2025 APRA Song of the Year top 20 shortlist announced

Features first-time appearances from BARKAA, Dom Dolla, Middle Kids, Nooky and Queenie

Joining previous nominees Amy Shark, Amyl and the Sniffers, Bernard Fanning, King Stingray and Missy Higgins

The winner will be announced at this year’s APRA Music Awards on Wednesday 30 April in Melbourne

The 2025 Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year shortlist has been announced, featuring the top 20 songs nominated by thousands of APRA members ahead of this year’s APRA Music Awards on Wednesday 30 April in Melbourne.

The shortlist is an eclectic mix of songs spanning genres from alternative to country, electronic, hip hop and rock, including hits like “Beautiful Eyes” by Amy Shark, “Houdini” by Dua Lipa (written with GRAMMY Award winner Kevin Parker) and first-time finalist Dom Dolla’s “Saving Up”.

Also making their debut this year are songwriters Chloe Quayle (BARKAA), Corey Webster (Nooky), Eloise Thetford (Queenie), Grace Cummings, Middle Kids’ Hannah Cameron and Timothy Fitzmaurice, Jacob Turier, Leesa Gentz and Julia Parker (Hussy Hicks), Madeline Crabtree (Muki), Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell (Royel Otis), and alt rock band TISM.

They join previous Song of the Year nominees like Amyl and the Sniffers, Angie McMahon, Bernard Fanning, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kasey Chambers, King Stingray, Missy Higgins, Nick Cave, Paul Dempsey and Troye Sivan.

The APRA Music Awards celebrate excellence in contemporary music, honouring songwriters and publishers who have achieved artistic excellence and outstanding success in their fields.

The final five nominees for Peer-Voted Song of the Year and all genre categories for the 2025 APRA Music Awards will be revealed on Wednesday 2 April, with winners announced at the awards ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday 30 April.

Click here to see the shortlist for the Peer-voted APRA Song of the Year.

2025 APRA Music Awards
Wednesday 30 April
Melbourne Town Hall
Hosts and Musical Director to be announced