This article is a summary of 1981 in Australian television.
This is a list of programs which made their premiere on an Australian television network that had previously premiered on another Australian television network.
Programs that have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after previously premiering on the opposite platform (free-to air to subscription/subscription to free-to air) are not included.
In some cases, programs may still air on the original television network.
This occurs predominantly with programs shared between subscription television networks.