APRA AMCOS announces finalists of Professional Development Awards
Clockwise from top right: Eliza Hull, Queenie, Jasmin Wing-Yin Leung
Published: 21 January 2026
Music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS has announced the finalists for the 2026 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDAs).
61 songwriters and composers across multiple categories have been announced, 13 of which will receive $10,000 to invest in their professional growth.
Of the ten finalists in the Popular Contemporary category, eight are female musicians including Women In Pop -featured Lucy Sugerman and bella amor along with Annie Hamilton, Eliza Hull and more.
“The music was of such high calibre and the level of creativity and thought put into how the funds could be used to support artistic and professional development was exciting to hear about,” one of the 50 judges Danny Harley says. “It speaks to a music community that is ambitious, considered and full of potential. I hope that no matter what the result for each applicant, that the process was encouraging and gave clarity for their ambitions regardless, because the applications were all outstanding.”
Previous winners of the APRA Professional Development Awards include Angie McMahon, BARKAA, Jem Cassar-Daley, Melanie Dyer, Miss Kaninna, Ngaiire and Rebecca Bracewell. This years winners will be announced on 12 February..
For more information visit apraamcos.com.au/professionaldevelopmentawards.
Follow APRA AMCOS on Instagram and Facebook
The 2026 APRA Professional Development Award finalists are:
Classical/Experimental
Eduardo Cossio
Gabriella Smart
Jasmin Wing-Yin Leung
Lizzy Welsh
Thea Rossen
Country/Americana
Dylan Ollivierre
Max Jackson
Queenie
Soren Walker (Sweet Talk)
Tori Darke
Dance/Electronic
Andy Garvey
Dugong Jr
Fatshaudi
Rromarin
Savannah Osei (Kinder)
Hip Hop/Rap
Chandler Jewels
JJ4K
Kwasi
Yawdoesitall
Zafty
Jazz/Improvised Music
Hamed Sadeghi
Hayley Chan
Jacques Emery
Mina Yu
Yutaro Okuda
Music Theatre
Jules Orcullo - My Dad Never Saw The Beatles
Lincoln Elliott - Artefact
Lucy O’Brien - Adventurers
Max McKenna - Creating Ivy
Tim Hansen - Murder Horse
Popular Contemporary (2 awards)
Annie Hamilton
Babitha
bella amor
Chitra
Don Glori
Eliza Hull
Grace Woodroofe
Lucy Sugerman
REDD.
Ruby Gill
R&B/Soul
Adrian Dzvuke
Ella Thompson
Rita Satch
Setwun
TANISHA
Screen Composition
Cassie Parke
Carla Dobbie
Darren Lim
Josie Mann
Paul Nicolaou
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander General (2 awards)
Alyssa Skye
Boox Kid
DJ PGZ
Emma Sibosado (Saltwater Kin)
Ethan Waters
J-MILLA
Jarulah Slabb
Keely
KYARNA
Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior
deborahN
Linc Yow Yeh (The Deans of Soul)
Mia Lovelock
Russell Smith
Toni Janke
