Got big ambitions for your music project, but not sure how to get there? Let us help out with a $10,000 cash boost
With more categories than EVER BEFORE, you’re in with a good shot at this year’s awards
Here we answer your Professional Development Award (PDA) FAQs. Get in quick – applications close 24 Sept
They’re an annual award, given out to emerging composers and songwriters. This year, 13 recipients will each receive a massive $10,000 cash prize to be put towards their musical professional development.
Emerging composers and songwriters who are APRA members can apply. This includes Australian citizens, as well as New Zealand citizens who have been legal Australian residents for a minimum of two consecutive years as at 1 January 2025.
You may only submit one application per year – but many PDA winners in the past have applied over consecutive years.
2023 PDA winner (Screen Composition category) Luna Pan said in her acceptance speech: “I’m pretty sure this is my fifth year applying for it. I almost gave up, but I’m so glad I didn’t. Hard work pays off!”
Short answer is no. The purpose of the Awards is to develop your skills as a songwriter or a composer, not to pay for professional services to promote your work.
We want you to think outside the album cycle, and think of this money as a longer-term investment in what you’re doing.
Are there workshops or conferences you want to attend? Is there a music education course you want to study? Do you want to co-write with specific people, but the lack of financial resources gets in the way? This is your opportunity to dream big and allow yourself to work towards something that you haven’t quite yet been able to achieve. These opportunities can be either locally or abroad.
Andrew Khedoori from Partner Organisation CBAA (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia) agrees: “I’ve been impressed by a variety of artists who are extremely self-motivated and driven to understand the ins-and-outs of the industry and the entry points that may specifically assist their artistic development and careers.
"I’ve read applications from artists wanting to become self-sufficient by learning how to record themselves, get the best mentoring or songwriting sessions as well as get a keen understanding of all the administration involved in music life with management courses. So many artists have found what seems to be exactly the right approach for them to move forward and the right place for them to do it. Taking control of your destiny is key.”
The application form has three parts: personal details, works and responses to questions. Each section is judged individually so please take care when responding.
2023 PDA (NATSIMO Youth) winner Jem Cassar-Daley performs at the 2024 ceremony
Applications are only available for individual songwriters. A band’s music may be considered, but only under the individual songwriter’s application.
Generally speaking, the category you choose should correspond with the genre of the music that you are submitting. You may only choose one category to apply for.
There is a wide range of music genre categories available to choose from:
The exception to the music genre categories are the three NATSIMO (National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office) categories, which are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander composers and songwriters in any genre.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander members can choose EITHER to apply for a genre category (listed above), or for one of the 3x NATSIMO categories (listed below). For example, an ATSI member may choose to apply in the Dance/Electronic category, but that then removes them from eligibility in the NATSIMO category.
2024 PDA winner Warren Mason (NATSIMO Senior) performs at the awards ceremony
Parter Organisations assist in reviewing applications, and create an applicant shortlist to progress to the judging round. Choose a partner organsation that feels most relevant to your project and the types of professional development you are seeking.
However please note – some categories either only have one Partner Organisation to choose from, or do not need a Partner Organisation to be selected:
Learn more about Partner Organisations and see the full list here.
If in doubt, ask those around you to help with your application.
Georgia Delves (Georgia State Line), in her acceptance speech of her PDA 2023 in the Country/ Americana category, said:
“These awards are a group effort, it’s a symbol of so many people believing in me, offering their time and kindness, replying to emails, mentoring me to how best to fill out an application. I’m just really thankful to anyone whose given me their time and care and support. I’m self-managed and it feels really good to be up here.”
Make sure to give yourself enough time to put together a good application– entries close 5pm AEST 24 September.
If you have any further questions, get in touch with us at [email protected]