Australian Women in Music Awards Announce 2026 Finalists After Record Nominations
Judy Small AM, Kate Duncan and more are among this year's AWMA finalists, with the awards returning to Brisbane across May 26-27, 2027.
The Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) have revealed the finalists for their 2026 edition, with Judy Small AM, Babyshakes Dillon, Megan Burslem, Kate Duncan, Katy Richards and Jessica Wells among those recognised.
This year's awards have attracted a record number of nominations across 22 categories spanning artistry, songwriting, technical and production work, leadership, photography, filmmaking and other behind-the-scenes roles across the Australian music industry.
While the awards and accompanying conference are traditionally held around October, this year's edition has been pushed back to May 2027, with events taking place across two days in Meanjin/Brisbane.
The AWMA Conference will be held at the Judith Wrights Arts Centre on Wednesday, May 26th, marking the first time the conference has been presented at the venue. The program will include forums, workshops and an ‘In Conversation’ keynote address, with further details to be announced.
The AWMA Ceremony and concert will follow at The Fortitude Music Hall on Thursday, May 27th, featuring black carpet arrivals and a program of curated live performances.
Among this year's finalists are Chrissie Vincent, Kate Duncan and Alexandria Morse, who have been nominated for the inaugural ARIA Music Advocacy Award.
Deb Suckling, Tracee Hutchison and Tania de Jong AM are finalists for the Tina Arena Special Impact Award, while Margaret Brandman, Judy Small AM and Anita Wardell have been recognised in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
Elsewhere, Lottie McLeod, Paulina and Steph Strings are nominated for the Emerging Artist Award, while Karen Kyriakou, Emma Memma and Mindy Meng Wang are finalists for Diversity in Music.
Sarah Belkner, Sophie Edwards and Monique Sesto are nominated in Studio Production, with Giulia McGauran, Simone Gorman-Clark and Jordy Pannowitz named as finalists for the Photographer Award.
AWMA Executive Producer Vicki Gordon said the awards continued to provide an opportunity to recognise talent across all corners of the industry.
“It is an honour to announce the AWMA finalists every year to spotlight the extraordinary depth of talent thriving across all areas of industry. This is how we collectively rewrite the future of Australian music culture,” Gordon said.
“Warmest congratulations to all the exceptional artists, leaders, techs and music practitioners working behind the scenes who have been recognised this year.”
The finalists were selected by a 63-member Juror Council led by AWMA Juror Chair, Queensland musician and educator Dr Diana Tolmie.
Tolmie said the standard of nominations reflected the breadth of work being done by women and gender-diverse professionals across the sector, while also pointing to strong representation from the classical music community.
“Our Juror Council approached the process with deep integrity and rigour,” she said. “The extraordinary standards of nominations this year reflects the profound talent and impact of Australia's women and gender-diverse music professionals.”
Tolmie also noted that male industry leaders made up one-third of the Juror Council, describing their participation as part of a “shared commitment to an equitable future for Australian music.”
The Australian Women in Music Awards recognise First Nations women, women, gender-diverse and multicultural artists and music professionals working across genres and sectors of the industry.
More information on AWMA can be found on the website. A full list of finalists and categories is below.
AWMA Finalists 2026/27
Inaugural ARIA Music Advocacy Award
Kate Duncan
Alexandra Morse
Chrissie Vincent
Opera Impact Award
Katrina Waters
Jessica O'Donoghue
Laura Hansford
Lifetime Achievement Award
Margaret Brandman
Judy Small AM
Anita Wardell
Australian Women in Music Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Legacy Award
TBA
Tina Arena Special Impact Award
Deb Suckling
Tania de Jong AM
Tracee Hutchison
Humanitarian Award
Louise Sawilejskij
Dr Yantra de Vilder
Zoe Scrogings
Diversity in Music Award
Emma Memma
Karen Kyriakou
Mindy Meng Wang
Excellence in Classical Music Award
Sophie Rowell
Jessica Gethin
Jessica Wells
Australian Women in Music Inspiration Award
Was presented to Kim ‘Busty Beatz' Bowers on March 20th, 2026.
Women in Heavy Music Award
Rachel Whitford
Candace Krieger
Robyn Doreian
Collarts Creative Leadership Award
Sonja Horbelt
Stephanie Nicholls
Chelsea Wilson
Sony Music Australia Artistic Excellence Award
Jessica Wells
Mindy Meng Wang
Aviva Endean
Studio Production Award
Monique Sesto
Sarah Belkner
Sophie Edwards
Live Creative Production Award
Kearna Sweeney
Carley Griffen
Sarah Ponturo
Live Production Touring Award
Robyn Jelleff
Mahalia Swinfield
Katy Richards
Music Leadership Award
Vivienne Mellish
Kristy Rosser
Katy Richards
APRA AMCOS Songwriter Award
Babyshakes Dillon
Grace Woodroofe
Ruby Gill
Emerging Artist Award
Paulina
Lottie McLeod
Steph Strings
Music Photographer Award
Guiliana McGauran
Simone Gorman-Clark
Jordy Pannowitz
Filmmaker Award
Emma Franz
Phoebe Faye
Music Journalist Award
Clare Neal
Heather Anderson
Megan Burslem
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Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
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