2025 PDAs Finalists Announced

The 2025 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDA) finalists have been announced, with 61 songwriters and composers now in the running for 13 awards, which will be revealed in Sydney on Thursday, February 13th.

This year’s finalists include some of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists, like hip-hop trailblazer BARKAA, R&B star Becca Hatch, country favorite Charlie Collins, indie-pop artist Gabriel Strum (aka Japanese Wallpaper), and electronic producer Harvey Sutherland. You can find the full list of finalists below.

A panel of judges, including journalists, presenters, artists, and producers like Dave Ruby Howe, Brooke McClymont, and Liz Stringer, narrowed down the list. Journalist and judge Sosefina Fuamoli said, “The judging process never gets easier. With each year, the competition increases in strength, and the number of talented applicants who take the time to develop impactful presentations is testament to the powerful vision that drives some of this country’s most exciting artistry – across genre and background.

“I hope the reveal of these finalists encourages other artists who may not have seen themselves or their art represented in this space before, to potentially apply themselves.”

Run by APRA AMCOS, the awards are all about helping songwriters and composers take the next step in their careers. Each winner gets $10,000 to support professional development—whether that’s workshops, music courses, co-writing sessions, or composer seminars.

Previous winners include names like Angie McMahon, Baker Boy, Gotye, and Ngaiire, to name a few.

The winners will be announced on February 13 in Sydney, and you can already check out a playlist featuring this year’s finalists on Spotify and Apple Music.

For more details, head to apraamcos.com.au/professionaldevelopmentawards

This year’s finalists are:

Classical & Experimental

• Corrina Bonshek (Corrina Bonshek & Collaborators)

• Han Yi (Henry) Liang

• Jasmin Wing-Yin Leung

• Josten Myburgh

• Kate Milligan

Country/Americana

• Charlie Collins

• Denvah

• Max Jackson

• Melody Pool

• Raechel Whitchurch

Dance/Electronic

• CORIN

• Elle Shimada

• Harvey Sutherland

• Rromarin

• Skeleten

Hip Hop/Rap

• BARKAA

• Gold Fang

• Hayku Kyah

• J-MILLA

• YAWDOESITALL

Jazz & Improvised Music

• Eduardo Cossio

• Flora Carbo

• Hilary Geddes

• Solune

• Tom Avgenicos

Music Theatre

• Alec Steedman – Silver Tongue

• Cassie Hamilton – A Transgender Woman on the Internet, Crying

• Conor Neylon and Jackson Peele – Kate, Gus & The Other Kids

• Erin McKellar – Wittenoom

• Sheanna Parker Russon – Afterglow

Popular Contemporary (two awards)

• Alias Error

• Ally Hocking Howe

• Claire Taylor

• Gabriel Strum (Japanese Wallpaper)

• KIAN

• Salty

• Sui Zhen

• Romy Vager (RVG)

• Samuel Gaskin

• Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip)

R&B/Soul

• Ashli

• Dylan Atlantis

• James Angus

• Ruby Jackson

• Wild Gloriosa

Screen Composition

• Caleb Jacobs

• Darren Lim

• Josie Mann

• Paul Nicolaou

• Samuel Marks

NATSIMO General

• FLEWNT

• Jolene Lawrence

• Katrina Connelly

• Kee’ahn Bindol

• Rrawun Maymuru

NATSIMO Youth (under 25)

• Becca Hatch

• Kaytlyn Johnson

• Layla Barnett

NATSIMO Senior (over 50)

• Anna Liebzeit

• Brolga

• Marlene Cummins