2027 Professional Development Awards - 2 categories extended
Deadline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander General & Senior Professional Development Award categories extended
$10,000 boost to support professional development
Closes 5pm AEDT Friday 9 October
Good news for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander APRA AMCOS members: there's still time to apply for the $10,000 Professional Development Awards (PDAs)!
Two categories remain open:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander General (2x awards) &
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior (1x awards)
Applications are being accepted for all musical genres.
Each award provides $10,000 to support professional development for songwriters and composers, including opportunities such as workshops, music education, co-writing and other career development activities.
Hear what our 2026 recipients of these categories have to say:
The Professional Development Award has allowed me to invest further in my arts practice and pursue opportunities that would otherwise have been out of reach. I’m incredibly grateful for the support APRA has provided, and I would encourage every artist to apply. It’s a valuable opportunity to invest in your creative development and take meaningful steps forward in your career."
- Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip), Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (General) recipient, 2026
"The APRA PDA is a great opportunity to get financial support to develop and hone your composition skills as a songwriter, whatever your genre and wherever you are from in Australia. The Award allows us as songwriters to upskill ourselves, connect with integral people and supports to help us get to the next stage in our journey. As a proud Torres Strait Islander artist, the APRA PDAhas gifted me with the capacity to be guided by leaders and musicians in my community, so I when I compose in language I am following protocols and respecting those that have come before me."
- deborahN, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (Senior) recipient, 2026
"Winning the Professional Development Award has been a huge boost for my career. Having an opportunity to write with a seasoned songwriter for my debut album and create contemporary songs that have an emphasis on preserving Noongar language is incredibly special. For any First Nations Artists considering applying, I would say go for it! This is a game changer for me."
- Boox Kid, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (General) recipient, 2026
How to apply? It's easy!
1. Choose your category:
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander PDA General - two Awards are given in this category
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander PDA Senior (over 50 years of age)
2. Supply a headshot, your artist biography, three examples of your musical works.
3. Answer 3x questions about your music project:
- Key achievements, experiences, performance and study history, etc
- Your ambitions and goals for the future of your music project
- How winning the APRA PDA will help you achieve your above goals
That's it! Dream big and apply now!
Questions? Get in touch at [email protected].
Entries close 5pm AEDT Friday 9 October
