Miller-Heidke won the nationally televised competition to represent Australia at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in May in Tel Aviv.

Ten performers took part in the show, organised by broadcaster SBS, but it was Miller-Heidke who garnered the most votes from both the jury and the public.

It was the first time the public was allowed to vote for its contestant.

Miller-Heidke, wearing a silver dress and a shiny headpiece, performed her operatic pop song Zero Gravity, which is about overcoming postnatal depression.

"Argh!! Thank you so much for voting for me! Absolutely overwhelmed right now," she said on her Twitter after winning the competition on Saturday night.

Eurovision is the world's largest television music competition.

Despite being a European contest, Australia has been competing in Eurovision since 2015.

Australia's inclusion is in recognition of the country's large fan base. Three million Aussies watched Eurovision last year.

In 2018, Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the contest, helping to bring the competition to her country this year.

Australia's candidate Jessica Mauboy, who has toured with Beyonce in the past, finished 20th.

The three previous Australian entrants all finished in the top 10, with Dami Im finishing second in 2016.

Ireland has won the most Eurovision finals, with seven wins.

Australian Associated Press