2025 Recipients & Finalists

ARIA Executive Leader Award

The award recognises the exceptional leadership of an Executive* leader who creates significant and positive change to generate equality for female and gender-diverse people in the Australian music industry. This award category is open to a CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, MD or GM.

RECIPIENT: Nicole Richards

FINALISTS: Monique Douglas, Kimbali Harding

Opera Impact Award

Presented in partnership with Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, State Opera South Australia, Victorian Opera and West Australian Opera.

The Opera Impact Award acknowledges a female or gender-diverse person working in the field of opera as an artist, creative producer or manager, through which their vision and agency has made a significant impact on the ongoing development of the artform.

RECIPIENT: Nicole Car

FINALISTS: Andrée Greenwell, Siobhan Stagg

Universal Music Australia Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented to a female or gender diverse artist or musician who has made an outstanding artistic contribution to the field of recording and/or live performance during their lifetime.

RECIPIENT: Dr Shellie Morris AO

Inaugural Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Legacy

In response to the 50th anniversary NAIDOC theme; The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, Australian Women in Music wish to recognise and encourage First Nations Women and their contributions to the industry.

RECIPIENTS: Arrkula Yinbayarra (Together We Sing) with Shellie Morris

Tina Arena Special Impact Award

This award honours an unsung champion of the Australian music industry.

RECIPIENT: Kylie Thompson

FINALISTS: Nancy Bates, Elise Reitze-Swensen

Ethical Engagement Consultancy Humanitarian Award

Recognises an individual (female, male or gender-diverse person) who has made a significant and lasting contribution in assisting female and gender-diverse artists working in remote and/or regional communities.

RECIPIENT: Tina Broad

FINALISTS: Catherine Mundy OAM, Yantra de Vilder

SSI Diversity in Music Award

Recognises individual artists or female and gender-diverse people-driven musical collaborations for their contribution to advancing a culturally diverse and inclusive music industry.

RECIPIENT: Grace Chia

FINALISTS: García, Mindy Meng Wang

Excellence in Classical Music Award

Recognises a mid-to-late career female or gender-diverse classical music artist who has demonstrated musical excellence throughout their career.

RECIPIENT: Catherine Milliken

FINALISTS: Cheryl Barker AO, Claire Edwardes

Australian Women in Music Inspiration Award

Represents a highly regarded creative role model for younger generations of recording, song-writing and live performance. An exceptional original musical artist or group with a unique talent who leads by example with confidence, authenticity, commitment and integrity.

RECIPIENTS: Donna Simpson & Vikki Thorn of The Waifs

Oztix Women in Heavy Music Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse person who has made contributions of outstanding significance as an artist, musician, music practitioner, agent, artist or label manager, supporter and/or advocator of Heavy Music.

RECIPIENT: Monica Strut

FINALISTS: Leah Martin-Brown, Chrissy McHugh

CollArts Creative Leadership Award

A curatorial award recognising excellence in creative programming from a female or gender-diverse person working in broadcast media (radio, tv, online, streaming services), a music festival or live performance/venue to champion female and gender-diverse artists.

RECIPIENT: Kimberley Galceran

FINALISTS: Luara Brandao, Sonja Horbelt

Sony Music Australia Artistic Excellence Award

Recognises exceptional creative achievement from a female or gender-diverse artist/musician across any genre.

RECIPIENT: Dr Shellie Morris AO

FINALISTS: Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins

Studio Production Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse sound engineer or producer who has made contributions of outstanding significance in the studio recording environment.

RECIPIENT: Tahlia-Rose Coleman

FINALISTS: Elise Reitze-Swensen, Louise Wheatley

Creative Technical Solutions Live Creative Production Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse person working in a live production environment making significant impact in their field: includes but is not limited to roles such as Live Sound, Lighting & Visual Design, Set Design, Show Producer etc.

RECIPIENT: Kate Berry

FINALISTS: Karen Norris, Sarah Ponturo

The Fortitude Music Hall Live Production Touring Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse person working in a live production or touring environment making significant impact in their field: Includes Tour/Operations/Promotions Management, Tour Assistant, Backstage, Roadcrew, and other related support roles.

RECIPIENT: Letisha Ackland

FINALISTS: Bonnie Knight, Kat Rallis

ALH Hotels Music Leadership Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse Managing Director, Label Manager, A&R Director, Artist Manager or Publisher making significant impact in music industry leadership.

RECIPIENT: Fiona Duncan

FINALISTS: Alexis Benedict, Maggie Collins

APRA AMCOS Songwriter Award

Recognises an outstanding female or gender-diverse songwriter or composer.

RECIPIENT: Missy Higgins

FINALISTS: Dallas Frasca, Vikki Thorn & Donna Simpson of The Waifs

City of Gold Coast Emerging Artist Award

Acknowledges an outstanding emerging female or gender-diverse artist between the ages of 18-25 inclusive.

RECIPIENT: Katia Geha

FINALISTS: Beckah Amani, Maeve Grieve

Hotel X Music Photographer Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse music photographer currently working in the field and to acknowledge their portfolio of work.

RECIPIENT: Suzanne Phoenix

FINALISTS: Adrianne Armida, Izzie Austin

Milestone Creative Australia Filmmaker Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse music videographer, clip-maker, filmmaker, or music animator currently working in the field and to acknowledge their body of work.

RECIPIENT: Emily Dynes

FINALISTS: Izzie Austin, Chrissy McHugh

Brisbane City Council Music Journalist Award

Recognises a female or gender-diverse music journalist, blogger or editor who has made a creative contribution and courageous impact in truth telling and innovative reporting in the Australian Music Industry.

RECIPIENT: Jules LeFevre

FINALISTS: Megan Burslem, Jane Gazzo

2025 Recipients Media Release