Australia is in the grand final of the 64th Eurovision Song Contest after Kate Miller-Heidke dazzled both the audience and the jury from atop a two-storey pole and wearing a sparkling three-metre tulle-and-crystal dress.

The European Broadcasting Union invited Australia to compete in 2015 as a ‘one-off’ special guest to celebrate the competition’s 60th anniversary. We’ve participated every year since.

Ms Miller-Heidke's song, Zero Gravity, channels her battle with depression after the birth of her son, Ernie.

Her semi-final success in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, this morning puts Australia among the 20 countries that advance to the grand final to meet the host country, Israel, and the ‘big five’ – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

Along with Australia, Greece, Belarus, Serbia, Cyprus, Estonia, Czech Republic, Iceland, San Marino and Slovenia also booked slots in the grand final.

The final scores for each performance are compiled by adding audience ‘televoting’ and scores assigned by the juries.

Betting agencies had Zero Gravity in ninth position among the 41 competing countries last weekend but have now elevated it into third place, behind the Netherlands and Sweden.

The 64th Eurovision Song Contest is live on SBS on Friday and Sunday at 5am, and repeated on Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 8.30pm.