Tom Steinfort – Australian Journalist and Television Presenter
Tom Steinfort is an acclaimed Australian journalist and television presenter, best known for his work with the Nine Network, including 9News, 60 Minutes and the Today Show. With more than two decades of experience in broadcast journalism, Steinfort has reported on some of the most significant Australian and international news events, earning recognition for his investigative reporting, international coverage and engaging on-screen presence.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria, Tom developed an interest in journalism early in his career. He studied journalism at RMIT University while gaining practical experience as a reporter with WIN News in Ballarat. His early years in regional television provided a strong foundation for what would become an impressive career in Australian broadcasting.
Early Career and Rise at Nine Network
Tom Steinfort joined Nine News Melbourne in 2007, where he quickly established himself as a talented and determined reporter. His coverage of the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in 2009 brought him widespread recognition and earned him the Melbourne Press Club’s Young Journalist of the Year Award. His reporting also received a Walkley Award nomination.
In 2010, Steinfort moved to Sydney to join the investigative current affairs program A Current Affair. During this period, he contributed to significant investigations, including coverage of allegations of sexual abuse involving former television personality Robert Hughes.
His journalism took him to some of Australia’s most challenging news environments, including the devastating 2011 Japanese tsunami, the Queensland floods and the Christchurch earthquake. His reporting from Japan earned him a nomination for the Walkley Foundation’s Young Journalist of the Year Award.
International Reporting and 60 Minutes
Steinfort’s career expanded internationally when he became Nine Network’s Europe Correspondent, covering major political developments, international conflicts and breaking news stories.
He reported extensively across Europe and the United States, including the Brexit referendum, terrorist attacks across several European cities and the 2016 United States presidential election. He also travelled with Donald Trump during his successful presidential campaign, providing Australian audiences with firsthand coverage of one of the most significant political events of the decade.
Among his most memorable assignments was gaining rare access to North Korea during heightened tensions over its nuclear missile program. He also reported from South Africa during the high-profile Oscar Pistorius murder trial and travelled to Ukraine to interview President Volodymyr Zelensky during Russia’s invasion.
In 2018, Steinfort joined 60 Minutes as a full-time correspondent, further establishing his reputation as one of Australia’s prominent investigative journalists. His work for the program has taken him to more than 40 countries, covering stories involving politics, crime, international affairs and human interest.
Author and Investigative Journalist
Beyond television, Tom Steinfort has also established himself as an author and podcast presenter.
In 2021, he published The Sins of the Sheikh, an investigative book examining the Dubai royal family, controversial allegations surrounding its ruling dynasty and issues involving human rights and women’s rights.
He also co-created the successful investigative podcast Liar Liar, alongside award-winning journalist Kate McClymont of The Sydney Morning Herald. The series explored the extraordinary case of Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick, whose disappearance followed revelations of a major financial fraud.
These projects demonstrated Steinfort’s ability to take complex investigative stories beyond traditional television reporting and present them to wider audiences.
Today Show and Television Career
Throughout his career, Steinfort has remained a familiar face on Australian television. In 2017, he returned to Sydney to co-host Weekend Today before becoming a newsreader on the weekday Today Show.
His broadcasting experience also includes major sporting events, with assignments covering Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups and other significant sporting competitions. A passionate Richmond Football Club supporter, he has often spoken about his love of Australian rules football.
In 2024, Steinfort returned to Melbourne to co-anchor the Nine Network’s flagship 6pm weeknight news bulletin, 9News Melbourne, alongside journalist Alicia Loxley.
In September 2026, Nine Network announced another major career milestone, confirming Steinfort as the new co-host of the national breakfast program Today, alongside Sylvia Jeffreys. The appointment marks his return to morning television in one of Australia’s most prominent presenting roles.
A Respected Face of Australian Television
Tom Steinfort’s career reflects a combination of investigative journalism, international reporting and mainstream television broadcasting. From covering natural disasters and international conflicts to interviewing world leaders and presenting major news bulletins, he has built a reputation as a versatile and experienced Australian journalist.
His approachable presenting style, curiosity and willingness to tackle challenging assignments have helped make him a recognisable figure in Australian media. As he takes on his new role with the Today Show, Steinfort continues to be an important part of the Nine Network’s television lineup and Australia’s evolving broadcast journalism landscape.
