The Australian internet advertising market has recorded its strongest ever March quarter, reaching $4.9 billion in Q1 2026, according to the IAB Australia Internet Advertising Revenue Report released today.

Audio advertising grew 8.3% year-on-year to $83.5 million with podcasting outperforming streaming audio. Podcasting increased 12.6% year-on-year to $32.6 million, while streaming audio grew 5.7% to $50.9 million.

Total audio however was down 11.3% quarter-on-quarter, consistent with a seasonal pullback from the December quarter peak.

Automotive had largest increase in share of general display year-on-year across the industry categories, up 1.7 percentage points. Retail, insurance and travel increased their share too while government advertising increased both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, linked to federal campaigns around the fuel crisis in February and March.

Health and beauty, entertainment and media, and FMCG recorded the largest year-on-year share declines.

The full Q1 2026 report can be found here.