
Australia has a diverse range of newspapers catering to different regions and ideologies. While print media is on a decline, electronic newspapers are surging in popularity. The Herald Sun, based in Melbourne, is the most circulated daily newspaper in the country, with a weekday circulation of 350,000 and a claimed readership of 1.26 million. However, in 2021, the Sydney Morning Herald was deemed the most-read newspaper in the country, with an online and print audience of 8.6 million readers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular newspaper in Australia | The Herald Sun, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian |
| Basis | The Herald Sun has the highest circulation in Australia. The Sydney Morning Herald has an online and print audience of 8.6 million readers. The Australian has a print and digital readership of 4.4 million. |
| Owner | The Herald Sun is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. The Sydney Morning Herald is owned by Nine Entertainment Co. The Australian is owned by News Corp. |
| Publication frequency | The Herald Sun is published daily from Monday to Saturday. The Sydney Morning Herald is published daily from Monday to Saturday. The Australian is published daily. |
| Format | The Herald Sun is a broadsheet. The Sydney Morning Herald is a tabloid. The Australian is a broadsheet. |
| Region served | The Herald Sun serves Melbourne and Victoria. The Sydney Morning Herald serves Sydney, New South Wales. The Australian is distributed nationally. |
| Age | The Herald Sun was established in 1990. The Sydney Morning Herald was founded in 1831. The Australian has been published since 1964. |
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What You'll Learn
- Herald Sun: Melbourne's highest-circulating daily newspaper
- Sydney Morning Herald: Australia's most-read news outlet
- The Australian: the first newspaper with 100,000+ paying online subscribers
- The Daily Telegraph: a tabloid newspaper published in Sydney
- The Courier-Mail: Brisbane and Queensland's No.1 news source

Herald Sun: Melbourne's highest-circulating daily newspaper
Herald Sun is a conservative daily tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Corp Australia, which is itself a subsidiary of the American Murdoch-owned News Corp. Herald Sun was established in 1990 with the merger of the afternoon daily The Herald and the morning daily The Sun News-Pictorial. It primarily serves Melbourne and the state of Victoria and shares many articles with other News Corporation daily newspapers, especially those from Australia. It is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and border regions of South Australia and southern New South Wales.
In 2017, the Herald Sun was the highest-circulating daily newspaper in Australia, with a weekday circulation of 350,000 and a claimed readership of 1.26 million. The Herald Sun's website was the 74th- and 125th-most-visited website in Australia, as of August 2015, according to third-party web analytics providers Alexa and SimilarWeb. In 2015, SimilarWeb rated the site as the 15th-most-visited news website in Australia, attracting almost 6.6 million visitors per month.
The Herald Sun has been criticised for its use of racialised language in a 32-month campaign attacking supposed African gangs in Melbourne, despite denials from civic and state leaders, community members, and the police about the existence of such gangs. In 2021, the Herald Sun published a factual report by journalist Serena Seyfort about a woman accused of detonating a Molotov cocktail in a Melbourne suburb. The article was criticised for its prominent and repeated references to the transgender status of the accused and its use of her former name without any apparent public interest justification.
The Herald Sun has a long history, dating back to 1855 when it was known as The Melbourne Herald before becoming The Herald in September 1855, a name it retained for the next 135 years. In 1986, The Herald's Saturday edition, The Weekend Herald, was closed. The Sun News-Pictorial was founded in 1922 and bought by The Herald and Weekly Times in 1925. At its peak, The Herald had a circulation of almost 600,000.
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Sydney Morning Herald: Australia's most-read news outlet
The Sydney Morning Herald, founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, is Australia's oldest continuously published newspaper and the country's most-read news outlet. It is published in compact print form from Monday to Saturday and digitally as an online site and app, seven days a week. The Sunday edition is published under the name The Sun-Herald.
The Sydney Morning Herald has a total cross-platform readership of 7.3 million readers across the country, with 3.94 million readers choosing its Sydney competitor, The Daily Telegraph. The Herald's readership is now 78 per cent larger than its direct competitor. The Herald and Age's Saturday edition, Good Weekend, is Australia's most-read inserted magazine, attracting an average issue print readership of 808,000.
The Herald's print edition is available for purchase throughout the Sydney metropolitan area, most parts of regional New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and South East Queensland. It is owned by Nine Entertainment Co, previously known as John Fairfax and Sons Limited, which has controlled the newspaper for almost 150 years. The editorial policies were based on "principles of candour, honesty and honour".
The Sydney Morning Herald publishes a variety of supplements, including magazines, a "Page for Women", "Modern Guru", which features humorous columnists, and "The Two of Us", containing interviews with a pair of close friends, relatives, or colleagues.
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The Australian: the first newspaper with 100,000+ paying online subscribers
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published by News Corp Australia since 14 July 1964. It is the only Australian daily newspaper distributed nationally. Its editorial stance has been described as centre-right, and it has long maintained a focus on issues relating to Aboriginal disadvantage.
In October 2017, The Australian claimed to be the first newspaper in Australia to achieve over 100,000 paying online subscribers. This milestone was reached exactly six years after the publication introduced a paywall, with the editor-in-chief, Paul Whittaker, calling it "a digital coming of age". The Australian's CEO, Nicholas Gray, attributed this success to a "relentless commitment to delivering value for our subscribers".
The Australian has consistently innovated across digital platforms, relaunching its iPad and iPhone apps, launching a "Voice" news service via Google Home, and developing new storytelling tools for its investigative journalism.
The newspaper has a history of campaigning against the Whitlam government, which led to its journalists striking over editorial direction in the 1975 election. It has also been recognised for its investigative reporting, with several journalists receiving Walkley Awards.
As of September 2019, The Australian had a combined print and online readership of 2,394,000.
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The Daily Telegraph: a tabloid newspaper published in Sydney
The Daily Telegraph, also known as The Telegraph, is a tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, Australia. It was founded in 1879 by Arthur B. Sleigh as The Daily Telegraph and Courier, with the first edition costing just one penny. The paper's motto, "Was, is, and will be", was included in its emblem from 1858.
The Daily Telegraph has traditionally been opposed to the Australian Labor Party and often supports the Liberal Party of Australia. It has a history of advocating for Federation and has a conservative bias, with high-profile columnists predominantly sharing right-leaning views.
In terms of circulation, The Daily Telegraph has experienced a decline in print readership, with weekday print circulation falling from 310,724 in June 2013 to 221,641 in June 2017. However, it remains a popular news source, with a total monthly readership of 4,500,000 people via print and digital platforms as of October 2018.
The newspaper has had several notable scoops over the years, including an eyewitness account of the outbreak of World War II and the 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal, which led to political resignations.
In summary, The Daily Telegraph is a well-known tabloid newspaper in Australia, with a significant readership and a history of influential reporting. It plays an essential role in shaping political discourse and providing news and insights to its audience.
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The Courier-Mail: Brisbane and Queensland's No.1 news source
The Courier-Mail is Brisbane's and Queensland's most-read newspaper, offering unrivaled coverage of local, national, and international news. With a rich history dating back to 1846, it has firmly established itself as the leading source of information and insight for the region. The publication's print and digital arms reach a vast audience, providing comprehensive coverage and analysis while also offering a platform for community engagement and interaction.
The Courier-Mail's print edition is a staple of Brisbane and Queensland households, with a circulation covering the entire state and an avid readership that relies on its timely delivery of news and features. Its digital presence, couriermail.com.au, complements the print offering, providing up-to-the-minute news and a range of multimedia content, including videos, podcasts, and interactive graphics. This digital platform ensures that readers can access the latest information and stay connected wherever they are.
Recognized for its award-winning journalism, The Courier-Mail boasts a team of experienced and dedicated reporters, photographers, and editors who work tirelessly to deliver accurate and insightful news. Their commitment to uncovering the truth and holding those in power to account has earned the publication a reputation for excellence and trustworthiness. The Courier-Mail's investigative reporting and in-depth analysis provide readers with a deeper understanding of the issues that matter most to them and their communities.
Beyond its news coverage, The Courier-Mail also showcases a diverse range of sections, catering to a variety of reader interests. From comprehensive sports coverage, including dedicated sections for local teams and sports, to lifestyle, entertainment, and opinion pieces, the publication offers something for everyone. Its real estate and automotive sections provide valuable resources for those seeking property or vehicle purchases, while its career and employment sections offer practical guidance and opportunities.
Community engagement is a key focus for The Courier-Mail, and it actively involves itself in initiatives that benefit the people of Brisbane and Queensland. Through sponsorships, partnerships, and community events, the publication connects with its readers and contributes to the social fabric of the region. Recognizing the importance of giving back, The Courier-Mail also plays an active role in fundraising and charitable efforts, making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
As Brisbane and Queensland's No.1 news source, The Courier-Mail continues to evolve, adapting to the changing media landscape while remaining true to its core values of delivering accurate, timely, and relevant news and information. Its commitment to its readers and the community it serves ensures that it remains the go-to source for news and engagement, both now and into the future.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sydney Morning Herald is regarded as Australia's most-read newspaper, with an online and print audience of 8.6 million readers as of September 2021.
Other popular newspapers in Australia include The Australian, The Australian Financial Review, The Herald Sun, and The Daily Telegraph.
As of September 2022, The Australian had a print and digital readership of 4.4 million.
The Australian Financial Review reached an average of approximately 3.7 million readers as of September 2022.
Yes, The Mercury in Tasmania and the Saturday edition of Northern Territory News in the Northern Territory are the most circulated newspapers in their respective regions.











































