In Australia, as in other Western nations, one of the biggest developments in book culture in the 21st century has been the rise of audiobooks. 

Research to date suggests that a third of Australians listen to audiobooks, a rate that is similar to that in other Anglophone markets, and lower than many European markets, including Germany. Despite this significant number, several factors – including a focus on written literacy, a lack of reliable and focused data, and inattention until recently from scholarly researchers – has meant that very little is known about audiobook reading culture. 

The Audiobooks and Digital Book Culture survey took a snapshot of Australian audiobook consumption in October 2025, together with a parallel survey that ran in the German market. Completed by respondents who had listened to at least one audiobook in the past twelve months, it explored listening behaviours, preferences and experiences across the two markets, comparing these with other reading and cultural consumption and demographic characteristics. 

This report provides a sense of the shape, size and significance of audiobook reading in Australia, both as a market and as a distinctive, vibrant and multifaceted listening community.