As Australia persists through snap lockdowns and continued border closures, plans were revealed today for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022, scheduled to take place February 25th and 26th at Queensland’s Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the Saturday night broadcast live and exclusively on SBS.

This year’s show was sidelined in favour of sending 2020’s winner, technicoloured queen Montaigne to Rotterdam. As we know, Australia stayed home for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (but still participated virtually) due to ongoing COVID-19’s restrictions. But best laid plans are being made by Australian broadcaster SBS and production partner Blink TV to reignite enthusiasm for choosing a song (and performer) to represent Australia for Italy 2022.

“Australia is home to so many talented artists and songwriters, and SBS is proud to provide this international platform for our nation’s incredibly diverse music community. Eurovision – Australia Decides is a unique opportunity for established and undiscovered songwriters to show us what they’ve got and for a suite of Australian artists to bring these songs to life on stage in February. It’s over to you Australia – let’s give Europe our best!” Marshall Heald, SBS’s Director of Television and Online Content, said.

Comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst will host again, and the event will be an opportunity for Australians to vote for their favourite artist and song to represent the nation on the world’s biggest stage. And that winner could be you! SBS have also called upon songwriters to submit an original composition as part of the national selection process, via their website: sbs.com.au/eurovision

The song portal, which represents over 100,000 Australasian songwriters, composers and music publishers, is now open for submissions until 26 September 2021. There are no restrictions on the number of songs composers and songwriters, both published and unpublished can submit.

Songs will be shortlisted and announced later this year, along with the ten Australian artists set to compete. Then it’s up to the Australian public and a Jury to decide who will take the stage at the 66th Eurovision Song Contest to compete for Eurovision glory.

The winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final which will be broadcast exclusively on SBS on Saturday 26 February, 2022 (AEST).