Telethon 2025: World’s most successful fundraiser continues to touch lives across globe year after year
Telethon stands unrivalled as the world’s largest television fundraising event — with its impact stretching far beyond Australia to touch lives across the nation and the globe.
Since its inception in 1968, Telethon has raised a staggering $688 million to support sick, vulnerable, and disadvantaged children.
Telethon has gone from raising the world’s highest amount per capita to now being the most successful fundraising event of its kind in the world.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.After breaking the $1 million fundraising barrier in 1980, the Telethon total surged to $2.5 million by 2000, leapt to $13.4 million in 2011, and reached an extraordinary, record-breaking $83.3 million last year.
The most recent total alone funded 161 beneficiaries, 305 grants, 212 programs and services, 41 research projects, and 3,924 pieces of vital equipment.
Telethon’s global reach is underscored by its pioneering medical breakthroughs.
It has paved the way for world-first treatments such as a food allergy therapy developed by WA researcher Michael O’Sullivan — a treatment now incorporated into national infant feeding guidelines, exemplifying Telethon’s far-reaching influence.
In 2021, a Telethon-funded research grant clinically developed and validated a non-surgical and non-invasive prototype to treat glue ear.
This year, the “Earflo” invention earned a nomination by New York’s Time Magazine as one of the best inventions of 2025.
If it secures the necessary funding and approvals, the device promises to transform health outcomes for children around the world who don’t have access to essential healthcare, specialists, or surgical options.
Not only does the event amass large donations but it also attracts some of the nation’s most powerful and prominent figures, from political powerbrokers and corporate heavyweights to A-listers and media icons.
This week, BHP Australia boss Geraldine Slattery spoke of how proud the mining giant was to support the fundraiser, saying there was “nothing like Telethon anywhere that I have seen”.
The event also attracts a star-studded line-up of celebrities, including international sensation Ronan Keating, who will open the 26-hour broadcast.
Other superstars including The Ten Tenors, Casey Donovan, Australian Idol star Gisella Colletti and beloved Aussie icon Shannon Noll will also take to the stage.
Arriving in Perth on Friday, WA-raised Sunrise host Natalie Barr said “it means so much” to be back on home soil for the event.
“This just means so much all these years and all this money, but it’s the feeling that you get through this whole weekend, from the arrival at the airport and every one of these hours until Sunday night. It’s so special,” she said.
“People in the eastern states are in awe of what we’re about to do this weekend, and I’m so excited.”
Singer Dami Im said it was “quite special of Perth to put this event on each year, helping kids”.
“I can just feel the community spirit coming together,” she said.
Regarded as the crown jewel in Telethon’s annual fundraising campaign, the Ball on Saturday night is known for its elegance, world-class entertainment and electric atmosphere that sparks intense bidding wars among the country’s most influential.
Attendees this year include Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, who is attending in place of Anthony Albanese, lending political prestige to the star-studded event.
Mr Albanese has been a steadfast Telethon supporter, attending every year since taking office — even stepping away from King Charles and Queen Camilla during last year’s royal tour to work in the PerthNow Call Centre.
However, his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump in Washington DC on Monday means he cannot attend this year. Deputy Prime Minister Marles will fill the gap.
“When he goes away, he doesn’t normally give me instructions as to what to do while I’m in the chair . . . where I should go, what I should do, but on this occasion, he absolutely gave an instruction when he realised he wasn’t going to be here for this, for the Telethon,” Mr Marles said this week.
“He said I had to go over, that it was a non-negotiable. And he probably said that to me about three months ago, so it was very much on his radar.”
Mr Marles is also expected to announce a donation from the Federal Government during Sunday’s live broadcast, with details yet to be revealed.
