total rubbish.
How ya gonna leave out Daniel Johns and Silverchair?
Thanks for pointing that out! You’re absolutely right – Daniel Johns and Silverchair definitely deserve a mention! Cheers for reading and for the valuable feedback!
Yes,hard to capture everyone,but what about LRB,Air Supply,MenAt Work,Ross Wilson and John Stevens (NoiseWorks) can still sing better than most anywhere in the universe as well.
Please update Renee geyers profile . And take out Tina arena she is no longer a popular aust artist her politics has become i unpopular
Sherbet daddy cool mondo rock Ross Wilson Ronnie burns Russel morris mental as anything sky hooks JPY Molly meldrum LRB Ross D Wiley normie Rowe Billy Thorpe stevie wright easy beats VANDA & Young . You’ve left out 75% at least of great aust talent .. and the king Johnny O keefe . His image is what opens RAGE 3 times a week !
Your list seems to be political ! Guy Sebastian @ Tina arena attract boos from most these days