NSW Music Prize 2025 FAQs

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. For further information, visit our website.

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).

• NSW Music Prize - $80,000
• NSW First Nations Music Prize - $40,000  
• NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year - $40,000

The cash prize can be used to assist the artist/act to further their own careers. It is not a grant, and therefore winners will not be required to acquit the prize money they receive.

Sound NSW opened an Expression of Interest (EOI) form between 5 July and 28 July 2025 where music industry professionals were able to nominate themselves to join a committee or panel. The objective of the EOI was to convene a nominations committee and judging panel, as well as a First Nations nominations committee and judging panel. Sound NSW selected the committee members and panellists from these expressions of interest. 

When recruiting the committees and panels, Sound NSW sought to deliver a cohort representing a variety of professional skills and experience from across the contemporary music industry, while considering cultural, geographical, gender, age and genre diversity across the committees and panels. Judges and nominations committee members must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, but do not have to be currently based in NSW or Australia.

NSW Music Prize nominations committees and judging panels members share their music industry expertise to nominate, assess and discuss NSW contemporary music artists or acts, releases and their impact over the eligibility period. Their role is to contribute to the finalist and winner selections for each category of the inaugural prize.

There are 4 judging groups with varying roles and responsibilities:

• Nominations committee (20 members): submit nominations for the NSW Music Prize and the NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year, which will result in a list of finalists.
• Judging panel (5 members): review the finalists of the NSW Music Prize and the NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year and select the winner for each category. They are a separate group from the nominations committee.
• First Nations nominations committee (5 members): submit nominations for the NSW First Nations Music Prize, which will result in a list of finalists.
• First Nations judging panel (3 members): review the finalists for the NSW First Nations Music Prize and select the winner for the category. They are a separate group from the First Nations nominations committee.

Please note: All members of the First Nations nominations committee or First Nations judging panel must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Eligibility 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.

Assessment criteria:

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 judging panel may take into account any factors that could reasonably affect the integrity or reputation of the prize.

Eligibility 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. 

Assessment criteria:
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 judging panel may take into account any factors that could reasonably affect the integrity or reputation of the prize.

Eligibility 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. 

Assessment criteria: 
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 judging panel may take into account any factors that could reasonably affect the integrity or reputation of the prize.

Before the nominations process begins, all members of the nominations committees and judging panels are required to sign a Code of Conduct, which governs their participation. They are required to declare their interests and known conflicts of interest at that time and again before they commence nominations and assessments. Conflicts are assessed in an ongoing manner as they arise and managed appropriately in accordance with assessment criteria and guidelines.

No. If a member of the nominations committees or judging panels has a business or personal relationship to an artist (i.e. a conflict of interest), they may not nominate that artist for any prize. 

The nominations committees do not meet; nominations are made via an online form.

The judging panels will meet to agree upon the winners of each prize. These meetings are expected to occur in a hybrid format (online, or in person at a location in Sydney, NSW).

Yes, members are paid a fee in alignment with the NSW Government Boards and Committees Remuneration guidelines, noted here:

Classification and Remuneration Framework for NSW Government Boards and Committees

Any NSW Public Service employee appointed to the committees or panels does not receive a fee.

Appointment to the committees and panels does not prohibit members, or any organisations they are associated with, from applying for Sound NSW grants.

The members are not involved in the assessment of grant applications to Sound NSW programs, unless already engaged as a Sound NSW industry assessor. Sound NSW industry assessors are eligible to submit an EOI for the NSW Music Prize nominations committees and judging panels.

Appointment to the nominations committees and judging panels does not impact eligibility to be on the Sound NSW industry assessor pool. Current industry assessor pool members were able to apply to be considered for appointment to the NSW Music Prize nominations committees and judging panels.

Appointment to the committees and panels does not impact eligibility for the Sound NSW advisory board. Current board members were able to apply to be considered for appointment to the NSW Music Prize nominations committee and judging panels.

No. Nominations for all award categories are made by a range of appointed industry experts.

A nominations committee of experts from across the contemporary music industry has been established to submit nominations for the NSW Music Prize and NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year. This will determine the finalists for both categories for an expert judging panel to determine the winners.

A nominations committee of First Nations industry experts has been appointed to submit nominations for the NSW First Nations Music Prize. This will determine the finalists for this category. The First Nations judging panel will then review finalists and select the winner of the category.

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 on Monday 24 November.

Yes, First Nations artists are eligible to win the NSW Music Prize, NSW First Nations Music Prize and NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each category. 

The NSW First Nations Music Prize was created in recognition of First Nations artists’ unique contribution to storytelling, country and culture. It ensures that every year that the NSW Music Prize takes place, no matter who else may win the other 2 prizes, First Nations artists will always be recognised.

Yes, there are First Nations contemporary music industry experts on all four nominations committee and judging panels. All members of the First Nations nominations committee and the First Nations judging panel must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

No. As there are only 3 prizes, an artist may only be awarded one prize per year. 

The same panel is responsible for selecting winners for both the NSW Music Prize and the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Prize. Judges will be directed to choose different recipients for each award to ensure diversity in recognition.

To ensure there are no duplicate winners across categories, draft winner lists will be shared between judging panels. If a First Nations artist is ranked highest by both judging panels, the artist will be awarded the prize of the highest monetary value.

In the instance where a First Nations artist is ranked highest for both the breakthrough prize and the First Nations prize (equal value), the artist will win the breakthrough prize. In both scenarios, the artist selected as runner up in the First Nations prize will take out the First Nations prize. 

First Nations artists could be nominated for all 3 awards, provided they met the eligibility criteria for each category. The prizes are assessed independently, so an artist who qualifies across multiple categories can be considered for each prize.

Artists who do not identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are eligible for the Breakthrough Artist of the Year and NSW Music Prizes, not the NSW First Nations Music Prize.