Australia Will Compete in Eurovision 2015

The EBU (Eurovision Broadcasting Union) announced today that for the first time ever, Australia will be allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place this May in Vienna. Australians have been watching the Contest for years, but because they are not members of the EBU, they have never been able to participate.

This is huge news for Australian fans, but it should be understood that this is intended as a one-time opportunity, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision. If Australia does indeed win the Contest, they will be allowed to send an additional entry next year. And a European city will host, with the help of Australian broadcaster, SBS.

Australia will advance directly to the grand final, held on May 23. This was decided so as not to take votes away from other countries who are participating in the semi-finals. Australian viewers will also be able to vote for the first time, in both the semi-finals and the final.

At last year's Eurovision in Copenhagen, Australia had the honor of performing the interval act during the second semi-final. SBS sent Jessica Mauboy and her song, "Sea of Flags."

This brings the total number of participants to 40, which is the largest Eurovision in its history. Australia joins the Big 5 countries: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK; host country, Austria; and Armenia, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Albania, Belarus, Denmark, Georgia, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.