2025 APRA Professional Development Awards Winners Revealed

The winners of the 2025 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDA) have been revealed this week.

BARKAA, Romy Vagar, Becca Hatch, KIAN and Skeleten were just a few of the 13 songwriters and composers awarded a share of $130,000 ($10,000 each) to be spent on workshops, music education courses and co-writing sessions in Sydney on Thursday.

“Investing in career development opportunities for our members is a big part of what we do, and our PDAs have a demonstrated track record in enabling career-defining opportunities,” APRA AMCOS CEO, Dean Ormston, said.

“It’s wonderful to see such a diverse range of talented songwriters and composers across multiple genres being recognised, and it’s testament to their dedication, commitment, passion and putting in the hard yards to progress their careers in what is a very challenging and competitive industry.

“I have no doubt that this will be an important step to bigger and better things for this year’s winners and driving Australia’s reputation as a global music powerhouse.”

Check out all of the 2025 winners below:

BARKAA – Hip Hop/Rap
Becca Hatch – NATSIMO Youth (under 25)
Cassie Hamilton – A Transgender Woman on the Internet, Crying – Music Theatre
Denvah – Country/Americana
Josten Myburgh – Classical & Experimental
Kee’ahn Bindol – NATSIMO General
KIAN – Popular Contemporary
Marlene Cummins – NATSIMO Senior (over 50)
Romy Vager – Popular Contemporary
Samuel Marks – Screen Composition
Skeleten – Dance/Electronic
Solune – Jazz & Improvised Music
Wild Gloriosa – R&B/Soul

Previous PDA winners include Gotye, Angie McMahon, Baker Boy, Miss Elsy Wameyo, Gotye, Miss Kaninna, Morgan Evans, Ngaiire, and Yirrmal.

This year’s panel of judges were made up by a number of respected artists, producers, presenters and journalists, including Brooke McClymont, Casey Barnes, Julian Hamilton, Liz Stringer, Dave Ruby Howe and Sosefina Fuamoli.