2025 Australian Women In Music Awards Finalists Revealed

The Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMA) return to Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley this October. Ahead of the big day, the impressive list of nominees was announced today (29 July).

Among the list of finalists revealed today are Dr Shellie Morris AO, Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, Dallas Frasca, Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson of The Waifs fame, Maggie Collins, Karen Norris, and Monica Strut. Other finalists include Beckah Amani, Jane Gazzo, Mindy Meng Wang, Kylie Thompson, Izzie Austin, and many others – you can see the full list below.

For its sixth year, AWMA amassed a record number of nominations across 20 diverse award categories, acknowledging women and gender-diverse individuals across Australia’s music industry, from performers to technical and leadership roles, those committed to boosting regional industries, emerging artists, and more.

This year’s AWMA Ceremony and Concert will be held on Thursday, 9 October, at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane/Meanjin. Tickets to attend the event will be available in August – head to the AWMA website for more details.

"AWMA’s capacity to reach artists and music practitioners in regional and remote communities whilst raising the collective voice to promote the importance of gender equality is our true superpower,” said AWMA Founding Executive Producer Vicki Gordon.

“Congratulations to all the exceptional artists, leaders, techs and music practitioners recognised this year. Your talent, passion and impact continue to shape the future of the Australian music industry.”

AWMA Juror Chair Dr Diana Tolmie added, “Our wonderful jurors always work hard to recognise the extraordinary stories of our nominees, and this year was no exception. They were excited by the innovation and resilience represented by all and humbled by the nominees’ continued dedication to the art form throughout so many diverse sectors of the industry.”

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS

2025 FINALISTS

ARIA Executive Leader Award

FINALISTS: Monique Douglas, Kimbali Harding, Nicole Richards

Opera Impact Award

FINALISTS: Nicole Car, Andrée Greenwell, Siobhan Stagg

Universal Music Australia Lifetime Achievement Award

TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT

Tina Arena Special Impact Award

FINALISTS: Nancy Bates, Elise Reitze-Swensen, Kylie Thompson

Ethical Engagement Consultancy Humanitarian Award

FINALISTS: Tina Broad, Catherine Mundy OAM, Yantra de Vilder

SSI Diversity in Music Award

FINALISTS: Grace Chia, Christine García, Mindy Meng Wang

Excellence in Classical Music Award

FINALISTS: Cheryl Barker AO, Claire Edwardes, Catherine Milliken

Australian Women in Music Inspiration Award

TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT

Oztix Women in Heavy Music Award

FINALISTS: Leah Martin-Brown, Chrissy McHugh, Monica Strut

Collarts Creative Leadership Award

FINALISTS: Luara Brandao, Kimberley Galceran, Sonja Horbelt

Sony Music Australia Artistic Excellence Award

FINALISTS: Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, Dr Shellie Morris AO

Studio Production Award

FINALISTS: Tahlia-Rose Coleman, Elise Reitze-Swensen, Louise Wheatley

Creative Technical Solutions Live Creative Production Award

FINALISTS: Kate Berry, Karen Norris, Sarah Ponturo

The Fortitude Music Hall Live Production Touring Award

FINALISTS: Letisha Ackland, Bonnie Knight, Kat Rallis

ALH Hotels Music Leadership Award

FINALISTS: Alexis Benedict, Maggie Collins, Fiona Duncan

APRA AMCOS Songwriter Award

FINALISTS: Dallas Frasca, Missy Higgins, Vikki Thorn & Donna Simpson of The Waifs

City of Gold Coast Emerging Artist Award

FINALISTS: Beckah Amani, Katia Geha, Maeve Grieve

Hotel X Music Photographer Award

FINALISTS: Adrianne Armida, Izzie Austin, Suzanne Phoenix

Filmmaker Award

FINALISTS: Izzie Austin, Emily Dynes, Chrissy McHugh

Brisbane City Council Music Journalist Award

FINALISTS: Megan Burslem, Jane Gazzo, Jules LeFevre