Couchman studied at the
National Institute of Dramatic Art and worked for two years as an actor with the Young Elizabethan Players. Once he decided he wanted to be a reporter, he joined the ABC, starting in their Sydney mailroom. Couchman worked on
This Day Tonight, the ABC's evening current affairs program in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1973, he was Singapore correspondent for the ABC. Couchman travelled to
Cambodia in May 1973 with cameraman
David Brill He was a reporter for
Four Corners for three terms: 1968–1969, 1974–1975 and 1987–1989. He was the host of the Victorian edition of
This Day Tonight during the 1970s. In 1978, he moved to
Network Ten, hosting
The Peter Couchman Show, a daytime talk show and the late-night
Peter Couchman Tonight. In August 1979, he moved to a prime-time slot with magazine program ''Peter Couchman's Melbourne''. In 1980, Couchman presented an afternoon radio program on
3AW. There was a contractual dispute between 3AW and the ABC, with 3AW believing that they had an agreement to renew Couchman's contract for 1981. The Supreme Court found for the ABC. When the ABC revamped its news and current affairs with a new program,
The National, in 1985, Couchman was appointed Asian correspondent, based once more in Singapore. The program won a 1987
Logie Award for Most Outstanding Achievement in Public Affairs. Couchman turned down an offer to present
Seven Network's
Holiday to return to
Four Corners in 1987. From 1989 to 1992, he hosted the eponymous
Couchman forum program with a similar format to Robert Moore's
Monday Conference (1971–1978) and the current
Q&A. In January 1994 he hosted the ABC's
The 7.30 Report in Sydney. In November that year, Couchman was arrested during the "Save Albert Park" protests against the
Australian Grand Prix being run at
Albert Park in Melbourne. He was released without charge. From 1995 to 1997, Couchman hosted the morning slot on
774 ABC Melbourne radio, formerly known as 3LO, taking over from
Ranald Macdonald. He had a combative relationship with the Victorian premier,
Jeff Kennett, who was a regular guest on the program. Couchman now works on the speakers circuit as an MC and moderator. ==Notable work==