NSW Music Prize 2025

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.