Every year for the past six years, someone writes an article about the vinyl comeback. And every year, vinyl sales in Australia grow. At some point, “comeback” becomes “established market segment,” and I think we’re there.

According to ARIA’s latest figures, vinyl sales in Australia generated over $80 million in revenue in 2025, up roughly 15% year-on-year. Vinyl now represents about 5% of total recorded music revenue. That’s not dominant, but it’s not negligible either.

What does this actually mean for Australian artists and the broader music industry? Let me break it down.

The Numbers

Australia’s vinyl market has some specific characteristics that differ from the global picture.

Most vinyl sold in Australia is by established artists. The top sellers are catalogue reissues (Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd) and current major label releases that get vinyl treatment as part of their release strategy. Independent Australian artists represent a small fraction of total vinyl sales, though that fraction is growing.

The average price of a new vinyl LP in Australia is $40-$55. Limited editions, coloured vinyl, and imports can run $60-$100 or more. This pricing means vinyl buyers are typically older (25-45), with disposable income, and interested in music as a physical, collectible experience.

Record store sales remain the primary channel, with JB Hi-Fi and independent record stores splitting the market. Online sales through artist websites and platforms like Bandcamp are growing but still secondary.

Why People Buy Vinyl

I’ve talked to enough vinyl buyers to identify the main motivations.

The ritual. Playing a record involves intention. You choose an album, remove it from the sleeve, place it on the turntable, and listen. It’s an antidote to the endless, passive scrolling of streaming. Multiple vinyl buyers described the experience in almost meditative terms.

Sound quality. This is debatable among audiophiles, and I’m not going to wade into the analogue-vs-digital debate. What’s inarguable is that many people perceive vinyl as sounding warmer and more present than digital formats. Whether that perception is technically accurate matters less than the fact that it drives purchasing behaviour.

Artwork and packaging. A 12-inch album sleeve is a canvas that a phone screen can’t replicate. Gatefold sleeves, lyric inserts, artist notes, and visual design are part of the vinyl experience. For artists, this is a creative opportunity that streaming and digital downloads don’t offer.

Collecting. Vinyl is a tangible object in a digital world. Limited pressings, coloured variants, and special editions appeal to collectors. Some vinyl buyers are motivated primarily by the collecting aspect, treating records as cultural artefacts as much as listening material.

Artist support. Multiple vinyl buyers told me they buy records specifically to support artists they love, knowing that the financial return from a $50 vinyl sale is substantially better than from streaming. A single vinyl sale can generate more revenue for an independent artist than 10,000 streams.

What It Means for Australian Artists

If you’re an independent Australian artist, vinyl is worth considering as part of your release strategy. But it comes with significant caveats.

Manufacturing costs are high. A pressing run of 300 units (the minimum for most Australian pressing plants) costs $3,000-$4,500 depending on specifications. At a retail price of $40-$45, you need to sell about 100 units to break even before distribution and shipping costs.

Lead times are long. Australian pressing plants have wait times of 3-6 months. International plants (which some Australian artists use for cost reasons) can be slightly faster but add shipping time and customs complexity.

You need an audience that wants vinyl. Not every fanbase is a vinyl-buying audience. Electronic music, metal, and indie rock fans tend to be strong vinyl buyers. Pop and hip-hop audiences may prefer other formats. Know your audience before committing.

Sell at shows. The best place to sell vinyl is at live shows, where fans are already engaged and you avoid distribution costs. A $40 vinyl sold at a gig generates $35-38 in revenue. The same vinyl sold through a distributor and record store might generate $15-20.

The Pressing Plant Situation

Australia has a limited number of vinyl pressing plants, and demand currently exceeds capacity. This creates bottlenecks that particularly affect independent artists, who can’t command the priority that major label orders receive.

There’s been investment in new pressing capacity, with a new plant opening in Melbourne in 2025 and expansions at existing facilities. But the global supply of pressing machines is finite, and growing demand continues to strain the system.

For independent artists, the practical implication is: plan ahead. If you want vinyl for a specific release date, start the manufacturing process at least six months in advance.

The Environmental Question

Vinyl records are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is not recyclable in standard recycling streams and has environmental concerns in manufacturing. As the music industry faces increasing pressure to address its environmental impact, vinyl’s footprint is worth acknowledging.

Some manufacturers are experimenting with recycled PVC and bio-based alternatives. These options aren’t widely available yet but represent a direction the industry should be moving in.

My Take

Vinyl isn’t going to replace streaming. It’s not trying to. It’s a complementary format that serves different needs — the desire for physical objects, the pleasure of intentional listening, the economics of direct artist support.

For Australian artists with the right audience and the budget for manufacturing, vinyl is a smart addition to your release strategy. For others, it’s a nice-to-have rather than a necessity.

The vinyl resurgence is real, but it’s important not to romanticise it. It’s a niche market with genuine appeal, not a revolution in how people consume music. Know what it is, use it where it makes sense, and don’t feel obligated to press records if your audience lives entirely on Spotify.