Key dates
- The eligibility period for the inaugural NSW Music Prize is 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
- Nominations committees have submitted nominations for the three prizes between Monday, 11 August and Monday, 25 August.
- Finalists for the NSW Music Prize will be announced in early October.
- Judging panels will meet in early October to decide the winners.
- Winners will be announced at a prize ceremony on the 24th of November.

What is the NSW Music Prize?
The NSW Music Prize is a new annual prize delivered by Sound NSW, celebrating the rich creativity and contribution of NSW artists to the contemporary music sector.
The $160,000 prize pool will be split across 3 categories:
- The NSW Music Prize, to be awarded to a NSW-based artist or act whose release or body of work has had the most significant impact over the last 12 months ($80,000).
- The NSW First Nations Music Prize, to be awarded to a NSW-based First Nations artist or act whose release or body of work has had significant and meaningful impact over the last 12 months ($40,000).
- The NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year, to be awarded to an emerging NSW-based artist or act who has had a groundbreaking 12 months ($40,000).
Sound NSW is the NSW Government’s dedicated contemporary music development office that provides advocacy and leadership, strategic initiatives, policy development, and investment and funding.
NSW Music Prize 2025 Winners
NSW Music Prize - SPEED Only One More
NSW First Nations Music Prize - BARKAA Big Tidda
NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year - Ninajirachi
NSW Music Prize 2025 Finalists
| Finalist | Release |
|---|---|
| 3% | Kill the Dead |
| BARKAA | Big Tidda |
| Kobie Dee | Chapter 26 |
| Ninajirachi | girl EDM |
| ONEFOUR | Look At Me Now |
| Party Dozen | Crime in Australia |
| RÜFÜS DU SOL | Inhale / Exhale |
| Shady Nasty | Trek |
| SPEED | Only One Mode |
| Vv Pete & Utility | Varvie World |
| Finalist | Release |
|---|---|
| 3% | Kill the Dead |
| BARKAA | Big Tidda |
| Djanaba | Did I Stutter? |
| Stiff Gins | Crossroads |
| Ziggy Ramo | Human? |
| Finalist |
|---|
| Don West |
| Ninajirachi |
| Royel Otis |
| Shady Nasty |
| SPEED |
Prize Ceremony
Finalists for the NSW Music Prize, the NSW First Nations Music Prize and the NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year were announced in early October. The NSW Music Prize will be awarded and announced publicly, via an invitation only awards ceremony held at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Monday 24 November.
Members of the 2025 nominations committees and judging panels
| Judging panel | First Nations |
| Emily Copeland - freelance music strategist | Ash McGregor - presenter/host, G.Y.R.O. |
| Grant Donges - freelance marketing and publicity | Jaja Dare - Apple Music/DECOLONISE |
| Simon Moor - Kobalt Music Publishing | Leah Flanagan - director/musician, APRA AMCOS |
| Sosefina Fuamoli - music journalist and broadcaster | |
| Travis de Vries - Awesome Black Studio |
| Nominations committee | First Nations nominations committee |
| Adam Lewis - Amazon Music | Aiden Powell - musician/University of Newcastle |
| Amelia Jenner - WAT Artists | Ali Murphy-Oates - Create NSW |
| Andy Garvey - artist/label founder | Karla Ranby - ABC |
| Ash McGregor - presenter/host, G.Y.R.O. | Travis de Vries - Awesome Black Studio |
| Caitlin Welsh - SydneyMusic.net | Alethea Beetson - Blak Social/Spotify |
| Chloe Melick - as ONE Management | |
| Christopher Kevin Au - artist manager | |
| Hau Latukefu - ABC/Forever Ever | |
| Jaja Dare - Apple Music/DECOLONISE | |
| Jannah Beth - Offbeat Collective | |
| Jeremy Rose - artist/label director Earshift Music | |
| Karen Waters - Red Rebel Music | |
| Lauren Guerrera - triple j | |
| Mel Cheng - freelancer/formerly OneLouder | |
| Munasib Hamid - freelance/Kerfew | |
| Nic Kelly - Hit Network Nights | |
| Sebastien Desnoux - Bodega Collective | |
| Stephen Green - The Music Press | |
| Tammy Moir - Happy Mag | |
| Tyson Koh - FBi Radio |
Definitions across all prizes
- Eligibility period is 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
- Sound recordings that have had their first public release are sound recordings that are released to the public in a physical format (i.e. vinyl records, CDs) and/or via digital platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp or Soundcloud. Audio-visual recordings (videos) of live performances are not eligible.
- Eligible formats include an album, EP, mixtape or a collection of at least 3 singles of which:
- at least 50% (by number of tracks) must be previously unreleased recordings. Remixed tracks are not considered previously unreleased recordings
- at least 75% (by number of tracks) must be recordings of newly written original contemporary musical compositions (i.e. not covers/recordings of pre-existing compositions)
- all tracks must feature the nominee artist or act. Multi-artist compilations are not eligible.
- Eligible genres include all forms of contemporary music excluding experimental music, sound art, contemporary classical, opera, choral and classical music.
NSW Music Prize eligibility and assessment criteria
- Eligibility period: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025.
- Nominee artists and acts must be a current NSW-based artist (meaning their usual place of residence is NSW) or a previously NSW-based artist who has toured or worked in NSW in the preceding 24 months before 30 June 2025, demonstrating their connection to NSW.
- For nominee acts with multiple artist members, at least 50% must adhere to the above.
- Nominee artists or acts must have sound recordings that have had their first public release in Australia during the eligibility period in the eligible genres and eligible formats. The prize assessment criteria applies only in relation to such sound recordings.
Nominee artists and acts will be assessed by the judging panel with scores out of 10 on each of the following criteria in relation to their eligible sound recordings:
(i). Concept and creativity: the body of work presents a strong artistic vision, through a compelling expression of personality, style or storytelling. The music shows a clear creative direction, with original ideas and a sense of purpose. It stands out for being bold, different, relevant and willing to take risks.
(ii). Composition and production: the music is well written and well structured, with strong lyrics (where relevant), songwriting and storytelling. The recordings demonstrate intentionality and confidence and are produced in a way that’s interesting and enjoyable to listen to.
(iii). Impact and influence: the body of work has made a mark on the music scene, influenced other artists, and contributed to culture in a meaningful way. It may have also received awards, recognition or other notable achievements.
The panel may take into account any factors that could reasonably affect the integrity or reputation of the prize.
NSW First Nations Music Prize eligibility and assessment criteria
- Nominees must be currently NSW-based and/or have a strong cultural connection to the land now known as NSW.
- Solo artist nominees must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- For acts with multiple members: either the main creative lead in the group or at least 50% of group’s members must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- Nominee artists or acts must have sound recordings that have had their first public release in Australia during the eligibility period in the eligible genres and eligible formats. The prize assessment criteria applies only in relation to such sound recordings.
- Note that artists and acts that meet the additional eligibility criteria for the First Nations Music Prize are also eligible for the NSW Music Prize and NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
Nominees will be assessed with scores out of 10 on each of the following criteria in relation to their eligible sound recordings:
(i). Concept and creativity: the work presents a strong artistic vision, through a compelling expression of personality, style or storytelling. The music shows a clear creative direction, with original ideas and a sense of purpose. It stands out for being bold, different, relevant and willing to take risks.
(ii). Composition and production: the music is well written and well structured, with strong lyrics (where relevant), songwriting and storytelling. The recordings demonstrate intentionality and confidence and are produced in a way that’s interesting and enjoyable to listen to.
(iii). Impact and influence: the work has made a mark on the music scene, influenced other artists, and contributed to First Nations creativity, culture and community in a meaningful way. It may have also received awards, recognition or other notable achievements.
The panel may take into account any factors that could reasonably affect the integrity or reputation of the prize.
NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year eligibility & assessment Criteria
- Nominees must be currently NSW-based (meaning their usual place of residence is NSW) or a previously NSW-based artist who has toured or worked in NSW in the preceding 24 months before 30 June 2025, demonstrating their connection to NSW. For nominee acts with multiple artist members, at least 50% must adhere to the above.
- Nominee artists or acts must be from the eligible genres and demonstrate the occurrence of the following during the eligibility period:
- achievement of a major breakthrough, marking a significant shift in public recognition including the emergence of a wider fan base and initial crossover into mainstream or broader cultural awareness; or
- activities and achievements with clear momentum and growth potential, positioning the artist or act for continued success and the possibility of becoming a household name within the next 12–18 months.
- Eligible genres include all forms of contemporary music but excluding experimental music, sound art, contemporary classical, opera, choral and classical music.
Nominees will be assessed with scores out of 10 on each of the following criteria:
(i). Growth and recognition: for the first time in their career, the artist or act has experienced significant visible progress including high-profile notable performances, major media coverage, dramatically increased social media following or industry recognition.
(ii). Artistic innovation: the artist or act is pushing creative boundaries, influencing other artists or inspiring a new wave of interest or conversation within the industry and audiences.
(iii). Future potential: the artist or act is likely to experience increased success over the next 12-18 months, transitioning from breakthrough success to a broader mainstream audience. This includes expanding significantly beyond their initial fanbase, securing commercial partnerships, sold-out tours or continued growth in streams or sales.
The panel may take into account any factors that could reasonably affect the integrity or reputation of the prize.
Nomination and assessment process
- Artists and acts are nominated by a nominations committee appointed by Sound NSW, made up of 20 experts with wide-ranging knowledge and experience across the Australian music industry and media landscape.
- Each nominations committee member will nominate 5 artists/acts, considering the prize’s eligibility criteria and assessment criteria. Nominations will be submitted by a preferential nomination system (for example, first choice will receive 5 points, second choice will receive 4 points and so on).
- Sound NSW will collate nominee submissions, tally votes and rank from highest to lowest score to determine finalists. There will be 10 finalists for this category. If more than 10 artists/acts receive enough nominations to be ranked 1st to 10th, the nominations committee will be asked to do a second round of preferential voting on this group of nominees.
- Sound NSW will contact potential finalists to provide details to confirm their eligibility. If eligible, finalists will be confirmed and required to accept Sound NSW terms and conditions for the prize. If ineligible, the nominee will be excluded from the list of finalists and the next eligible nominee will be included in the list of finalists.
- The winner of the prize will be selected from the 10 Finalists by a Judging Panel appointed by Sound NSW made up of 5 experts with wide-ranging knowledge and experience across the Australian music industry and media landscape. The judging panel will evaluate the finalists against the assessment criteria. The winner will be announced publicly, and the judging panel’s decision is final and binding.
- Artists and acts are nominated by a First Nations nominations committee appointed by Sound NSW, made up of 5 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander experts with wide-ranging knowledge and experience across the Australian music industry and media landscape.
- The First Nations nominations committee will nominate 3 artists/acts, considering the prize’s eligibility criteria and assessment criteria. Nominations will be submitted by a preferential nomination system (for example, first choice will receive 3 points, second choice will receive 2 points and so on).
- Sound NSW will collate nominee submissions, tally votes and rank from highest to lowest score to determine finalists. There will be 5 finalists for this category. If more than 5 artists/acts receive enough nominations to be ranked 1st to 5th, the nominations committee will be asked to do a second round of preferential voting on this group of nominees.
- Sound NSW will contact potential finalists to provide details to confirm their eligibility. If eligible, finalists will be confirmed and required to accept Sound NSW terms and conditions for the prize. If ineligible, the nominee will be excluded from the list of finalists and the next eligible nominee will be included in the list of finalists.
- Confirmation of Aboriginality and/or evidence of connection to First Nations culture and community may be requested as an additional eligibility check at the judging stage, as requested by First Nations judging panel. More information and examples of how First Nations identity can be evidenced and verified can be found here.
- The winner of the prize will be selected from the 5 Finalists by a First Nations judging panel appointed by Sound NSW, made up of three Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander experts with wide-ranging knowledge and experience across the Australian music industry and media landscape. The First Nations judging panel will evaluate the finalists against the assessment criteria. The winner will be announced publicly and the Judging Panel’s decision is final and binding.
- Artists and acts are nominated by a nominations committee appointed by Sound NSW, made up of 20 experts with wide-ranging knowledge and experience across the Australian music industry and media landscape. The nominations committee will nominate 3 acts based on the eligibility criteria. Nominations will be submitted by a preferential nomination system (for example, first choice will receive 3 points, second choice will receive 2 points and so on).
- Sound NSW will collate nominee submissions, tally votes and rank from highest to lowest score to determine finalists. There will be 5 finalists for this category. If more than 5 artists/acts receive enough nominations to be ranked 1st to 5th, the nominations committee will be asked to do a second round of preferential voting on this group of nominees.
- Sound NSW will contact potential finalists to provide details to confirm their eligibility. If eligible, finalists will be confirmed and required to accept Sound NSW terms and conditions for the Prize. If ineligible, the nominee will be excluded from the list of finalists and the next eligible nominee will be included in the list of finalists.
- The winner of the prize will be selected from the 5 finalists by a judging panel appointed by Sound NSW, made up of 5 experts with wide-ranging knowledge and experience across the Australian music industry and media landscape. The judging panel will evaluate the finalists against the assessment criteria. The winner will be announced publicly and the judging panel’s decision is final and binding.
