Paying tribute to this, the 2014 contest semi-finals included an interval act featuring Australian singer Jessica Mauboy.

Tying in with the goal of Eurovision—to showcase "the importance of bringing countries together to celebrate diversity, music and culture", the 2015 theme of "Building Bridges", and arguing that they could not hold "the world's biggest party" to celebrate the 60th edition of Eurovision without inviting Australia, the EBU announced on 10 February 2015 that the country would compete at that year's edition as a special guest participant.

Along with the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom), and the host country of Austria, Australia was given automatic entry into the final to "not reduce the chances" of the semi-final participants.

On 23 August 2017, SBS confirmed Australia's participation in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest after securing an invitation for the fourth year in a row.

I will sing my heart out for Australia, I'm so proud to be officially representing my country and a little bit nervous - mainly about the stress of the dress!

"[4] The official video and digital download release of Jessica Mauboy's Eurovision song, "We Got Love", occurred on 8 March 2018.

I can’t wait to perform this song live in Portugal and see it connect with a global audience at such a special time.According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final.

Each nation's jury consisted of five music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent, with their names published before the contest to ensure transparency.

This jury judged each entry based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act.

In addition, no member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.

The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.