Nominate
AWMA 2026 Nominations
28 APRIL 2026 – 8 JUNE 2026
ARIA Music Advocacy
This award recognises a woman or gender diverse person who is advocating and influencing outcomes and pushing for meaningful reform for issues shaping the future of the Australian contemporary music industry.
Just as other industries have built powerful lobbying forces that influence policy and drive systemic change at every level of government and with the community, similarly, the Australian music industry needs champions for local music with the Australian public and strong advocates for equality and safety for everyone.
Opera Impact
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.
Lifetime Achievement
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.
Tina Arena Special Impact
This award honours an unsung champion of the Australian music industry.
Humanitarian
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.
Diversity in Music
Recognises individual artists or female and gender-diverse people-driven musical collaborations for their contribution to advancing a culturally diverse and inclusive music industry.
Excellence in Classical Music
Recognises a mid-to-late career female or gender-diverse classical music artist who has demonstrated musical excellence throughout their career.
Heavy Music
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.
Creative Leadership
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.
Artistic Excellence
Recognises exceptional creative achievement from a female or gender-diverse artist/musician across any genre.
Studio Production
Recognises a female or gender-diverse sound engineer or producer who has made contributions of outstanding significance in the studio recording environment.
Live Creative Production
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.
Live Production Touring
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.
Music Leadership
Recognises a female or gender-diverse Managing Director, Label Manager, A&R Director, Artist Manager or Publisher making significant impact in music industry leadership.
Songwriter
Recognises an outstanding female or gender-diverse songwriter or composer.
Emerging Artist
Acknowledges an outstanding emerging female or gender-diverse artist between the ages of 18-25 inclusive.
Music Photographer
Recognises a female or gender-diverse music photographer currently working in the field and to acknowledge their portfolio of work.
Filmmaker
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.
Music Journalist
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.
If you know an inspiring female or gender-diverse artist or music practitioner in the Australian Music Industry, whether they be a songwriter, peer, colleague, regional or remote artist, leader, someone working behind the scenes, a tech or a friend or simply part of our music community – nominate them below.
This year, we continue with #NominateThem – a campaign encouraging fans, peers and industry to nominate those who may not put themselves forward.
Please be sure to enter their email address and social media handles correctly, as we will use these details to advise them of their nomination.
Self nomination
You can also nominate yourself.
To start your own nomination, click below
AWMA acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of our First Nations and culturally diverse women and gender-diverse music practitioners across all genres of music.
Follow us!
Follow our socials and join our newsletter to stay on top of all AWMA news and be the first to know about this year’s finalists.
