The film's world premiere was at the 2016 Melbourne International Film Festival, where the festival's Artistic Director Michelle Carey said "Seeing Joe Cinque's Consolation was one of the most visceral experiences I’ve had in a long time." It was also selected to be screened in the Discovery section at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. It was released nationally in cinemas across Australia on 13 October 2016. "Joe Cinque's Consolation" grossed $224,868 at the Australian box office, making it the tenth highest grossing Australian film of 2016. It was released on DVD and digital download in March 2017. The film premiered on Australian television on the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) on Friday 20 October 2017.