Best-selling albums in Australia

The list of best selling albums in Australia is based on Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certifications.

According to ARIA the best-selling album of all time in Australia is Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf with 1.750.000 copies sold. The best-selling album by australian artist is Whispering Jack by John Farnham with 1.680.000 copies sold. Swedish group ABBA’s Gold is the best-selling compilation album and also the best-selling album released by the group with 1.260.000 copies. For all time, only 12 albums in Australia surpassed the 1 million mark, 4 of which were released in the 21st century: 21 by Adele, Innocent Eyes by Delta Goodman , + by Ed Sheeran and Michael Bublé’s Christmas. Delta Goodman is the only australian artist in 21st century and only australian female singer ever with an album that has sold over a million copies.

Certification levels for albums in Australia

ARIA began awarding albums in the mid-70s. Until 1983, gold albums were awarded for 20,000 copies sold, and platinum albums for 50.000. In 1983, ARIA set new criteria: gold – 35.000 copies, and platinum – 70.000 copies. In 2015, ARIA introduced a new award – the diamond album for 500.000 copies sold.

List of best-selling albums in Australia

MeatLoaf -Bat Out Of Hell 1977
Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell is the best-selling album of all time in Australia.
ArtistAlbumCertification/ sourceSalesYear release
1MEAT LOAFBAT OUT OF HELL25x Platinum1,750,0001977
2JOHN FARNHAMWHISPERING JACK24x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald1,730,0001987
3SHANIA TWAINCOME ON OVER18x Platinum1,260,0001997
4ABBAGOLD – GREATEST HITS17x Platinum + 1x Platinum1,260,0001992
5DIRE STRAITSBROTHERS IN ARMS17x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald1,240,0001985
6ABBATHE BEST OF ABBA22x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald1,210,0001975
7ADELE2117x Platinum1,190,0002011
8MICHAEL JACKSONTHRILLER16x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald1,150,0001982
9DELTA GOODREMINNOCENT EYES15x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald1,120,0002003
10QUEENGREATEST HITS I15x Platinum1,050,0001981
11ALANIS MORISSETTEJAGGED LITTLE PILL14x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald1,020,0001995
12PINK FLOYDDARK SIDE OF THE MOON14x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald1,020,0001973
13SOUNDTRACKGREASEThe Sydney Morning Herald1,010,0001978
14ED SHEERAN+2x Diamond1,000,0002011
15MICHAEL BUBLÉCHRISTMAS2x Diamond1,000,0002011
16EMINEMTHE EMINEM SHOW2x Diamond1,000,0002002
17BRUCE SPRINGSTEENBORN IN THE U.S.A.14 x Platinum980,0001984
18ABBAARRIVAL18x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald960,0001976
19FLEETWOOD MACRUMOURS13x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald950,0001977
20CROWDED HOUSERECURRING DREAM – THE VERY BEST OF13x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald940,0001993
21CELINE DIONFALLING INTO YOU13x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald930,0001996
22AC/DCBACK IN BLACK12x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald920,0001980
23METALLICAMETALLICA13x Platinum910,0001991
24SAVAGE GARDENSAVAGE GARDEN12x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald890,0001997
25MADONNATHE IMMACULATE COLLECTION12x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald880,0001990
26MARIAH CAREYMUSIC BOX12x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald860,0001993
27P!NKFUNHOUSE12x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald850,0002008
28EAGLESTHE VERY BEST OF THE EAGLES (1994)12x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald850,0001994
29EMINEMCURTAIN CALL: THE HITS12x Platinum840,0002005
30BEE GEESSATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (SOUNDTRACK)11x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald830,0001977
31BON JOVICROSS ROAD11x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald810,0001994
32NORAH JONESCOME AWAY WITH ME11x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald800,0002002
33PINK FLOYDTHE WALL11x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald800,0001979
34P!NKI`M NOT DEAD11x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald790,0002006
35SOUNDTRACKDIRTY DANCING11x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald790,0001987
36JOHN FARNHAMAGE OF REASON8x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald780,0001988
37SOUNDTRACKFORREST GUMP11x Platinum770,0001994
38BRYAN ADAMSSO FAR SO GOOD11x Platinum770,0001993
39NEIL DIAMONDHOT AUGUST NIGHT14x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald760,0001972
40SUSAN BOYLEI DREAMED A DREAM10x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald750,0002009
41THE BEATLES110x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald750,0002000
42TINA ARENADON`T ASK10x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald730,0001994
43LED ZEPPELINREMASTERS10x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald730,0001990
44ICEHOUSEMAN OF COLOURS7x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald730,0001987
45JEFF WAYNETHE WAR OF THE WORLDS10x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald730,0001978
46MIKE OLDFIELDTUBULAR BELLSThe Sydney Morning Herald730,0001973
47MATCHBOX TWENTYYOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU10x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald710,0001996
48ED SHEERANDIVIDE10 x Platinum700,0002017
49ADELE2510x Platinum700,0002015
50P!NKGREATEST HITS… SO FAR!!!10x Platinum700,0002010
51KINGS OF LEONONLY BY THE NIGHT10x Platinum700,0002008
52BRUCE SPRINGSTEENGREATEST HITS10x Platinum700,0001995
53LIVETHROWING COPPER10x Platinum700,0001994
54COLD CHISELCHISEL9x Platinum + 1x Platinum700,0001991
55JIMMY BARNESSOUL DEEP10x Platinum700,0001991
56MICHAEL JACKSONDANGEROUS10x Platinum700,0001991
57ABBAABBA14x Platinum700,0001975
58THE CORRSFORGIVEN, NOT FORGOTTEN9x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald680,0001995
59FLEETWOOD MACGREATEST HITS9x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald680,0001988
60JAMES BLUNTBACK TO BEDLAM9x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald670,0002004
61JETGET BORN8x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald660,0002003
62MISSY HIGGINSTHE SOUND OF WHITE9x Platinum / The Sydney Morning Herald660,0002001
63ED SHEERANX9x Platinum630,0002014
64TAYLOR SWIFT19899x Platinum630,0002014
65P!NKTHE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE9x Platinum630,0002012
66MICHAEL JACKSONTHE ESSENTIAL MICHAEL JACKSON9x Platinum630,0002005
67GUNS N` ROSESGREATEST HITS9x Platinum630,0002004
68POWDERFINGERODYSSEY NUMBER FIVE8x Platinum + 1x Platinum630,0002000
69CELINE DIONTHE COLOUR OF MY LOVE9x Platinum630,0001993
70BILLY JOELGREATEST HITS VOLUME I & VOLUME II9x Platinum630,0001985
71EAGLESHOTEL CALIFORNIA9x Platinum630,0001976
72AC/DCT.N.T.9x Platinum630,0001975
73LED ZEPPELINLED ZEPPELIN IV9x Platinum630,0001971
74BON JOVIGREATEST HITS/ULTIMATE COLLECTION8x Platinum560,0002010
75ROBBIE WILLIAMSGREATEST HITS8x Platinum560,0002004
76FLEETWOOD MACTHE VERY BEST OF FLEETWOOD MAC8x Platinum560,0002002
77CAT STEVENSREMEMBER – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION8x Platinum560,0001999
78RED HOT CHILI PEPPERSCALIFORNICATION8x Platinum560,0001999
79SAVAGE GARDENAFFIRMATION8x Platinum560,0001999
80U2THE BEST OF 1980 – 19908x Platinum560,0001998
81MICHAEL JACKSONHISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I8x Platinum560,0001995
82OASIS(WHAT`S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY?8x Platinum560,0001995
83JEFF BUCKLEYGRACE8x Platinum560,0001994
84AC/DCLIVE8x Platinum560,0001992
85ERIC CLAPTONUNPLUGGED8x Platinum560,0001992
86QUEENGREATEST HITS II8x Platinum560,0001991
87PAUL SIMONGRACELAND8x Platinum560,0001986
88EAGLESTHEIR GREATEST HITS 1971-19758x Platinum560,0001976
89CAROLE KINGTAPESTRY8x Platinum560,0001971
90TAYLOR SWIFTFEARLESS7x Platinum490,0002008
91KELLY CLARKSONBREAKAWAY7x Platinum490,0002004
92MICHAEL BUBLÉMICHAEL BUBLE7x Platinum490,0002003
93PETE MURRAYFEELER7x Platinum490,0002003
94AVRIL LAVIGNELET GO7x Platinum490,0002002
95COLDPLAYA RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD7x Platinum490,0002002
96ELVIS PRESLEYELV1S: 30 #1 HITS7x Platinum490,0002002
97KASEY CHAMBERSBARRICADES & BRICKWALLS7x Platinum490,0002001
98KYLIE MINOGUEFEVER7x Platinum490,0002001
99GEORGE MICHAELLADIES & GENTLEMEN – THE BEST OF GEORGE MICHAEL7x Platinum490,0001998
100ANDREA BOCELLIROMANZA7x Platinum490,0001997
101CELINE DIONLET`S TALK ABOUT LOVE7x Platinum490,0001997
102THE CRANBERRIESNO NEED TO ARGUE7x Platinum490,0001994
103NEIL DIAMONDGREATEST HITS 1966-19927x Platinum490,0001992
104PEARL JAMTEN7x Platinum490,0001991
105JOHN FARNHAMCHAIN REACTION7x Platinum490,0001990
106CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL21ST ANNIVERSARY: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION7x Platinum490,0001989
107TRACY CHAPMANTRACY CHAPMAN7x Platinum490,0001988
108U2RATTLE AND HUM7x Platinum490,0001988
109GUNS N` ROSESAPPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION7x Platinum490,0001987
110INXSKICK7x Platinum490,0001987
111JIMMY BARNESFOR THE WORKING CLASS MAN7x Platinum490,0001987
112MIDNIGHT OILDIESEL AND DUST7x Platinum490,0001987
113MADONNALIKE A VIRGIN7x Platinum490,0001984
114MIDNIGHT OIL10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 ,2 ,17x Platinum490,0001982
115PINK FLOYDWISH YOU WERE HERE7x Platinum490,0001975
116NEIL YOUNGHARVEST7x Platinum490,0001972
117KATY PERRYTHE COMPLETE CONFECTION6x Platinum420,0002012
118FOO FIGHTERSGREATEST HITS6x Platinum420,0002009
119LADY GAGATHE FAME6x Platinum420,0002008
120AMY WINEHOUSEBACK TO BLACK6x Platinum420,0002006
121JUSTIN TIMBERLAKEFUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS6x Platinum420,0002006
122COLDPLAYX&Y6x Platinum420,0002005
123HUMAN NATUREREACH OUT: THE MOTOWN RECORD6x Platinum420,0002005
124THE BLACK EYED PEASMONKEY BUSINESS6x Platinum420,0002005
125EMINEMENCORE6x Platinum420,0002004
126GREEN DAYAMERICAN IDIOT6x Platinum420,0002004
127DIDOLIFE FOR RENT6x Platinum420,0002003
128EVANESCENCEFALLEN6x Platinum420,0002003
129GUY SEBASTIANJUST AS I AM6x Platinum420,0002003
130MICHAEL JACKSONNUMBER ONES6x Platinum420,0002003
131POWDERFINGERVULTURE STREET6x Platinum420,0002003
132RED HOT CHILI PEPPERSGREATEST HITS6x Platinum420,0002003
133SO FRESH SERIESSO FRESH: THE HITS OF SUMMER 20036x Platinum420,0002003
134SHAKIRALAUNDRY SERVICE6x Platinum420,0002001
135DIDONO ANGEL6x Platinum420,0001999
136DIRE STRAITSSULTANS OF SWING – THE VERY BEST OF6x Platinum420,0001998
137PHIL COLLINSHITS6x Platinum420,0001998
138AQUAAQUARIUM6x Platinum420,0001997
139BACKSTREET BOYSBACKSTREET`S BACK6x Platinum420,0001997
140SPICE GIRLSSPICEWORLD6x Platinum420,0001997
141JIMMY BARNESBARNES HITS ANTHOLOGY6x Platinum420,0001996
142SPICE GIRLSSPICE6x Platinum420,0001996
143TONI CHILDSTHE VERY BEST OF TONI CHILDS6x Platinum420,0001996
144JEWELPIECES OF YOU6x Platinum420,0001995
145SILVERCHAIRFROGSTOMP6x Platinum420,0001995
146MARIAH CAREYMERRY CHRISTMAS6x Platinum420,0001994
147RED HOT CHILI PEPPERSBLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK6x Platinum420,0001991
148ELTON JOHNTHE VERY BEST OF ELTON JOHN6x Platinum420,0001990
149JIMMY BARNESTWO FIRES6x Platinum420,0001990
150PHIL COLLINSBUT SERIOUSLY6x Platinum420,0001989
151ENYAWATERMARK6x Platinum420,0001988
152SOUNDTRACKCOCKTAIL6x Platinum420,0001988
153MICHAEL JACKSONBAD6x Platinum420,0001987
154BON JOVISLIPPERY WHEN WET6x Platinum420,0001986
155CROWDED HOUSECROWDED HOUSE6x Platinum420,0001986
156THE DOORSTHE BEST OF THE DOORS (1985)6x Platinum420,0001985
157INXSTHE SWING6x Platinum420,0001984
158BARBRA STREISANDMEMORIES6x Platinum420,0001981
159BARBRA STREISANDGUILTY6x Platinum420,0001980
160COLD CHISELEAST6x Platinum420,0001980
161THE BLUES BROTHERSBLUES BROTHERS (SOUNDTRACK)6x Platinum420,0001980
162RICHARD CLAYDERMANREVERIES / TRÄUMEREIEN6x Platinum420,0001979
163AC/DCDIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP6x Platinum420,0001976
164ROD STEWARTA NIGHT ON THE TOWN6x Platinum420,0001976
165AMERICAHISTORY – AMERICA`S GREATEST HITS6x Platinum420,0001975
166SAM SMITHIN THE LONELY HOUR5x Platinum350,0002014
167KATY PERRYPRISM5x Platinum350,0002013
168SOUNDTRACKFROZEN5x Platinum350,0002013
169TAYLOR SWIFTRED5x Platinum350,0002012
170ONE DIRECTIONUP ALL NIGHT5x Platinum350,0002011
171MICHAEL BUBLÉCRAZY LOVE5x Platinum350,0002009
172AC/DCBLACK ICE5x Platinum350,0002008
173MICHAEL BUBLÉCALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE5x Platinum350,0002007
174SO FRESH SERIESSO FRESH: THE HITS OF SUMMER 2007 PLUS THE BEST OF 20065x Platinum350,0002006
175U2U218 SINGLES5x Platinum350,0002006
176BERNARD FANNINGTEA AND SYMPATHY5x Platinum350,0002005
177MICHAEL BUBLÉIT`S TIME5x Platinum350,0002005
178PETE MURRAYSEE THE SUN5x Platinum350,0002005
179SO FRESH SERIESSO FRESH: THE HITS OF SUMMER 2006 + THE BEST OF 20055x Platinum350,0002005
180WOLFMOTHERWOLFMOTHER5x Platinum350,0002005
181DELTA GOODREMMISTAKEN IDENTITY5x Platinum350,0002004
182GWEN STEFANILOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY5x Platinum350,0002004
183PEARL JAMREARVIEWMIRROR: GREATEST HITS (1991-2003)5x Platinum350,0002004
184SHANNON NOLLTHAT`S WHAT I`M TALKING ABOUT5x Platinum350,0002004
185SO FRESH SERIESSO FRESH: THE HITS OF SUMMER 2005 + THE BIGGEST HITS OF 20045x Platinum350,0002004
186THE JOHN BUTLER TRIOSUNRISE OVER SEA5x Platinum350,0002004
187USHERCONFESSIONS5x Platinum350,0002004
188JOHN FARNHAMONE VOICE: THE GREATEST HITS5x Platinum350,0002003
189MAROON 5SONGS ABOUT JANE5x Platinum350,0002002
190MATCHBOX TWENTYMORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE5x Platinum350,0002002
191NIRVANANIRVANA5x Platinum350,0002002
192RED HOT CHILI PEPPERSBY THE WAY5x Platinum350,0002002
193ROBBIE WILLIAMSESCAPOLOGY5x Platinum350,0002002
194SO FRESH SERIESSO FRESH: THE HITS OF SUMMER 20025x Platinum350,0002002
195ENRIQUE IGLESIASESCAPE5x Platinum350,0002001
196FAITH HILLTHERE YOU`LL BE: THE BEST OF FAITH HILL5x Platinum350,0002001
197SO FRESH SERIESSO FRESH: THE HITS OF SPRING 20015x Platinum350,0002001
198SOUNDTRACKMOULIN ROUGE5x Platinum350,0002001
199SYSTEM OF A DOWNTOXICITY5x Platinum350,0002001
200LIMP BIZKITCHOCOLATE STARFISH AND THE HOT DOG FLAVORED WATER5x Platinum350,0002000
201LINKIN PARKHYBRID THEORY5x Platinum350,0002000
202U2ALL THAT YOU CAN`T LEAVE BEHIND5x Platinum350,0002000
203CELINE DIONALL THE WAY…A DECADE OF SONG5x Platinum350,0001999
204JOHN FARNHAM & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHNHIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MAIN EVENT5x Platinum350,0001998
205POWDERFINGERINTERNATIONALIST5x Platinum350,0001998
206SLIM DUSTYTHE VERY BEST OF SLIM DUSTY5x Platinum350,0001998
207THE OFFSPRINGAMERICANA5x Platinum350,0001998
208HANSONTHE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE5x Platinum350,0001997
209MIDNIGHT OIL20000 WATT RSL THE MIDNIGHT OIL COLLECTION5x Platinum350,0001997
210NATALIE IMBRUGLIALEFT OF THE MIDDLE5x Platinum350,0001997
211SOUNDTRACKTITANIC 5x Platinum350,0001997
212SOUNDTRACKROMEO & JULIET5x Platinum350,0001996
213MARIAH CAREYDAYDREAM5x Platinum350,0001995
214GREEN DAYDOOKIE5x Platinum350,0001994
215NIRVANAMTV UNPLUGGED IN NEW YORK5x Platinum350,0001994
216RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINERAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE5x Platinum350,0001992
217THE POLICEGREATEST HITS5x Platinum350,0001992
218WHITNEY HOUSTONTHE BODYGUARD (SOUNDTRACK)5x Platinum350,0001992
219GUNS N` ROSESUSE YOUR ILLUSION II5x Platinum350,0001991
220JOHN FARNHAMFULL HOUSE5x Platinum350,0001991
221NATALIE COLEUNFORGETTABLE WITH LOVE5x Platinum350,0001991
222NIRVANANEVERMIND5x Platinum350,0001991
223THE COMMITMENTSTHE COMMITMENTS (SOUNDTRACK)5x Platinum350,0001991
224U2ACHTUNG BABY5x Platinum350,0001991
225AC/DCTHE RAZOR`S EDGE5x Platinum350,0001990
226MARIAH CAREYMARIAH CAREY5x Platinum350,0001990
227MIDNIGHT OILBLUE SKY MINING5x Platinum350,0001990
228THE THREE TENORSCARRERAS DOMINGO PAVAROTTI IN CONCERT 19905x Platinum350,0001990
229VAN MORRISONTHE BEST OF VAN MORRISON5x Platinum350,0001990
230ROD STEWARTTHE BEST OF ROD STEWART (1989)5x Platinum350,0001989
231JIMMY BARNESBARNESTORMING5x Platinum350,0001988
232ANDREW LLOYD WEBBERPHANTOM OF THE OPERA5x Platinum350,0001987
233GEORGE MICHAELFAITH5x Platinum350,0001987
234JIMMY BARNESFREIGHT TRAIN HEART5x Platinum350,0001987
235U2THE JOSHUA TREE5x Platinum350,0001987
236AC/DCWHO MADE WHO5x Platinum350,0001986
237SOUNDTRACKFOOTLOOSE5x Platinum350,0001984
238AC/DCFOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK (WE SALUTE YOU)5x Platinum350,0001981
239ICEHOUSEICEHOUSE5x Platinum350,0001980
240AC/DCHIGHWAY TO HELL5x Platinum350,0001979
241MICHAEL JACKSONOFF THE WALL5x Platinum350,0001979
242AC/DCLET THERE BE ROCK5x Platinum350,0001977
243LINDA RONSTADTSIMPLE DREAMS5x Platinum350,0001977
244AC/DCHIGH VOLTAGE5x Platinum350,0001976
245CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVALCHRONICLE: 20 GREATEST HITS5x Platinum350,0001976
246THE BEATLES1962 – 19665x Platinum350,0001973
247THE BEATLES1967 – 19705x Platinum350,0001973

Timeline of the best-selling albums in Australia*

* – According to ARIA certifications

DateArtistAlbumCertificationSales
1979ABBAThe Best of ABBA22 P1.100.000
1991Meat LoafBat Out Of Hell16 P1.120.000
1993Meat LoafBat Out Of Hell19 P1.330.000
2006John FarnhamWhispering Jack24 P1.680.000
2011Meat LoafBat Out Of Hell24 P1.680.000
2014Meat LoafBat Out Of Hell25 P1.750.000

See also. Best-selling albums by country: