The Music's Power 50 Returns for 2025

After five years on the sidelines, The Music’s Power 50 returns in 2025, celebrating the power of Australian music. This year will celebrate those in the music industry who not only have the power to make or break careers, but that are actively using that power to bring Australian music to the front of the queue.

The Power 50 in 2025 will celebrate fifty Australian music industry identities who have achieved great things over the last year, shining a light not only on the big successes, but also the structural and cultural transformations that have made a difference behind the scenes.

No longer about who has simply made the most money, toured the largest internationals or happened to represent international catalogue, the Power 50 will bring to light the cultural changermakers that are connecting Australian music with Australian audiences and cultivating the artists and audiences of tomorrow in a celebration of the year’s innovation and achievement.

In the spirit of celebrating achievement rather than arbitrary rankings, this year’s Power 50 will celebrate ten achievers from five different industry categories, giving a wide focus on effective Australian music champions from across our broad industry. From those, the coveted 2025 Power 50 #1 Award winner will be crowned.

Power 50 nominees must have:

• A proven ability to shape the local music scene for the betterment of Australian music (including the cultivation and connection of audiences and artists);

• Made a significant impact on the music industry over the last twelve months through actions, programs or initiatives that have increased the visibility and cultural capital of Australian music;

• Worked in a role that has had a positive economic impact on the Australian industry and its creatives.

The categories are:

Recorded music: Labels, producers, distributors, studios, sync
Government & community: Regulatory, education, charity, industry bodies, unions
Retail & consumer: DSPs, retailers, platforms, media, tech innovators
Live music: Agents, promoters, touring, festivals, ticketing
Artist services: Managers, publishers, publicists, accountants, lawyers, branding & commercial

How To Enter:

Nominations are now open and close on October 26. You may nominate yourself or someone else. Nominations should be emailed to power50@themusic.com.au.

The nomination should directly address the criteria above, including specifics of personal and company contributions to the Australian music industry and the financial and cultural impact for Australian artists.

Your nomination will be commercial in-confidence and should provide any audience, sales, reach or financial statistics which back up the impact the nominee has had on Australian artists and culture over 2025.

Note that activities relating to international artists will only be considered in the context of their impact on Australian music. Your nomination may contain letters of support or other material you deem relevant, but may not exceed 10x A4 pages (PDF preferred).

The Power 50 will be announced from November 24 - 28, rounding out Australian Music Month.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if we work in the music industry but don’t fit into one of the categories?

Please choose the closest category and if the judging panel believes the entry would best fit in another category it may be shifted. If you are unsure, contact power50@themusic.com.au and we’ll assist you.

What if we wish to enter as a team?

The Power 50 is about celebrating individual achievement, but we understand that in some cases, two or maybe three people are equally responsible for achievements (such as co-directors or project leads). In all cases, the nominee should be the person responsible for actively leading their team and setting the strategic direction of the business.

What if nobody nominates me? Can I still be considered?

You may self-nominate. Stop being so shy. But don’t complain if you’re not in the list.

Who will be judging?

The Power 50 list will be compiled by The Music’s internal judging panel.

Will previous Power 50 positions be taken into account?

No. With the Power 50 returning from a five year hiatus, the music industry has changed markedly along with the criteria for the list. You may see some familiar faces, but as with any industry, five years is a long time.