NSW Government Launches Nation’s Largest Music Prize

The NSW government has launched the country’s largest prize for music, providing three outstanding artists with tens of thousands of dollars to boost their careers in an increasingly tough industry.

Prizes will be awarded to NSW-based artists or acts who have demonstrated exceptional creative achievements and meaningful impact between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 after releasing music or achieving a major career breakthrough.

“Despite the fact NSW is the engine room of Australia’s music industry, we were one of the only states that didn’t have a music prize,” said Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham. “I thought that was a travesty, so the arrival of the NSW Music Prize will right that wrong.

“This investment will celebrate our artists, boost their careers and inspire the next generation to shoot for the stars.”

A prize of $80,000 will be awarded to the artist or act whose release has had the most significant impact, giving their career a much needed cash injection. There will also be seperate categories for a First Nations artist and a breakthrough artist, both receiving $40,000 each.

Winners will be determined through a selection committee of 20 music industry experts, who will nominate artists and create longlists for the NSW Music Prize and Breakthrough Artist. An expert Judging Panel of five will then decide on the winners.

Meanwhile, a specialised committee of five First Nations industry experts will be appointed to submit nominations for the First Nations Music Prize, with a judging panel of three First Nations experts from the music industry selecting the winner.

The winning artists will be announced in a ceremony in November, as part of Ausmusic month celebrations.

Prize a “great step forward” for industry

“By actively supporting outstanding, export-ready music through the NSW Music Prize, we’re empowering artists to compete in today’s global music market,” said ARIA PPCA CEO and Sound NSW Advisory Board member Annabelle Herd.

“NSW has a long and proud history of launching some of Australia’s greatest artists onto the global stage, and this targeted approach helps continue that legacy.

“The direct investment in First Nations music in particular ensures we are not only supporting, but actively celebrating, the richness and cultural depth at the heart of our music community.”

The announcement comes as part of the Minns government’s 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy, which aims to support and grow the state’s music sector amid COVID-19 setbacks and mounting financial pressures in a cost of living crisis.

It’s included the introduction of ‘Michael’s Rule‘, mandating local support acts for touring international artists, and the creation of the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund to provide emergency support for struggling festivals. 

Founder of Chugg Music and co-founder of Frontier Touring Michael Chugg says the prize will open doors across across the world.

“The input of the NSW Government and Sound NSW into the statewide music industry has created a lot of excitement and this latest announcement is a great step forward for the 1000s of talented musicians, artists, and industry workers who ply their talent playing, writing, and making great music, from the big cities to the smallest villages in our state.”