The SMH, published by Fairfax Media, had a total monthly readership of 5.1 million in August, which was down 8.6 per cent compared with a year earlier, but remained well ahead of cross-town rival The Daily Telegraph, which came in second place with 4.1 million readers across all platforms, which was down 4.8 per cent from a year earlier, according to Enhanced Media Metrics Australia data.

News Corp's Melbourne tabloid, the Herald Sun, had 3.9 million readers in August, down 6.9 per cent from the previous year, while Fairfax competitor The Age had 3.1 million, down 7.2 per cent.

The Australian Financial Review grew its total monthly audience by near 11 per cent to 1.6 million, thanks in large part to big increases in web, mobile and online traffic.

News Corp's national title, The Australian, saw its total monthly audience slip 7 per cent to just over 3 million.

Its Queensland tabloid, The Courier Mail, had a total audience of 2.9 million, down 6.4 per cent, while Fairfax's Canberra based title, The Canberra Times, grew its audience by 6.6 per cent to 826,000.

According to the EMMA data, 16.4 million people consumer news content over August.

"That 16.4 million consumers read Australian newspaper content each month in a saturated media environment reflects the essential role of news media brands and the quality of Australian journalism in our society," the Newspaper Works chief executive Mark Hollands said.

"While mobile audiences continue their steady rise, offering an engaged and highly attractive readership to advertisers, print remains most Australians' preferred means of consuming newspapers.

"And with 3.2 million Australians reading regional newspapers and 5.1 million reading suburban titles each month, their important and enduring place in communities is clear."