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Creative Programs

Back to Year in Review

Supporting members

Nurturing the growth and success of the Australian and New Zealand music industries

Through the strategic investment of $5m, the Creative Programs (formerly Cultural Fund and Grants) portfolio delivered over 280 events, seminars, and presentations to over 5,000 attendees. More than 100 distinguished awards, grants and prizes were given to members, and 60+ organisations and programs received vital sponsorship.

280+ events seminars and presentations

5000+ attendees

100+ awards, grants and prizes

60+ organisations and programs sponsored

In July 2022, a new strategic framework was approved by the APRA Board, with four areas of purpose:

  • Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Development
  • Recognition

(The Dust Coda support Guns N' Roses at Hyde Park, June 2023. Photo: supplied)

Engagement

The Connect Sessions Sydney. Photo: Georgia Ginnivan

SongMakers

It is a new era for SongMakers. We farewelled pioneering Project Lead, Tina Broad and welcomed an unprecedented $2m investment in songwriting in schools by the Victorian government and delivered songwriting programs to young people nationwide.

School workshops

From Melbourne to Merimbula, Canberra to Coolum, and Devonport to Adelaide and beyond.

  • 550 students
  • 150 new songs
  • 40 workshops
  • 30 professional songwriter/producer mentors

School holiday workshops (Create NSW and the Office of Regional Youth partnership)

  • 180 young people, ages 14-21
  • 51 new songs
  • 16 workshops
  • 26 professional songwriter/producer mentors
  • 4 NSW regions: South Coast, Far South Coast, Central West, Mid North Coast

Professional Development Day

  • SongMakers hosted its first-ever day for mentors, bringing together 20 from across the country to Sydney.

Canberra College. Mentors: Taka Perry, Chelsea Warner and Kota Banks
Photo: SongMakers

Ballarat High. Mentor: Alice Ivy
Photo: SongMakers

Live Music Office

Live and Local

  • Engagement with five Councils: Ipswich, Barossa, Casey, City of Port Adelaide and Geelong.
  • New funding allocated to an additional two QLD councils, in partnership with QMusic.
  • Griffith University is undertaking research to assess the impact of the Live and Local.

Snapshot: Barossa Live and Local micro-festival

The event took place Saturday 22 April in the township of Tanunda, SA, included in the annual Barossa Vintage Festival.

29 musicians were employed, and five different venues were engaged across a curated program. The festival was seen as an invaluable tool for the council to upskill their team and foster better advocacy of live music and community connection.

The LMO continues to contribute to national regulatory and policy discussions across the country.

NSW

After the success overhauling NSW's regulatory framework in 2020 using the Fortitude Valley model to allow for the creation of special entertainment precincts, the Live Music Office supported the establishment of a new precinct in Enmore, NSW.

Extensive consultations were also carried out with the Brookvale Arts District and Kiama Town Centre. The office also engaged with the night-time economy discussions with Department of Planning and Environment and participated in meetings with the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Music.

ACT

In the ACT, the Live Music Office was involved with the Music ACT State of the Territory Panel, Better Regulation Taskforce, and artsACT & Canberra Innovation Network.

NT

In the Northern Territory, the office took part in the Stage 2 Planning Reforms consultation and collaborated with Music NT for special entertainment precinct briefings.

QLD

In Queensland, there was extensive involvement with councils including Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Redlands, and Moreton Bay for the "Live and Local" program, in addition to engagement with government at BIGSOUND.

SA, VIC, WA

The Live Music Office's engagements also stretched to South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia, working with various councils and entities on Live and Local policies, sound and noise framework guidance, and support for entertainment precincts. They also actively participated in national consultations, including APRA AMCOS’ Club Music Advisory Group and the National Cultural Policy and Music Australia Consultation.

Live and Local Barossa
Photo: Dan Faulkner

Live and Local Barossa.
Photo: Dan Faulkner

High Score: Composition and Sound Art for Games

The High Score event was online and in-person, with over 200 delegates attending during Melbourne International Games week to explore the role of audio in games.

Publisher Pulse

Sessions took place Sydney and Melbourne, bringing together publisher members for a business update and a panel on 'AI and the Music Industry’.

Photo: Georgia Ginnivan

Education & Outreach

Insights

The online Insights series kicked off in July 2022 and covered in-demand topics: copyright, publishing, streaming/online, licensing, aggregators and more for more than 2,000 members who registered and could watch back on demand.

101

Informational sessions take place quarterly to welcome new members and give all members an overview of our membership services and benefits.

The Connect Sessions

Six sessions taking place in capital cities brought together 400 members and local industry pros to network.

NATSIMO guides

NATSIMO created tailored guides to support the education of members as well as develop internal processes to appropriately register, license and distribute royalties on works that contain Indigenous knowledge and Cultural Intellectual Property.

International reps and activities

We’re here to support our members at home and away with reps in Los Angeles, Nashville and London. When you’re overseas, be sure to connect with new reps Sam Cook in LA and Jessica Cantlon in London for UK/Europe, and many of you already know Nashville rep Mark Moffatt.

Los Angeles

  • At the Lemontree Studios mixer, LA members got acquainted with the studio space and its Dolby ATMOS system; Lemontree also supported members showcasing at SXSW.
  • At the very competitive SXSW Songs sessions in Austin, Texas, APRA AMCOS members Andrew Farriss, Beks, Aiden Hogg, Thomston and Foley were selected from a global pool of talent.

UK and Europe

  • New UK and Europe rep Jess Cantlon took advantage of the Northern Hemisphere summer to host member ‘Love-in’ mixer events in London and Berlin.
  • Between Jess and Adam Townsend, who returned to Australia in early 2023 to lead Writer Services, 22 writing sessions were coordinated at the APRA AMCOS writing room at RAK Studios, London.

Nashville

  • We co-hosted the Taste of Australia industry event with Sounds Australia during CMA Fest in June, which featured performances by visiting and resident mainstream country artists and songwriters. The event took place at InDo, the creative space that APRA AMCOS members can access when in town.
  • In collaboration with Speedpitch, four members (Lauren Vale, Carl Wockner, Zoee and Michael Saleta) were selected from EOIs for meetings with high-level industry professionals, including publishers, A&Rs, synch reps and more to pitch their songs. “This is one of the best ways to get a meeting and open doors with Nashville industry people,” said Speedpitch participant Saleta.

APRA AMCOS Ambassador meet up with Maya Jupiter, CXLOE, LA Rep Sam Cook, Louis Schoorl, VASSY Photo: supplied

London Summer Love in

Melanie Dyer onstage at InDo Nashville.
Photo: supplied

Sounds Australia

Sounds Australia’s export initiatives across the course of the year included a presence at major global music events SXSW Austin, The Great Escape (UK) and a return to Central Park’s Summerstage.

  • Supported 232 creatives
  • Presented 16 networking events
  • Managed four trade show stands

NATSIMO

The NATSIMO team broadened its outreach and sponsorship activity in FY23.

The Regional Sessions – Producer Workshops

This year saw a new addition to APRA AMCOS’ Regional Sessions programming, with the NATSIMO curating the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators to develop their skills in a Producer Workshop facilitated by Blake Rhodes (MR RHODES) and Candice Lorrae. Support Act’s Cerisa Benjamin also held sessions for First Nations music creators.

Additionally, Artists joining in keynotes or panels include Jarred Wall (Boox Kid), Joshua Eggington (Flewnt), Bojesse Pigram and Petris Torres.

Candice Lorrae (left) at Regional Sessions WA. Photo: Robak Photography

National Indigenous Music Awards 2022 and Cultural Immersion

The APRA AMCOS/NATSIMO teams participated in cultural immersions with Pudakul Cultural Tours and attended the National Indigenous Music Awards where our APRA Chair Jenny Morris presented the Award for Album of the Year alongside APRA AMCOS Ambassador Shellie Morris. The team also met with NT-based musicians to learn more about the needs of our members living in regional and remote areas.

Aotearoa New Zealand

Over 400 members attended seminars and panel discussions around Aotearoa in FY23. Together with other industry partners (including NZ On Air, NZ Music Commission, IMNZ, Pacific Music Awards Trust, and MMF) we hosted numerous occasions to reach members outside of the main centres. e.g., the ‘Going Local’ series curated by Independent Music NZ.

The team also held the annual “speed dating” evening with other industry partners invited to the office, for newer members (and some more established) to meet and learn about the broader community and career support.

Inclusion

Reo Maori Song Hubs. Photo: Rawhitiroa Photography

Sponsorship initiatives played a large role for the Inclusion pillar, assisting:

  • 21 core organisations
  • 11 co-presenting opportunities
  • 4 industry conferences

SongSmiths

In collaboration with Accessible Arts, Arts Access Victoria and with funding support from the Australia Council for the Arts a songwriting program was developed that is designed by, and for, d/Deaf and disabled songwriters.

4000 Talents Residency

In partnership with 4000 Studios, the program provided three one-month studio residencies for diverse and underrepresented music creators at the Brisbane, Meanjin-based facility. Producers Bonnie Knight, dameeeela and Emeree were selected for the opportunity, which also included marketing and video asset creation.

NZ Sponsorship

In FY23, APRA AMCOS NZ provided grants to 28 recipients. The funding was a combination of core funding, and project funding.

ORO: a year of growth and connection

In the past three years, we’ve seen and heard the repertoire of waiata (Māori songs) grow exponentially. This has been made possible through cross-industry funding and support for the creation, production and promotion of Māori music.

APRA AMCOS Aotearoa has received significant funding from Creative NZ, Te Māngai Pāho, NZ Music Commission, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission), and NZ On Air; as well as resources including support from Universal Music New Zealand, Sony Music New Zealand, mātanga reo (Māori language consultants), songwriters and composers − combining cultural integrity with commercial enterprise.

Our goal is, and has always been, to use the accessibility and power of popular music, to contextualise the language and increase the reach of our unique cultural identity to all New Zealanders, while amplifying the distinctive ‘voice' of Aotearoa to the world.

Key projects for the period July 2022 – June 2023 included:

  • Songwriting workshops – including SongHubs
  • Pokapū - the translation and production of existing songs into Māori
  • Waiata Anthems – support and marketing of waiata (songs)
  • Performance showcases – live and streamed performances

Our small team has received external funding to facilitate songwriting workshops in the past year:

  • Reo Māori SongHubs in September 2022, at Roundhead Studios, Auckland, curated by Bic Runga (music) and Sir Tīmoti Kāretu (reo); with producers Noema Te Hau, Joel Tashkoff, Dan Martin, Nic Manders; artists Reti Hedley, Holly Cameron, Mohi Allen, Te Kuru o te Marama Dewes, Kawiti Waetford, Amy Borovich, Anna Coddington; and mātanga reo (language consultants) Ruth Smith, Hana Mereraiha and Hēmi Kelly.
  • Waiata Anthems songwriting bootcamp in March 2023, at BIG FAN, Auckland with producers Rory Noble, Matt Sadgrove, Devin Abrams; artists curated by local arms of Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music including Stan Walker, Raquel Reid, Dallas Tamaira, Paige Tapara, Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi, Makayla Purcell-Mainini, Hannah Wilson, Muroki Githinji; and mātanga reo Tawaroa Kawana, Pānia Papa and Mātai Smith.
  • Kōkōtea weekend workshop for Māori women songwriters in April 2023, Waiheke Island with Majic Paora, Jordyn Rapana, Marire Brunning-Kouka, Māreikura Nathan, Kaysha Walker, Rebel Reid; mātanga reo Ruth Smith and Hana Mereraiha
  • Reo Māori SongHubs in June 2023, at Massey Universal Music School, Wellington curated by Hāni Totorewawith mātanga reo Te Haumihiata Mason, Hona Black, Paiheretia Aperahama and Tawaroa Kawana; producers Noema Te Hau, Chris Wethley, Tomi Te Taite and Tame Tuari; and artists Allana Goldsmith, Tatana Tuari, Amba Te Ngoungou, Wairere Ropata, Byllie-Jean Zeta, Sasha Te Whare, Wirihana Nikora and Mārire Brunning-Kouka.
  • As we headed into FY24, Kapa Haka SongHubs took place in July 2023 with a weekend songwriting workshop in Gisborne curated by Ruth Smith & Mātai Smith. It comprised a group of 20 kapa haka exponents writing eight new waiata for Te Tairāwhiti to be shared and performed.

Embraced by commercial media and social media platforms during this period, the public profile of our bilingual music industry has evolved dramatically.

Waiata Anthems marketing is led by Myra Hemara, GM of International Artists & Audience Development at Universal Music New Zealand, on a pro bono basis.

In September 2022, 20 waiata were produced through the Pokapū program, and promoted in Waiata Anthems Week.

On the back of the marketing campaign, streaming data from Spotify, Apple and YouTube Music shows there was an average 150% increase in consumption of these works during the period and that usage continued through to the end of the financial year.

Kōkōtea Writing Camp

Waiata Anthems is now a well recognised brand and movement supporting the development of bilingual music in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Waiata releases this year benefited from additional video content and assets produced by Julia Parnell and Parehuia MacKay of Notable Pictures, increasing the profile of more artists and broadening their presence amongst industry and audiences.

150% increase in digital music streaming consumption of Waiata Anthems Week releases

See the list

NZ Music Month - May

The Waiata Anthems marketing campaign in May 2023 for NZ Music Month supported waiata releases from Te Kuru Dewes, Nikau Grace, Corrella, MOHI, Chad Chambers and William Singe.

The team partnered with Te Māngai Pāho, NZ On Air and NZ Music Commission to produce the second Waiata Reo Māori Live showcase at the Tuning Fork in May, featuring Geneva AM, Majic Paora, Alya Jade, Jordyn With A Why (duet with MOHI) and Corrella, and MC’d by Pere Wihongi.

Development

This is the pillar where music creation is fostered – across genres, career levels, geography and scope.

Art Music Fund recipient Nadia Freeman. Photo: @excipiovicis.jpg

Art Music Fund

11 composers received a $7,500 grant in partnership with the Australian Music Centre and SOUNZ.

Digital Futures Initiative

Dr Sam Whiting and Dr Susannah Emery, and composer John Oestmann, together received a Digital Futures Initiative grant of $20,000 to explore the potential of automation for composers and musicians in games music. The initiative was delivered by Creative Australia and APRA AMCOS.

Josh Pyke Partnership

The Josh Pyke Partnership has contributed to the development of numerous songwriters over the last seven years, including past winners Angie McMahon, Alex Lahey, and Gordi. From more than 300 applications, Perth artist/producer Howevever emerged as the 2023 winner of a $7,500 grant and business mentoring from UNIFIED Music Group and Select Music.

Spotlight on NATSIMO

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office continues to go from strength to strength. The Office’s standing in the wider business has grown, as has its relevance in advocating for its 1,961 members.

The self-determined framework of the Office has seen it start from one full and part-time role to a small team of four, all of whom are dedicated to upskilling music creators and the music industry in understanding their music rights and developing better protections for Indigenous Knowledge in published music.

The NATSIMO team of Leah Flanagan (Director), Nathaniel Andrew (Manager, Education & Special Projects), Clover Hersant (Administration Assistant), Tau Talifolau-French (Administration Assistant) and Jacob Ridgeway curated a range of creative opportunities and music business development programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.

NATSIMO, Abbey Road Institute and Studios 301 Production Scholarship

Dhawaral artist and songwriter Aidan Whitehall (Aodhan) was selected as the recipient of a fully paid scholarship for the one-year Abbey Road Advanced Diploma of Music.

The program is an introduction to the recording industry's global network, with the participant learning from experts, including guest lecturers and multi-award-winning professionals, and getting hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and studios.

RESONATE

Signature NATSIMO program, RESONATE continued for its third year, with the songwriting camp taking place in Sydney’s Studio 301. RESONATE brings together top Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriters, music producers and artists from across the country to collaborate on writing and recording new music. Participants included Dallas Woods, Bumpy, GLVES, Tia Gostelow, Sue Ray, Luke Daniel Peacock, Maanyung, Becca Hatch, Nate Weatherall, Nooky, Athol Munro and Moss.

Photo: Jess Gleeson

NATSIMO Screen Composer Intensive

Proud Wiradjuri Ngunawal Song Woman, vocalist and composer Amanda David (Dyagula) was selected for the 2023 NATSIMO Screen Composer Intensive. As the successful applicant, Amanda participated in a three-month, Sydney-based program that explores the key practices of screen composing in production settings. As part of the intensive, she had access to composing space at Church Street Studios and created a soundtrack for a short film with guidance from screen composer mentor Ken Francis, working on the arrangement with Jigsaw Music's Jessica Wells.

Photo: Troy Constable

Moana Songwriting Sessions

Moana Songwriting Sessions was APRA AMCOS NZ’s first initiative produced to help elevate and connect Pasifika songwriters. Curated by producers Brandon Haru, Saia Tu'itahi (SFT), and Frank Eliesa (Frank Keys), the sessions led to ten songs written over three days by six selected songwriters. The selected songwriters, Mark Vanilau, Spdrtwnbby, Lepani, Lehali, Big Al, Samara Alofa, hail from Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch and represent Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Tuvalu. The first Moana SongHubs will take place in 2024.

Samara Alofa
Photo: Geoff Matautia

Rosalie Norton Lehali
Photo Geoff Matautia

Mark Vanilau
Photo: Geoff Matautia

Lepani
Photo: Geoff Matautia

Al Motufoua (Big Al)
Photo: Geoff Matautia

Nia Vavao (Spdrtwnbby)
Photo: Geoff Matautia

NZ Mentorship Program

FY23 saw the first iteration of the Aotearoa Mentorship Program for members.

Twelve members were matched with twelve mentors who provided guidance and support over a three month period.

This group was gender diverse, ethnically diverse and represented different songwriting styles and paths.

More than 150 applications were submitted, which illustrates how in-demand mentoring programs are for music creators. The program proved to be a huge success, with both mentees and mentors benefiting. There will undoubtedly be commercial outcomes, as several mentees have upcoming projects planned for release over the next year or so, which formed part of the application criteria.

NZ Mentorship Michael Sutherland and mentor Tiki Taane (left) in studio. Photo: supplied

Women in Music Mentorships (AUS)

An incredible pool of over 500 applicants made it very difficult to narrow down the 19 songwriters and composers chosen for the initiative, which is now in its fifth year. The initiative aims to support women-identifying and non-binary music creators by providing professional guidance and funding assistance toward their work.

We recognise that representation of women and those identifying as non-binary in our songwriter and composer community remains low at 22.4% across APRA membership; with the percentage of new members joining, slightly over-indexing on that.

We want to see improved representation and are committed to supporting careers through specific creative programs and opportunities and by playing a large role in advocating for the safety and support of women and non-binary individuals in the music community.

Member stats

APRA AMCOS gathers ethnicity data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori members on a voluntary basis for reporting purposes and to focus education and outreach work in a way that meets the needs of these members. This data is indicative of trends in our membership.

APRA members

119,771

3.9% increase

AMCOS members

29,604

9.6% increase

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander APRA members

1,961

8.5% increase

Māori APRA members

3,019

5.3% increase

APRA songwriter members by gender

  • Female 22.9%
  • Male 66.1%
  • Not stated 1.0%

New songwriter members by gender FY23

  • Male 72.6%
  • Female 25.3%
  • Non-binary 1.3%
  • Not stated 0.3%
  • Self-described 0.3%
  • Trans female 0.2%
  • Trans male 0.1%

Anatomy of an Album

From demo to master, Anatomy of an Album unpacks great Australian albums with the songwriters and producers who brought them to life. Five Anatomy of an Album events took place across the country, featuring Ruel (Sydney), Mallrat (Melbourne), Sam Cromack (Brisbane), Noah Dylan and Andy Lawson (Perth) and the Shaolin Afronauts (Adelaide).

SongCraft

The inspiration and ideas behind songs we love were explored at SongCraft events, formerly called Songwriter Speaks. Sessions were held at Gold Sounds, Tamworth at UNIFY’s Off the Road regional tour stops, and a very special edition at Nannup featuring Uncle Peter Salmon, the last fluent speaker of the Thiinma and Warriyangga languages of the Upper Gascoyne region of Western Australia.

ScreenCraft

Screen composers in Australia and New Zealand took members through the process of putting sound to screen stories. Events featured In Conversations from David Long, Jol Mulholland and Dale Cornelius.

321 Sessions

You know the drill: 3 songwriters, 2 hours, 1 song. 321s are a welcoming entry point to try your hand at collaborative songwriting under the guidance of writers and producers including Anna Laverty, Cash Savage, Ian Haug, Melodownz and more.

Nannup Festival 2023 - Uncle Peter Salmon with Jacqui Cook.
Photo: Tenille Elkins

ScreenCraft with Dale Cornelius and Jazz D'Arcy
Photo: APRA AMCOS

321 Airlock Studios with Ian Haug
Photo: APRA AMCOS

321 Sessions Tamworth with Fanny Lumsden
Photo: APRA AMCOS

Regional Sessions WA

The Regional Sessions headed west for its WA debut, made possible through a partnership with the state’s Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Music creators of all ages and experience joined us in Albany, Busselton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha and Broome in March 2023. As part of the initiative, NATSIMO and Support Act partnered with APRA AMCOS to deliver capacity-building workshops to increase knowledge in music industry financial literacy and better the understanding of the cultural value held within songwriters’ intellectual property.

SongHubs

The selective, intensive songwriting collaboration program brings together APRA AMCOS members and renowned international songwriters and producers to create new hits.

SongHubs by the numbers:

8 SongHubs presented in Australia, mainly due to a backlog of pandemic-era commitments

600+ applicants for the Australia camps

3 SongHubs presented in Aotearoa

52.7% of participants identified as women

$4,834,528.70 in songwriter royalties from inception to end of FY23

SongHubs releases FY23

Songs that begin at SongHubs might be released within months of the sessions or further down the track, when the time is right. Here are some of the songs commercially released during 2022-23.

Aotearoa New Zealand

‘Smooth it Over’ – Foley
SongHubs Auckland 2020
Writers: Anton Rundberg (Sony Music Publishing), Ash Wallace, Gabriel Everett, Julia Karlsson (Sony Music Publishing), Sophie Mashlan

‘Don’t Rush’ – Te Kuru Dewes, Anna Coddington, Jordyn With a Why
Reo Māori SongHubs 2022
Writers: Anna Coddington, Daniel Martin, Jordyn Morgan, Te Kuru Dewes

‘Me Pehea Ra’– MOHI
Reo Māori SongHubs 2022
Writers: Amy Boroevich, James Kelly, Mohi Wati Te Rau Allen, Noema Te Hau III

‘Gladiator’ – Calla
Regional SongHubs - ōtepoti 2022
Writers: Calla Knudson-Hollebon, Emily Browning, Keira Wallace, Sophie Scott-Maunder

Australia

‘Replay’ – Kimbra
SongHubs NYC 2019
Writers: Kimbra (Warner Chappell Music Australia) and Elizabeth Maniscalco

‘Boots ‘n All’ – Kaylee Bell
BIGSOUND SongHubs Country
Writers: Emily Hatton, Kaylee Bell, Michael Delorenzis (Mushroom Music), Michael Paynter (Mushroom Music)

‘AdaLINE’ – Jack Gray
SongHubs Valley Girl Invitational
Writers: Claire Howell, Jack Gray (Kobalt Music Publishing obo Select Publishing), Kirsten Tsoltoudis, Louis Schoorl (Universal Music Publishing), Sarah Wolfe

‘I Don’t Miss You (I Just Miss Your Mum)’ – Catty
Future Echoes Sweden 2022
Writers: Catty (David Platz Publishing), Oscar Dawson (Concord Music Publishing ANZ), Ben Lythe

Pride SongHubs curated by Troye Sivan
Photo: Jess Gleeson

SongHubs UK Tāmaki Makaurau, curated by Jordan Rakei
Photo: Shelley Te Haara

AlwaysLive SongHubs. Courtney Barnett (curator), Mo'Ju, Jono Ma
Photo: rcstills

Professional Development Awards

The APRA Professional Development Awards exist to provide support to emerging songwriters and composers. Twelve recipients each received a game-changing $10,000 cash prize to support their development.

New in 2023 was the addition of the NATSIMO PDAs with three categories: Youth, General and Senior.

In FY23, NZ APRA Professional Development Awards of $5,000 were awarded to six members to support their careers. Recipients were Gabriel Everett, William Philipson, Jessica Leov Edwards, Katie Sharp, Joel Tashkof and Tali Jenkinson.

Pictured (top row L-R): Angeline Armstrong, Elizabeth M. Drummond, Georgia Delves, Luna Pan, Andrew Gurruwiwi. Bottom row - Vidya Makan.

Photo: Four Minutes to Midnight (Maria Boyadgis)

Recognition

King Stingray and Colin Hay performing at the APRA Music Awards. Photo: Rod Hunt

Australia

Art Music Awards

The Art Music Awards, co-presented with the Australian Music Centre, took place in Melbourne. Honourees included first-time winner Olivia Davies for Stratus (Work of the Year: Large Ensemble), Sia Ahmad’s Depth Disintegration (Work of the Year: Electroacoustic/Sound Art) and a Luminary Award for Liza Lim.

Screen Music Awards

The Screen Music Awards, presented in conjunction with the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), celebrated winners including Caitlin Yeo for New Gold Mountain (published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Lillipilli IP), Salliana Seven Campbell for Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, and Richard Tognetti, William Barton and Piers Burbrook de Vere for the River soundtrack. Barton is published by Wise Music.

APRA Music Awards

The APRA Music Awards were celebrated with members and industry at Sydney’s International Convention Centre in April 2023.

Flume and co-writer Sarah Aarons took out Peer-Voted Song of the Year with ‘Say Nothing’ (feat. MAY-A), the lead single from Flume’s third studio album Palaces. Both songwriters are multiple APRA Award and Songwriter of the Year winners (Flume in 2017, Sarah in 2019). Flume is published by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Future Classic and Aarons by Sony Music Publishing.

Sampa the Great (published by Kobalt Music Publishing) was named Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors. The Zambian-born artist has flourished into one of Australia's most formidable songwriters, blending art with poetry and cementing her status as a force to be reckoned with globally.

Colin Hay and the late Colleen Ironside were both honoured with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music accolade. Colin’s good mate, Ringo Starr sent a special congratulations that lit up the internet!

Sia Ahmad - Art Music Award winner
Photo: rcstills

William Barton, Piers Burbrook de Vere, Caitlin Yeo at the 2022 APRA Screen Music Awards
Photo: rcstills

Brothers (pictured) picked up the award for Most Performed Hip Hop/Rap Work for 'Let's Trot!' with Joel Fletcher (120 Publishing).
Photo: Tony Mott

Lucy Blomkamp (Sony Music Publishing) is pictured with the Most Performed R&B / Soul Work award, for 'Still Dream' with Miiesha (Sony Music Publishing) and Stephen Collins.
Photo: Tony Mott

New Zealand

APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka

Aotearoa songwriters and composers were celebrated at Spark Arena in Tāmaki Makaurau for New Zealand’s pre-eminent music prize, the 2022 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka. Over 500 guests joined the first in-person celebration since 2019, with many tuning into the live stream online. The night included performances of the Top 5 Silver Scroll finalist songs, the announcement of the Maioha and SOUNZ Contemporary Award winners and tribute performances to 2022 Music Hall of Fame inductees Ngoi Pēwahirangi and Tuini Ngāwai. It all came to life thanks to Musical Directors Rob Ruha and Cilla Ruha.

Winning the 2022 APRA Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Kaiaka were East-Coast Rangatahi group, Ka Hao and Rob Ruha for their viral hit ‘35’. The song was written by Ainsley Tai, Dan Martin, Kaea Hills, Rob Ruha, Te Amorutu Broughton and Whenua Patuwai.

The Pacific music community was celebrated at the 2022 Pacific Music Awards at the Vodafone Event Centre last August. Onehunga hip-hop crew SWIDT took out three awards including the APRA Best Pacific Music Song Award for their hit ‘Kelz Garage’, written by Daniel Latu, Amon McGoram, Isaiah Libeau, Lomez Brown and Samuel Verlinden.

The Jazz Awards took a slightly different format in 2022 with winners being announced and celebrated via National Radio on Radio NZ’s Music 101. On 13 August 2022 the LA-based composer Lauren Ellis was named winner of the APRA Best Jazz Composition for her remarkable work, ‘Papatūānuku’.

Suzy Cato once again delivered a spectacular show for the Children’s Music Awards which returned to the Tuning Fork this May. It was a packed-out family event celebrating the children’s music creators including finalists and winners of all awards and the Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion recipient, Duffy Books in Homes. The APRA Best Children’s Song | Te Korokoro Tūī was awarded to Lavina Williams and Mark Casey for ‘Aotearoa Sun’, performed by incredibly talented 12-year-old vocalist, Jaya.

The 2023 APRA Best Country Music Song was presented at the 2023 Country Music Honours in Gore this June. The award was presented to Country music superstars, Tami Neilson and Delaney Davidson for their beautiful song ‘Beyond the Stars’, published by Concord Music Publishing and recorded by Tami and Willie Nelson. The song was also a Top 5 finalist for the 2022 APRA Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Kaiaka.

2022 APRA Silver Scroll Award winners Ka Hao and Rob Ruha

SWIDT win 2022 APRA Best Pacific Song Award

Watch the Silver Scrolls on Youtube

Jaya Lavina and Mark Casey accepting APRA Best Childrens Music Song Award from Suzy Cato
Photo: APRA AMCOS

The 1,000,000,000 List

Honouring our songwriter and publisher members for songs that achieved one billion streams or more.

Shouse – ‘Love Tonight’
Publisher: ONELOVE
Photo: rcstills

PJ Harding – ‘July’
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing
Photo: Four Minutes to Midnight

Colin Hay – ‘Down Under’
Publisher: Sony Music Publishing
Photo: Georgia Ginnivan

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Award

King Stingray won the $50,000 first place prize for ‘Milkumana’, written by Roy Kellaway and Yirrŋa Gotjiringu Yunupingu, published by Sony Music Publishing.

  • 2,950 entries from 45 countries
  • $147,500 raised for Noro
  • Nearly $1.75 million raised all-time

Member Engagement Survey

This year we worked with survey experts Roy Morgan to complete a comprehensive online study into the satisfaction of member services delivered to writers, composers and publishers.

The purpose of the survey was to understand how we are performing against member expectations, any gaps in service delivery and the opportunities for increased member satisfaction.

The results showed there were three main attributes which accounted for 70% of member’s satisfaction:

  • High standard of service
  • Well respected in the music industry
  • Confidence in receiving maximised and accurate payments

Publisher overall satisfaction

7.2 “Good”

Priority areas for improvement:

  • Online services
  • Speed and efficiency
  • Confidence in maximised and accurate payments
  • Transparency
  • Dealing with questions, complaints and concerns

Writers and composers overall satisfaction

7.8 “Good”

Priority areas for improvement:

  • Transparency in royalty payments and practices
  • Dealing with questions, complaints and concerns
  • Confidence in maximised and accurate payments

Publishers, writers and composers communicated through the survey that APRA AMCOS is well respected in the music industry and value the organisation taking a leading role in championing members locally and globally.

Business and digital services

Your feedback helps us improve and bring new features to our digital services for members. The work continues into FY24, and here’s a look back at what we delivered in the digital and technology space this year.

  • Two-factor authentication for Portal and the app
  • Work registrations and Performance Reports submissions can be shared with collaborators
  • Venue search for Performance Reports
  • Submit evidence direct for Retrospective Performance Reports
  • Work registration notifications
  • Publishers: view agreements
  • Publishers: royalty sources in Earnings Insights

The who, how and where of Performance Reports

14,150 members paid for Performance Reports: a year-on-year increase of 11.3%

Performance reports submitted by app or portal

Portal 79.6%

App 20.4%

Interstate or home state performances

Interstate 19,219 (15.2%)

Home state 107,116 (84.8%)

A lot of you played at these venues! Top venues for Performance Reports submissions