Outgoing host Patricia Karvelas, who has been with RN for 10 years, will transition to a cross-platform role, including anchoring ABC's News channel's Afternoon Briefing and hosting a new politics podcast.

Sara will officially start her role on January 20, 2025, with the revamped show launching at a new time of 5:30 AM.

Before her official start, Sara will present Summer Breakfast from December 16 to January 3.

Joining Sara will be a team of seasoned journalists, including Melissa Clarke, Peter Ryan, and Luke Siddham Dundon, enhancing the program's coverage.

Karvelas endorsed Sara as a highly experienced and beloved figure at the ABC, highlighting her extensive background as a foreign correspondent.

The changes come as Radio National Breakfast faces significant audience decline, with its share dropping to 2% in Sydney and 2.2% in Melbourne, halving since 2021.

ABC chair Kim Williams has expressed a desire for Radio National to match the influence of BBC Radio 4, targeting a reach of 17% of the Australian public weekly.

ABC News Director Justin Stevens emphasized Sara's experience and the continuity she will bring to the program following Karvelas' departure.

Sara, a two-time Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year, has reported from over 40 countries and is currently the presenter of The World Today.

The new format of the show aims to increase focus on international news, emulating the BBC Radio 4's Today program.

As part of a broader reassessment, the ABC is reviewing its Radio National programming and has encouraged staff to refer to the station as Radio National instead of 'RN'.

ABC has announced that award-winning journalist Sally Sara will replace Patricia Karvelas as the new presenter for Radio National Breakfast, bringing extensive audio journalism experience to the program.