The APRA Professional Development Awards are an annual opportunity for APRA members. With an Award pool of $50,000 cash to support the recipients' development, it is expected that the funds will help them attend workshops, music education courses, composer seminars, co-writing sessions and other relevant development activities.
2025 Timeline
March - applications open
April - applications close
June - applicants notified of outcome
Late June - recipients announced
NB: the awards are not intended to fund tours, recording, publicity, music videos, or ad campaigns. They are intended to support your creative development to become a better songwriter/composer/musician/artist through education, collaboration, and opportunities to be mentored or trained.
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Diaz Grimm, Garling Wu, Gussie Larkin, James Mac, Paloma Schneideman |
| 2023 | Byllie-jean, Damian Golfinopoulos, Fergus Fry, Flo Wilson, Vicki Ormond |
| 2022 | Gabriel Everett, Jessie Leov, Joel Tashkoff, Katie Sharp, Tali Jenkinson, William Philipson |
| 2021 | Emi Pogoni, Jolyon Mulholland, Lisa Crawley, Maree Sheehan, Phodiso Dintwe, Valentine Nixon |
Prior to 2020, the PDAs were awarded based on genre, with each recipient receiving $10,000.
| Year | Film & TV | Classical | Pop Contemporary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Maxwell Stone | Reuben Jellyman | Brooke Singer Delaney Davidson Jamie McDell |
| 2017 | Claire Cowan | Clovis McEvoy | Chelsea Jade |
| 2015 | Hamish Oliver | Sarah Ballard | Mara TK |
| 2013 | Karl Steven | Alex Taylor | Nick Gaffaney |
| 2011 | Stephen Gallagher | Simon Eastwood | Miriam Clancy |
| 2009 | Grayson Gilmour | Samuel Holloway | Jessica Hansell |
| 2007 | - | - | John Chong Nee |
| 2005 | - | Robin Toan | - |
What are the Professional Development Awards for?
The Awards are intended to help emerging songwriters/composers attend songwriter workshops, music education courses, composer seminars, participate in co-writing opportunities and attend other relevant activities either domestically or internationally. Activities that will develop their career in songwriting/composing.
Can I use it to fund our next album?
The Professional Development Awards are not intended to fund recordings, nor are they intended to fund the purchase of gear for recordings – please consider this before applying.
Can I use it to help promote my work – publicity / music video / advertising campaigns?
No. The Awards are intended to develop your skills as a songwriter or composer, not to pay for professional services to promote your work.
Do I apply for the PDA in New Zealand or Australia?
As an APRA AMCOS Member you can apply for either – dependant on where you are a legal resident. As an example: To enter the New Zealand 2025 PDAs, you must be a citizen or a legal resident in New Zealand for a minimum of 2 years on 1 January 2025.
I am in a band – can the band submit an application?
Applications are only available for individual songwriters – although the band’s music can be considered, the individual songwriter’s application responses will be considered alone. Additionally, the funds will be provided to the individual alone.
I'm an artist manager. Can I submit an application on behalf of a songwriter I represent?
You can, but please ensure that you complete all fields with the writer's name and details, not yours. We do also want to hear directly from our writer members about how an Award will support their development, so the responses should come from them.
I've already released an album and/or have a record deal. Can I apply?
You sure can. The Professional Development Awards are intended to help songwriters and composers move into the next phase of their musical careers. Make sure you use your application to tell us how winning will help you do this.
Is my information secure online?
The PDA application form and all submitted materials are held securely for the duration of the judging process on a highly secure server that ensures privacy and security for all APRA AMCOS data. Your application will only be viewed by select APRA AMCOS staff and the Judging Panel.
Why do I need to provide a bio and photo?
This information may be published online and/or in print if your application is shortlisted and/or you are a winner.