Coverage will be available across the Vision Australia Radio network as follows:
- Adelaide: IRIS Digital Radio Adelaide — all day, every day
- Melbourne: IRIS Digital Radio Melbourne — all day, every day
- Perth: IRIS Digital Radio Perth — all day, every day
- Darwin: VAR Digital Radio Darwin — from 5.30pm local time
- Regional Victoria and Albury: Vision Australia Radio local services — from 7.00pm local time
Outside of these broadcast times, all regular Vision Australia Radio programming will continue as scheduled.
Listeners can find their local service details and online listening options at varadio.org.
A broadcast designed for accessibility
Vision Australia Radio exists to meet the information needs of people who are blind, have low vision or live with a print disability.
The network is supported by more than 600 dedicated volunteers across 17 radio services nationwide, including AM, FM and DAB+ platforms.
The Australian Open simulcast continues an established annual partnership with AO Radio and Tennis Australia, ensuring listeners can enjoy one of the world’s premier sporting events in an accessible, audio‑first format.
Vision Australia Radio extends its thanks to Tennis Australia, the AO Radio team and all technical and broadcast staff whose work ensures this complex simulcast runs seamlessly throughout the tournament.
Action Audio available
Action Audio is an accessibility-first audio technology developed specifically to help blind and low‑vision audiences follow tennis matches in real time. It is used prominently at the Australian Open, and is considered a world‑first in accessible sports broadcasting.
Action Audio converts real‑time ball‑tracking data (from systems like Hawk‑Eye used at AO) into spatial, 3D audio cues that indicate, ball movement, speed, bounce location, player position and key moments in a rally.
This lets listeners hear the shape and intensity of the play - not just wait for traditional commentary to catch up.
It debuted at the 2021 Australian Open finals and has since expanded across matches, including Rod Laver Arena. It is now accessible through AO Radio, Google Assistant, and via the AO website. Action Audio is not available through Vision Australia Radio’s broadcast of the Australian Open.
Learn more at the Action Audio website.
Meet the Simpsons
Each year, Vision Australia Radio Broadcast Systems Technician, Dale Simpson and wife Tammy, provide countless hours of volunteer time, to ensure the all-important switches are made from the AO Radio audio feed and back to our regular programming. This is a manual process that can only be carried out at end of play on each day of the tournament, sometimes well into the next morning!
“We value the support of Dale, Tammy and all who make our simulcast possible, each January, with the purpose of ensuring that the blind and low vision community have sufficient access to this international event, via the power of our national print disability radio network. We extend these thanks to Tennis Australia, the production team at AO Radio and Vision Australia Radio staff and volunteers who collectively play a part in the delivery of the simulcast.” Shared Conrad Browne, Manager Vision Australia Radio and Audio Services.
For more information about Vision Australia Radio, how to listen or to explore the network’s diverse year‑round programming, visit varadio.org.
