2026 APRA Professional Development Awards: Annie Hamilton, Queenie, and JJ4K Named as Finalists
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Emerging pop sensation Annie Hamilton, rock artist Queenie, and hip-hop outfit JJ4K have emerged as top contenders for the 2026 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDAs), a prestigious program offering cash grants across 13 distinct categories.
Facilitated by the music rights management body APRA AMCOS, the PDAs serve as a critical springboard for creators at various stages of their journey. Each recipient is awarded a A$10,000 grant intended to be reinvested into their career trajectory through specialized workshops, international co-writing sessions, or composer seminars.
This year’s impressive roster of 61 songwriters and composers was meticulously curated by a panel of more than 50 industry veterans. The selection highlights the depth and diversity of the current musical landscape.
The PDAs have a storied history of identifying future stars; previous winners include the likes of Gotye, Angie McMahon, Baker Boy, BARKAA, and Miss Kaninna. The 2026 laureates will be officially revealed on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
For more details on the program, visit apraamcos.com.au.
Full List of 2026 APRA Professional Development Award Finalists:
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
