Top 10 Greatest Australian Rock Bands of All Time

Formed in Sydney in 1977, INXS blended new wave, funk, and rock into a globally successful sound, selling over 75 million records. Frontman Michael Hutchence became one of rock's most charismatic performers, and hits like Need You Tonight and Never Tear Us Apart remain staples of Australian rock history.

Formed in 1976, Midnight Oil became Australia's most politically outspoken rock band, championing Indigenous rights and environmental causes. Led by the towering Peter Garrett, who later became a federal minister, they sold over 20 million records with anthems like Beds Are Burning and Blue Sky Mine.

Founded in Melbourne in 1985 by New Zealand-born Neil Finn, Crowded House crafted some of the most memorable pop-rock songs ever written. Don't Dream It's Over became a global hit, and the band's sophisticated songwriting earned critical acclaim alongside commercial success across multiple decades of recording.

The Gibb brothers formed in 1958 on the Isle of Man before relocating to Queensland, Australia, eventually selling over 220 million records worldwide. While known for disco-era hits, the Bee Gees began as a rock act and their songwriting genius produced timeless classics across multiple genres spanning four decades.

Formed in Newcastle, NSW in 1992 when members were just 14 years old, Silverchair became the youngest band to ever top the Australian charts with their debut single Tomorrow. They sold over 10 million albums and evolved dramatically from grunge to art rock across five studio albums before going on indefinite hiatus.

Formed in Sydney in 2000, Wolfmother revived classic hard rock with a heavy psychedelic edge. Their self-titled debut album won the 2005 ARIA Award for Best Rock Album and earned a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for Woman, proving retro-flavored rock still had global commercial appeal in the 21st century.

Formed in Sydney in 2011, 5 Seconds of Summer rose from YouTube covers to become a global pop-rock phenomenon, selling over 10 million albums. They are the only band in history to see their first three studio albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200, bridging the gap between punk-pop energy and mainstream appeal.

Formed in Sydney in 1994, The Vines burst onto the international scene with their 2002 debut Highly Evolved, blending Britpop melodicism with grunge intensity. NME and Rolling Stone hailed them as part of the garage rock revival, and frontman Craig Nicholls drew comparisons to Kurt Cobain for his raw vocal style.

Formed in Melbourne in 2001, Jet exploded internationally with their 2003 debut Get Born, which sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide. Their single Are You Gonna Be My Girl became one of the decade's most recognizable rock songs, featured in countless films, TV shows, and commercials across the globe.

Formed in Sydney in 1977, INXS blended new wave, funk, and rock into a globally successful sound, selling over 75 million records. Frontman Michael Hutchence became one of rock's most charismatic performers, and hits like Need You Tonight and Never Tear Us Apart remain staples of Australian rock history.

Formed in 1976, Midnight Oil became Australia's most politically outspoken rock band, championing Indigenous rights and environmental causes. Led by the towering Peter Garrett, who later became a federal minister, they sold over 20 million records with anthems like Beds Are Burning and Blue Sky Mine.

Founded in Melbourne in 1985 by New Zealand-born Neil Finn, Crowded House crafted some of the most memorable pop-rock songs ever written. Don't Dream It's Over became a global hit, and the band's sophisticated songwriting earned critical acclaim alongside commercial success across multiple decades of recording.

The Gibb brothers formed in 1958 on the Isle of Man before relocating to Queensland, Australia, eventually selling over 220 million records worldwide. While known for disco-era hits, the Bee Gees began as a rock act and their songwriting genius produced timeless classics across multiple genres spanning four decades.

Formed in Newcastle, NSW in 1992 when members were just 14 years old, Silverchair became the youngest band to ever top the Australian charts with their debut single Tomorrow. They sold over 10 million albums and evolved dramatically from grunge to art rock across five studio albums before going on indefinite hiatus.

Formed in Sydney in 2000, Wolfmother revived classic hard rock with a heavy psychedelic edge. Their self-titled debut album won the 2005 ARIA Award for Best Rock Album and earned a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for Woman, proving retro-flavored rock still had global commercial appeal in the 21st century.

Formed in Sydney in 2011, 5 Seconds of Summer rose from YouTube covers to become a global pop-rock phenomenon, selling over 10 million albums. They are the only band in history to see their first three studio albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200, bridging the gap between punk-pop energy and mainstream appeal.

Formed in Sydney in 1994, The Vines burst onto the international scene with their 2002 debut Highly Evolved, blending Britpop melodicism with grunge intensity. NME and Rolling Stone hailed them as part of the garage rock revival, and frontman Craig Nicholls drew comparisons to Kurt Cobain for his raw vocal style.

Formed in Melbourne in 2001, Jet exploded internationally with their 2003 debut Get Born, which sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide. Their single Are You Gonna Be My Girl became one of the decade's most recognizable rock songs, featured in countless films, TV shows, and commercials across the globe.