The following lists the number one singles on the Australian Singles Chart, along with other substantial hits, during the 1980s. The source for this decade is the Kent Music Report (retitled as Australian Music Report in 1987), and the ARIA Charts.
Two sets of charts ran in Australia in the late 1980s. The Kent Music Report began publication in 1974 as Australia's official national charts. From mid-1983, the Australian Recording Industry Association (or ARIA) licensed the Kent Music Report (which was renamed the 'Australian Music Report' in 1987). ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June 1988 (a Sunday). These charts ran concurrent to what was by then known as the Australian Music Report. The Australian Music Report charts ceased commercial publishing in 1999.
Both the Kent Music Report / Australian Music Report chart data (1980–1989) and the ARIA chart data (starting from their commencement in mid-1983) are listed below. The Kent Music Report / Australian Music Report chart data is taken from the "Australian Chart Book 1970–92", published by David Kent, while the ARIA chart data is taken from australia-charts.com.
The dates given for the Kent Music Report / Australian Music Report are Mondays.
| scope=row style="background-color:lightblue" | The light blue background indicates the #1 song on the KMR/AMR End of Decade Chart |
|---|
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 7 January | The Buggles | "Video Killed the Radio Star" | 7 weeks (5 weeks in Dec. 1979) | ||||
| 14 January | |||||||
| 21 January | Michael Jackson | "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 28 January | |||||||
| 4 February | |||||||
| 11 February | KC and the Sunshine Band | "Please Don't Go" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 18 February | |||||||
| 25 February | Queen | "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 3 March | |||||||
| 10 March | |||||||
| 17 March | |||||||
| 24 March | |||||||
| 31 March | |||||||
| 7 April | |||||||
| 14 April | Split Enz | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="8" align="center" | "I Got You" | 8 weeks | |||
| 21 April | |||||||
| 28 April | |||||||
| 5 May | |||||||
| 12 May | |||||||
| 19 May | |||||||
| 26 May | |||||||
| 2 June | |||||||
| 9 June | Rocky Burnette | "Tired of Toein' the Line" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 16 June | |||||||
| 23 June | The Vapors | "Turning Japanese" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 30 June | |||||||
| 7 July | Village People | "Can't Stop the Music" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 14 July | |||||||
| 21 July | |||||||
| 28 July | |||||||
| 4 August | Lipps Inc. | "Funkytown" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 11 August | |||||||
| 18 August | Genghis Khan | "Moscow" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 25 August | |||||||
| 1 September | |||||||
| 8 September | |||||||
| 15 September | |||||||
| 22 September | |||||||
| 29 September | Diana Ross | "Upside Down" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 6 October | |||||||
| 13 October | |||||||
| 20 October | |||||||
| 27 October | Leo Sayer | "More Than I Can Say" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 3 November | |||||||
| 10 November | Barbra Streisand | "Woman in Love" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 17 November | |||||||
| 24 November | Joe Dolce Music Theatre | "Shaddap You Face" | 8 weeks | ||||
| 1 December | |||||||
| 8 December | |||||||
| 15 December | |||||||
| 22 December | |||||||
| 29 December |
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Dreaming My Dreams with You" by Colleen Hewett, "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" by Pink Floyd, "Brass in Pocket" by The Pretenders, "Coming Up" by Paul McCartney, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by Long John Baldry and Kathi McDonald, "What I Like About You" by The Romantics, "Xanadu" by Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra, "Babooshka" by Kate Bush, and "Master Blaster (Jammin')" by Stevie Wonder.
Other hits (with their peak positions noted) were "Space Invaders" (3) by Player One, "Ashes to Ashes" (3) by David Bowie, "Do That to Me One More Time" (3) by Captain & Tennille, "Fame" (3) by Irene Cara, "He's My Number One" (4) by Christie Allen, "Call Me" (4) and "The Tide Is High" (4) by Blondie, "Blame It on the Boogie" (4) by The Jacksons, and "Shandi" (5) by KISS.
Hits by Australasian artists included "Magic" by Olivia Newton-John, "People" by Mi-Sex, "No Secrets" by The Angels, "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC and "Can't Help Myself" and "We Can Get Together" by Flowers.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 5 January | Joe Dolce Music Theatre | "Shaddap You Face" | 8 weeks | ||||
| 12 January | |||||||
| 19 January | John Lennon | "(Just Like) Starting Over" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 26 January | |||||||
| 2 February | |||||||
| 9 February | |||||||
| 16 February | Slim Dusty | "Duncan" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 23 February | |||||||
| 2 March | The Swingers | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="3" align="center" | "Counting the Beat" | 3 weeks | |||
| 9 March | |||||||
| 16 March | |||||||
| 23 March | Adam and the Ants | "Antmusic" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 30 March | |||||||
| 6 April | |||||||
| 13 April | |||||||
| 20 April | |||||||
| 27 April | Sheena Easton | "9 to 5 (Morning Train)" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 4 May | |||||||
| 11 May | Roxy Music | "Jealous Guy" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 18 May | |||||||
| 25 May | |||||||
| 1 June | |||||||
| 8 June | Shakin' Stevens | "This Ole House" | 1 week | ||||
| 15 June | Kim Carnes | "Bette Davis Eyes" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 22 June | |||||||
| 29 June | |||||||
| 6 July | |||||||
| 13 July | |||||||
| 20 July | Stars on 45 | "Stars on 45 Medley" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 27 July | |||||||
| 3 August | |||||||
| 10 August | |||||||
| 17 August | Devo | DEV-O Live (EP) | 3 weeks | ||||
| 24 August | |||||||
| 31 August | Rick Springfield | "Jessie's Girl" | 1 week | ||||
| 7 September | Devo | DEV-O Live (EP) | 3 weeks | ||||
| 14 September | Shakin' Stevens | "You Drive Me Crazy" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 21 September | |||||||
| 28 September | |||||||
| 5 October | Diana Ross and Lionel Richie | "Endless Love" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 12 October | |||||||
| 19 October | |||||||
| 26 October | |||||||
| 2 November | Billy Field | "You Weren't in Love with Me" | 1 week | ||||
| 9 November | The Rolling Stones | "Start Me Up" | 1 week | ||||
| 16 November | Olivia Newton-John | "Physical" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 23 November | |||||||
| 30 November | |||||||
| 7 December | |||||||
| 14 December | |||||||
| 21 December | Men at Work | "Down Under" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 28 December |
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Stop the Cavalry" and "Louise (We Get It Right)" by Jona Lewie, "Angel of the Morning" by Juice Newton, "Who Can It Be Now?" by Men at Work, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police, and "Wired for Sound" by Cliff Richard.
"Turn Me Loose" by Loverboy, "Girls Can Get It" by Dr. Hook, "Keep On Loving You" by REO Speedwagon, "Gotta Pull Myself Together" by The Nolans and "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins all peaked at number 3. Other major hits (with their peak positions) were "Jesse" by Carly Simon (4), "Kids in America" by Kim Wilde (5) and "Precious to Me" by Phil Seymour (6).
Hits by Australasian artists included "If I Were a Carpenter" by Swanee, "Bad Habits" by Billy Field, "Boys in Town" by Divinyls and "State of the Heart" by Mondo Rock.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 4 January | Men at Work | "Down Under" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 11 January | |||||||
| 18 January | |||||||
| 24 January | |||||||
| 1 February | Lindsey Buckingham | "Trouble" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 8 February | |||||||
| 15 February | |||||||
| 22 February | Soft Cell | "Tainted Love" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 1 March | |||||||
| 8 March | |||||||
| 15 March | The J. Geils Band | "Centerfold" | 1 week | ||||
| 22 March | Moving Pictures | "What About Me" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 29 March | |||||||
| 5 April | |||||||
| 12 April | |||||||
| 19 April | |||||||
| 26 April | |||||||
| 3 May | Joan Jett and the Blackhearts | "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 10 May | |||||||
| 17 May | |||||||
| 24 May | |||||||
| 31 May | |||||||
| 7 June | Toni Basil | "Mickey" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 14 June | |||||||
| 21 June | Charlene | "I've Never Been to Me" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 28 June | |||||||
| 5 July | |||||||
| 12 July | |||||||
| 19 July | |||||||
| 26 July | |||||||
| 2 August | A Flock of Seagulls | "I Ran (So Far Away)" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 9 August | |||||||
| 16 August | Adam Ant | "Goody Two Shoes" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 23 August | |||||||
| 30 August | Ray Parker Jr. | "The Other Woman" | 1 week | ||||
| 6 September | Steve Miller Band | "Abracadabra" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 13 September | |||||||
| 20 September | Survivor | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="6" align="center" | "Eye of the Tiger" | 6 weeks | |||
| 27 September | |||||||
| 4 October | |||||||
| 11 October | |||||||
| 18 October | |||||||
| 25 October | |||||||
| 1 November | Dexys Midnight Runners | "Come On Eileen" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 8 November | |||||||
| 15 November | |||||||
| 22 November | |||||||
| 29 November | |||||||
| 6 December | Musical Youth | "Pass the Dutchie" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 13 December | |||||||
| 20 December | |||||||
| 27 December | Culture Club | "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" | 6 weeks | ||||
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Our Lips Are Sealed" by The Go-Go's, "Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" by Joey Scarbury, "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, "Key Largo" by Bertie Higgins, "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" by Split Enz, "If You Want My Love" by Cheap Trick, and "Shy Boy" by Bananarama.
Other hits (with peak positions shown) included "Waiting for a Girl Like You" (3) by Foreigner, "Young Turks" (3) by Rod Stewart, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (4) by Chicago, "You Should Hear How She Talks About You" (4) by Melissa Manchester, "Da Da Da" (4) by Trio, "Poison Arrow" (4) by ABC, "Homosapien" (4) by Pete Shelley, "Hurts So Good" (5) by John "Cougar" Mellencamp, "Hungry Like the Wolf" (5) by Duran Duran and "Cambodia" (7) by Kim Wilde.
Hits by Australasian artists included "Forever Now" by Cold Chisel, "Body and Soul" by Jo Kennedy, "Solid Rock" by Goanna, "Great Southern Land" by Icehouse, "Dirty Creature" by Split Enz, "Down on the Border" by Little River Band and "Lady, What's Your Name" by Swanee.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 3 January | Culture Club | "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 10 January | |||||||
| 17 January | |||||||
| 23 January | |||||||
| 31 January | |||||||
| 7 February | Laura Branigan | "Gloria" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 14 February | |||||||
| 21 February | |||||||
| 28 February | |||||||
| 7 March | |||||||
| 14 March | |||||||
| 21 March | |||||||
| 28 March | Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes | "Up Where We Belong" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 4 April | |||||||
| 11 April | Michael Jackson | "Billie Jean" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 18 April | |||||||
| 25 April | |||||||
| 2 May | |||||||
| 9 May | |||||||
| 16 May | Redgum | "I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 23 May | |||||||
| 30 May | Bonnie Tyler | "Total Eclipse of the Heart" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 6 June | |||||||
| 13 June | |||||||
| 20 June | |||||||
| 27 June | |||||||
| 4 July | |||||||
| 11 July | Irene Cara | "Flashdance... What a Feeling" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 18 July | |||||||
| 25 July | |||||||
| 1 August | |||||||
| 8 August | |||||||
| 15 August | Austen Tayshus | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" align="center" | "Australiana" | 8 weeks | |||
| 22 August | Irene Cara | "Flashdance... What a Feeling" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 29 August | |||||||
| 5 September | Austen Tayshus | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="7" align="center" | "Australiana" | 8 weeks | |||
| 12 September | |||||||
| 19 September | |||||||
| 26 September | |||||||
| 3 October | |||||||
| 10 October | |||||||
| 17 October | |||||||
| 24 October | Culture Club | "Karma Chameleon" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 31 October | |||||||
| 7 November | |||||||
| 14 November | |||||||
| 21 November | |||||||
| 28 November | Australian Crawl | "Reckless (Don't Be So)" | 1 week | ||||
| 5 December | Billy Joel | "Uptown Girl" | 1 week | ||||
| 12 December | Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton | "Islands in the Stream" | 1 week | ||||
| 19 December | Lionel Richie | "All Night Long (All Night)" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 26 December | |||||||
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Heartbreaker" by Dionne Warwick, "Twisting by the Pool" (EP) by Dire Straits, "Let's Dance" by David Bowie, "1999" by Prince, "Beat It" by Michael Jackson, "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant, "Maniac" by Michael Sembello, "Rain" by Dragon, "Bop Girl" by Pat Wilson, and "Red Red Wine" by UB40.
Other major hits (with peak positions noted) included "Save Your Love" (3) by Renee and Renato, "Give It Up" (3) by KC and the Sunshine Band, "I'm Still Standing" (3) by Elton John, "You Can't Hurry Love" (3) by Phil Collins, "I.O.U." (3) by Freeez, "I Eat Cannibals" (4) by Toto Coelo, "Young Guns" (4) by Wham!, "The Safety Dance" (5) by Men Without Hats, "Africa" (5) by Toto, and "Drop the Pilot" (6) by Joan Armatrading.
Hits by Australasian artists also included "Send Me an Angel" by Real Life, "Fraction Too Much Friction" by Tim Finn, "Shoop Shoop Diddy Wop Cumma Cumma Wang Dang" by Monte Video and the Cassettes, "Overkill" and "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive" by Men at Work, and "Power and the Passion" by Midnight Oil.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 2 January | Lionel Richie | "All Night Long (All Night)" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 9 January | |||||||
| 16 January | |||||||
| 23 January | |||||||
| 30 January | INXS | "Original Sin" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 6 February | |||||||
| 13 February | Pat Benatar | "Love Is a Battlefield" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 20 February | |||||||
| 27 February | |||||||
| 5 March | |||||||
| 12 March | |||||||
| 19 March | Cyndi Lauper | "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 26 March | |||||||
| 2 April | Nena | "99 Luftballons" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 9 April | |||||||
| 16 April | |||||||
| 23 April | |||||||
| 30 April | |||||||
| 7 May | "Weird Al" Yankovic | "Eat It" | 1 week | ||||
| 14 May | Kenny Loggins | "Footloose" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 21 May | |||||||
| 28 May | |||||||
| 4 June | Lionel Richie | "Hello" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 11 June | |||||||
| 18 June | |||||||
| 25 June | The Twelfth Man | "It's Just Not Cricket" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 2 July | |||||||
| 9 July | |||||||
| 16 July | Wham! | "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 23 July | |||||||
| 30 July | |||||||
| 6 August | |||||||
| 13 August | |||||||
| 20 August | Prince | "When Doves Cry" | 1 week | ||||
| 27 August | Wham | "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 3 September | |||||||
| 10 September | Tina Turner | "What's Love Got to Do with It" | 1 week | ||||
| 17 September | George Michael | "Careless Whisper" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 24 September | |||||||
| 1 October | |||||||
| 8 October | |||||||
| 15 October | Stevie Wonder | "I Just Called to Say I Love You" | 8 weeks | ||||
| 22 October | |||||||
| 29 October | |||||||
| 5 November | |||||||
| 12 November | |||||||
| 19 November | |||||||
| 26 November | |||||||
| 3 December | |||||||
| 10 December | Madonna | "Like a Virgin" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 17 December | |||||||
| 24 December | |||||||
| 31 December |
Other hits
The year's best charting single was Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark". Despite having only reached number 5 on the singles chart, it remained on the charts for 40 weeks.
Songs peaking at number two included "Come Said the Boy" by Mondo Rock, "Radio Ga Ga" by Queen, "Jump" by Van Halen, "Heaven (Must Be There)" by Eurogliders, "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr., "The War Song" by Culture Club, and "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" by Billy Ocean.
Other major hits (with peak position noted) included "Calling Your Name" (3) by Marilyn, "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (3) by Phil Collins, "I Can Dream About You" (3) by Dan Hartman, "Hold Me Now" (3) by Thompson Twins, "Thriller" (4) by Michael Jackson, "Pride (In the Name of Love)" (4) by U2, "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" (4) by Elton John, and "Relax" (5) and "Two Tribes" (4) by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
Hits by Australasian artists also included "Listening" and "A Beat for You" both by Pseudo Echo, "I Send a Message" and "Burn for You" by INXS, "Twist of Fate" by Olivia Newton-John, "Soul Kind of Feeling" by Dynamic Hepnotics and "Catch Me I'm Falling" by Real Life.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 7 January | Madonna | "Like a Virgin" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 14 January | Band Aid | "Do They Know It's Christmas?" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 21 January | |||||||
| 28 January | |||||||
| 4 February | |||||||
| 11 February | Foreigner | "I Want to Know What Love Is" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 18 February | |||||||
| 25 February | |||||||
| 4 March | |||||||
| 11 March | |||||||
| 18 March | Murray Head | "One Night in Bangkok" | 1 week | ||||
| 25 March | Tears for Fears | "Shout" | 1 week | ||||
| 1 April | Jim Diamond | "I Should Have Known Better" | 1 week | ||||
| 8 April | USA for Africa | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="9" align="center" | "We Are the World" | 9 weeks | |||
| 15 April | |||||||
| 22 April | |||||||
| 29 April | |||||||
| 6 May | |||||||
| 13 May | |||||||
| 20 May | |||||||
| 27 May | |||||||
| 3 June | |||||||
| 10 June | Eurythmics | "Would I Lie to You?" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 17 June | |||||||
| 24 June | Madonna | "Angel" / "Into the Groove" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 1 July | |||||||
| 8 July | |||||||
| 15 July | |||||||
| 22 July | "Crazy for You" | 4 weeks | |||||
| 29 July | |||||||
| 5 August | |||||||
| 12 August | |||||||
| 19 August | Tina Turner | "We Don't Need Another Hero" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 26 August | |||||||
| 2 September | |||||||
| 9 September | Models | "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 16 September | |||||||
| 23 September | Huey Lewis and the News | "The Power of Love" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 30 September | |||||||
| 7 October | Mick Jagger and David Bowie | "Dancing in the Street" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 14 October | |||||||
| 21 October | UB40 with Chrissie Hynde | "I Got You Babe" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 28 October | |||||||
| 4 November | |||||||
| 11 November | a-ha | "Take On Me" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 18 November | |||||||
| 25 November | Jennifer Rush | "The Power of Love" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 2 December | Midnight Oil | Species Deceases (EP) | 6 weeks | ||||
| 9 December | Jennifer Rush | "The Power of Love" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 16 December | Midnight Oil | Species Deceases (EP) | 6 weeks | ||||
| 23 December | |||||||
| 30 December | |||||||
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen, "Ti Amo" by Laura Branigan, "Barbados" by Models, "The Heat Is On" by Glenn Frey, "One More Night" by Phil Collins, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon, "Live It Up" by Mental As Anything, and "What You Need" by INXS.
Other major hits (with peak positions noted) included "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" (3) by Dead or Alive, "Part-Time Lover" (3) by Stevie Wonder, "Last Christmas" (3) by Wham!, "Money for Nothing" (4) by Dire Straits, "Neutron Dance" (4) by Pointer Sisters, and "Walking on Sunshine" (4) by Katrina and the Waves.
Hits by Australasian artists also included "I'd Die to Be with You Tonight" by Jimmy Barnes, "50 Years" by Uncanny X-Men, "Too Young for Promises" by Koo De Tah, "Man Overboard" by Do-Ré-Mi, "Don't Go" by Pseudo Echo, "We Will Together" by Eurogliders, and "Pleasure and Pain" by Divinyls.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 6 January | Midnight Oil | Species Deceases (EP) | 6 weeks | ||||
| 13 January | |||||||
| 20 January | Starship | "We Built This City" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 27 January | |||||||
| 3 February | |||||||
| 10 February | |||||||
| 17 February | Feargal Sharkey | "A Good Heart" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 24 February | |||||||
| 3 March | Dionne Warwick with Gladys Knight, Elton John & Stevie Wonder | "That's What Friends Are For" | 1 week | ||||
| 10 March | Billy Ocean | "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 17 March | |||||||
| 24 March | |||||||
| 31 March | |||||||
| 7 April | |||||||
| 14 April | |||||||
| 21 April | Diana Ross | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="3" align="center" | "Chain Reaction" | 3 weeks | |||
| 28 April | |||||||
| 5 May | |||||||
| 12 May | Cliff Richard and The Young Ones | "Living Doll" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 19 May | |||||||
| 26 May | |||||||
| 2 June | |||||||
| 9 June | |||||||
| 16 June | |||||||
| 23 June | Robert Palmer | "Addicted to Love" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 30 June | |||||||
| 7 July | Samantha Fox | "Touch Me (I Want Your Body)" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 14 July | Whitney Houston | "Greatest Love of All" | 1 week | ||||
| 21 July | Samantha Fox | "Touch Me (I Want Your Body)" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 28 July | |||||||
| 4 August | Madonna | "Papa Don't Preach" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 11 August | |||||||
| 18 August | |||||||
| 25 August | |||||||
| 1 September | |||||||
| 8 September | |||||||
| 15 September | Bananarama | "Venus" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 22 September | |||||||
| 29 September | |||||||
| 6 October | |||||||
| 13 October | |||||||
| 20 October | |||||||
| 27 October | |||||||
| 3 November | John Farnham | "You're the Voice" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 10 November | |||||||
| 17 November | |||||||
| 24 November | |||||||
| 1 December | |||||||
| 8 December | |||||||
| 15 December | |||||||
| 22 December | Pseudo Echo | "Funkytown" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 29 December | |||||||
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Concrete and Clay" by Martin Plaza, "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston, "Kiss" by Prince and The Revolution, "Stimulation" by Wa Wa Nee, "The Edge of Heaven" by Wham!, "Dancing on the Ceiling" by Lionel Richie, "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin, "Stuck with You" by Huey Lewis and the News, "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, "Don't Leave Me This Way" by The Communards, and "The Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh.
Other major hits included "Manic Monday" (3) by The Bangles, "A Matter of Trust" (3) by Billy Joel, "True Colors" (3) by Cyndi Lauper, "Hit That Perfect Beat" (3) by Bronski Beat, "I'm Your Man" (3) by Wham!, "Invisible Touch" (3) by Genesis, "I Wanna Be a Cowboy" (4) by Boys Don't Cry, and "West End Girls" (5) by Pet Shop Boys.
Hits by Australasian artists also included "The Dead Heart" by Midnight Oil, "Who Made Who" by AC/DC, "Great Wall" by Boom Crash Opera, "I Could Make You Love Me" by Wa Wa Nee, "Love an Adventure" by Pseudo Echo, and "Do You Wanna Be?" by I'm Talking.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 5 January | Pseudo Echo | "Funkytown" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 12 January | |||||||
| 19 January | |||||||
| 26 January | |||||||
| 2 February | |||||||
| 9 February | The Bangles | "Walk Like an Egyptian" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 16 February | Kim Wilde | "You Keep Me Hangin' On" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 23 February | The Bangles | "Walk Like an Egyptian" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 2 March | Kim Wilde | "You Keep Me Hangin' On" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 9 March | Boris Gardiner | "I Wanna Wake Up with You" | 1 week | ||||
| 16 March | George Michael and Aretha Franklin | "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 23 March | |||||||
| 30 March | |||||||
| 6 April | |||||||
| 13 April | Paul Lekakis | "Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 20 April | |||||||
| 27 April | |||||||
| 4 May | |||||||
| 11 May | |||||||
| 18 May | Dave Dobbyn with Herbs | "Slice of Heaven" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 25 May | |||||||
| 1 June | |||||||
| 8 June | |||||||
| 15 June | Whitney Houston | "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 22 June | |||||||
| 29 June | |||||||
| 6 July | |||||||
| 13 July | |||||||
| 20 July | Mel and Kim | "Respectable" | 1 week | ||||
| 27 July | The Party Boys | "He's Gonna Step on You Again" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 3 August | |||||||
| 10 August | Kylie Minogue | bgcolor=lightblue align="left" rowspan="7" align="center" | "Locomotion" | 7 weeks | |||
| 17 August | |||||||
| 24 August | |||||||
| 31 August | |||||||
| 7 September | |||||||
| 14 September | |||||||
| 21 September | |||||||
| 28 September | Los Lobos | "La Bamba" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 5 October | |||||||
| 12 October | |||||||
| 19 October | |||||||
| 26 October | |||||||
| 2 November | |||||||
| 9 November | |||||||
| 16 November | Icehouse | "Electric Blue" | 1 week | ||||
| 23 November | Jimmy Barnes | "Too Much Ain't Enough Love" | 1 week | ||||
| 30 November | Rick Astley | "Never Gonna Give You Up" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 7 December | |||||||
| 14 December | |||||||
| 21 December | |||||||
| 28 December |
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Good Times" by Jimmy Barnes and INXS, "The Final Countdown" by Europe, "I Want Your Sex" by George Michael, and "Suddenly" by Angry Anderson.
Other major hits (with peak positions noted) included "Old Time Rock and Roll" (3) by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (3) by Starship, "Livin' on a Prayer" (3) by Bon Jovi, "Star Trekkin'" (3) by The Firm, "Bad" (4) by Michael Jackson, "What's My Scene?" (3) by Hoodoo Gurus, "Pressure Down" (4) by John Farnham, "Crazy" (4) by Icehouse and "Beds Are Burning" (6) by Midnight Oil.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 4 January | Rick Astley | "Never Gonna Give You Up" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 11 January | |||||||
| 18 January | George Michael | "Faith" | 1 week | ||||
| 25 January | George Harrison | "Got My Mind Set on You" | 1 week | ||||
| 1 February | Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes | "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 8 February | |||||||
| 15 February | |||||||
| 22 February | |||||||
| 29 February | |||||||
| 7 March | |||||||
| 14 March | Kylie Minogue | "I Should Be So Lucky" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 21 March | |||||||
| 28 March | |||||||
| 4 April | |||||||
| 11 April | |||||||
| 18 April | |||||||
| 25 April | Billy Ocean | "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 2 May | |||||||
| 9 May | |||||||
| 16 May | |||||||
| 23 May | |||||||
| 30 May | Cheap Trick | "The Flame" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 6 June | |||||||
| 13 June | |||||||
| 20 June | Louis Armstrong | "What a Wonderful World" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 27 June | |||||||
| 4 July | Kylie Minogue | "Got to Be Certain" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 11 July | |||||||
| 18 July | |||||||
| 25 July | |||||||
| 1 August | John Farnham | "Age of Reason" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 8 August | |||||||
| 15 August | |||||||
| 22 August | Fairground Attraction | "Perfect" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 29 August | |||||||
| 5 September | |||||||
| 12 September | |||||||
| 19 September | Robert Palmer | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="5" align="center" | "Simply Irresistible" | 5 weeks | |||
| 26 September | |||||||
| 3 October | |||||||
| 10 October | |||||||
| 17 October | |||||||
| 24 October | U2 | "Desire" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 31 October | |||||||
| 7 November | Phil Collins | "A Groovy Kind of Love" | 1 week | ||||
| 14 November | Bobby McFerrin | "Don't Worry, Be Happy" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 21 November | |||||||
| 28 November | |||||||
| 5 December | |||||||
| 12 December | |||||||
| 19 December | |||||||
| 26 December | The Beach Boys | "Kokomo" | 7 weeks | ||||
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle, "Stutter Rap (No Sleep Til Bedtime)" by Morris Minor and the Majors, "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House, "Doctorin' the Tardis" by The Timelords, The Only Way Is Up by Yazz, and "If I Could" by 1927.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 2 January | The Beach Boys | "Kokomo" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 9 January | |||||||
| 16 January | |||||||
| 23 January | |||||||
| 30 January | |||||||
| 6 February | |||||||
| 13 February | Womack & Womack | "Teardrops" | 1 week | ||||
| 20 February | The Proclaimers | "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 27 February | |||||||
| 6 March | |||||||
| 13 March | |||||||
| 20 March | Ian Moss | "Tucker's Daughter" | 1 week | ||||
| 27 March | Fine Young Cannibals | "She Drives Me Crazy" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 3 April | |||||||
| 10 April | |||||||
| 17 April | Madonna | "Like a Prayer" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 24 April | Fine Young Cannibals | "She Drives Me Crazy" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 1 May | |||||||
| 8 May | Mike + The Mechanics | "The Living Years" | 1 week | ||||
| 15 May | Madonna | "Like a Prayer" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 22 May | |||||||
| 29 May | |||||||
| 5 June | Julian Lennon | "Now You're in Heaven" | 1 week | ||||
| 12 June | The Bangles | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" align="center" | "Eternal Flame" | 1 week | |||
| 19 June | Bette Midler | "Wind Beneath My Wings" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 26 June | |||||||
| 3 July | |||||||
| 10 July | Roxette | "The Look" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 17 July | |||||||
| 24 July | |||||||
| 31 July | |||||||
| 7 August | |||||||
| 14 August | New Kids on the Block | "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" | 1 week | ||||
| 21 August | Simply Red | "If You Don't Know Me by Now" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 28 August | |||||||
| 4 September | |||||||
| 11 September | Richard Marx | "Right Here Waiting" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 18 September | |||||||
| 25 September | |||||||
| 2 October | |||||||
| 9 October | |||||||
| 16 October | |||||||
| 23 October | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | "Swing the Mood" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 30 October | |||||||
| 6 November | |||||||
| 13 November | Cher | "If I Could Turn Back Time" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 20 November | |||||||
| 27 November | |||||||
| 4 December | |||||||
| 11 December | |||||||
| 18 December | |||||||
| 25 December | The B-52's | "Love Shack" | 8 weeks (7 weeks in 1990) | ||||
Other hits
Songs peaking at number two included "Especially for You" by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, "Bedroom Eyes" by Kate Ceberano, "Batdance" by Prince, "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" by New Kids on the Block, and "All I Want Is You" by U2.
ARIA licensed the top 50 portion of the Kent Music Report (re-branded the Australian Music Report in 1987) chart between June 1983 and early June 1988.[1] ARIA conducted its own chart survey, for the first time, on 6 June 1988, producing a top 50 chart as a test-run. The following week's survey, 13 June 1988, became the first ARIA-produced chart published, although it was dated week-ending 26 June 1988 on the printed top 50 chart available in record stores,[2] in keeping with the Australian Music Report's method of dating their charts. The ARIA-produced chart ran concurrently with the Australian Music Report, until the latter ceased publication in 1999. The dates given for ARIA Charts below are Mondays, reflecting the date the chart survey was conducted.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 13 June | Cheap Trick | "The Flame" | 1 week | ||||
| 20 June | Louis Armstrong | "What a Wonderful World" | 1 week | ||||
| 27 June | Kylie Minogue | "Got to Be Certain" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 4 July | |||||||
| 11 July | |||||||
| 18 July | John Farnham | "Age of Reason" | 4 weeks | ||||
| 25 July | |||||||
| 1 August | |||||||
| 8 August | |||||||
| 15 August | Fairground Attraction | "Perfect" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 22 August | |||||||
| 29 August | |||||||
| 5 September | Robert Palmer | "Simply Irresistible" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 12 September | |||||||
| 19 September | |||||||
| 26 September | |||||||
| 3 October | |||||||
| 10 October | U2 | "Desire" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 17 October | |||||||
| 24 October | |||||||
| 31 October | Bobby McFerrin | "Don't Worry, Be Happy" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 7 November | |||||||
| 14 November | |||||||
| 21 November | |||||||
| 28 November | |||||||
| 5 December | |||||||
| 12 December | |||||||
| 19 December | The Beach Boys | "Kokomo" | 8 weeks | ||||
| 26 December |
Other hits
Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes' hit "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" was the best-charting single of the year according to ARIA (whereas the Australian Music Report lists this as the 2nd best-charting single of the year.)
Songs peaking at number two songs included "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House, "Doctorin' the Tardis" by The Timelords, "All Fired Up" by Pat Benatar, "The Only Way Is Up" by Yazz and the Plastic Population, and "A Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins.
Other major hits (with peak positions noted) included "Don't Be Cruel" (4) by Cheap Trick, "Love in the First Degree" (5) and "I Want You Back" (3) by Bananarama, "When Will I Be Famous?" (10) and "I Owe You Nothing" (6) by Bros, "I Want Your Love" (7) by Transvision Vamp and "Fat" (12) by "Weird Al Yankovic".
Hits by Australasian artists (with peak positions noted) also included "When a Man Loves a Woman" (3) by Jimmy Barnes, "Nothing Can Divide Us" (3) by Jason Donovan, "That's When I Think of You" (6) and "If I Could" (4) by 1927, "Love Is a Bridge" (11) by Little River Band, "So Excellent"/"I Go, I Go" (8) by Kylie Mole, and "I Still Love You (Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi)" (11) by Kylie Minogue.
| Date | Artist | Single | Weeks at number one | ||||
| 2 January | The Beach Boys | "Kokomo" | 8 weeks | ||||
| 9 January | |||||||
| 16 January | |||||||
| 23 January | |||||||
| 30 January | |||||||
| 6 February | |||||||
| 13 February | The Proclaimers | "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 20 February | |||||||
| 27 February | |||||||
| 6 March | |||||||
| 13 March | |||||||
| 20 March | Madonna | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="1" align="center" | "Like a Prayer" | 5 weeks | |||
| 27 March | Fine Young Cannibals | "She Drives Me Crazy" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 3 April | |||||||
| 10 April | Madonna | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="1" align="center" | "Like a Prayer" | 5 weeks | |||
| 17 April | Fine Young Cannibals | "She Drives Me Crazy" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 24 April | Madonna | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="2" align="center" | "Like a Prayer" | 5 weeks | |||
| 1 May | |||||||
| 8 May | Mike + The Mechanics | "The Living Years" | 1 week | ||||
| 15 May | Madonna | bgcolor=#FFFF99 align="left" rowspan="1" align="center" | "Like a Prayer" | 5 weeks | |||
| 22 May | The Bangles | "Eternal Flame" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 29 May | Bette Midler | "Wind Beneath My Wings" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 5 June | The Bangles | "Eternal Flame" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 12 June | Bette Midler | "Wind Beneath My Wings" | 2 weeks | ||||
| 19 June | The Bangles | "Eternal Flame" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 26 June | Roxette | "The Look" | 6 weeks | ||||
| 3 July | |||||||
| 10 July | |||||||
| 17 July | |||||||
| 24 July | |||||||
| 31 July | |||||||
| 7 August | New Kids on the Block | "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 14 August | |||||||
| 21 August | |||||||
| 28 August | Simply Red | "If You Don't Know Me by Now" | 1 week | ||||
| 4 September | Richard Marx | "Right Here Waiting" | 5 weeks | ||||
| 11 September | |||||||
| 18 September | |||||||
| 25 September | |||||||
| 2 October | |||||||
| 9 October | Cher | "If I Could Turn Back Time" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 16 October | Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers | "Swing the Mood" | 3 weeks | ||||
| 23 October | |||||||
| 30 October | |||||||
| 6 November | Cher | "If I Could Turn Back Time" | 7 weeks | ||||
| 13 November | |||||||
| 20 November | |||||||
| 27 November | |||||||
| 4 December | |||||||
| 11 December | |||||||
| 18 December | The B-52's | "Love Shack" | 8 weeks | ||||
| 25 December |
Other hits
The biggest chart hit, Madonna's "Like a Prayer", was ranked the 2nd best-charting single of the year by the Australian Music Report.
Songs peaking at number two included "Especially for You" by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, "Teardrops" by Womack & Womack, "Tucker's Daughter" by Ian Moss, "Bedroom Eyes" by Kate Ceberano, "Batdance" by Prince, "All I Want Is You" by U2, and "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel.
Other major hits (with peak positions noted) included "Baby I Don't Care" (3) by Transvision Vamp, "Poison" (3) by Alice Cooper, "Stop!" (4) by Sam Brown, "Talk It Over" (4) by Grayson Hugh, "Dressed for Success" (3) by Roxette, "You Got It" (3) by Roy Orbison, "The Best" (4) by Tina Turner, and "I Don't Want a Lover" (4) by Texas.
Hits by Australasian artists also included "Ring My Bell" (5) by Collette, "She Has to Be Loved" (5) by Jenny Morris, "Rock and Roll Music" (5) by Mental As Anything, "One Summer" (8) by Daryl Braithwaite, "Say Goodbye" (6) by Indecent Obsession, "Chained to the Wheel" (9) by The Black Sorrows, and "Hand on Your Heart" (4), "Wouldn't Change a Thing" (6), "Never Too Late" (14) all by Kylie Minogue.
based on the Kent Music Report