Australian Story (1996)

Australia's most enduring documentary series, letting real people tell their own stories — unfiltered, unscripted, and without a narrator — since 1996.

Australian Story - Series Information

  • Original Title: Australian Story
  • First Air Year: 1996
  • Last Air Year: 2026
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Documentary, News
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 31
  • Number of Episodes: 1105
  • Status: Returning Series
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Networks: ABC TV

Australian Story - Plot

Putting the "real" back into reality television, Australian Story is an award-winning documentary series with no narrator and no agendas — just authentic stories told entirely in people's own words.

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Australian Story - Cast & Crew

Main Cast

  • Caroline Jones
  • Leigh Sales
  • Sam Neill
  • Paul Hogan
  • Ben Gillies
  • Chris Joannou
  • Joel Edgerton
  • David Graham
  • Gretel Killeen
  • Camilla Severi

Executive Producers

  • Caitlin Shea

Australian Story - FAQs

What is Australian Story about?

Australian Story is a long-running ABC TV documentary series that presents personal narratives of remarkable Australians — from celebrities to everyday people — without a narrator or editorial agenda. Subjects tell their own stories in their own words, making each episode an intimate and unfiltered portrait of real lives.

Where can you watch Australian Story?

Australian Story airs on ABC TV in Australia and is available to stream on ABC iview, the national broadcaster's free on-demand platform. You can also compare all available viewing options for your region via JustWatch, which lists current streaming and broadcast availability.

How many seasons does Australian Story have?

Australian Story has aired 31 seasons since its debut in 1996, accumulating over 1,100 episodes. The series continues to air new episodes, with Series 2026 currently in progress, cementing its status as one of Australia's longest-running documentary programs.

Has Australian Story won any awards?

Yes. Australian Story has received numerous accolades over its three-decade run, including multiple AACTA Awards and Logie Awards. It is widely regarded as one of Australia's most respected and decorated television documentary series, recognised for its journalistic integrity and storytelling quality.

Who are the presenters of Australian Story?

Australian Story has been presented by Caroline Jones, who helmed the program for many years, and Leigh Sales, who took over presenting duties. The series features a wide range of subjects appearing as themselves, including public figures such as Sam Neill, Paul Hogan, Joel Edgerton, and Grace Tame.

Is Australian Story still being made in 2025?

Yes, Australian Story is currently a returning series and remains in active production. Series 2025 delivered 37 episodes, and Series 2026 has already begun airing, confirming the program's ongoing commitment to bringing new Australian stories to audiences each year.

What makes Australian Story unique among documentaries?

Australian Story's defining feature is its complete absence of a narrator or external commentary. Every episode is constructed entirely from the words of its subjects and those close to them. This approach strips away journalistic mediation, creating an unusually direct and emotionally resonant form of documentary storytelling.

What genre is Australian Story?

Australian Story is classified as a Documentary and News series. It blends the observational depth of documentary filmmaking with the current-affairs relevance of news journalism, profiling both well-known Australians and private individuals whose stories carry broader cultural or social significance.

More About Australian Story

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