Programs
Creative Programs
APRA AMCOS runs a large range of creative programs for members at all stages of their music career. See what's on offer below!
23% Mentorship Program
Each year, 14 emerging and gender diverse Australian APRA AMCOS members receive mentoring with music industry pros, along with $3,000. The program aims to address gender disparity in the music industry by providing professional guidance and funding directly to successful applicants.
APRA AMCOS 101 webinars
A free webinar that runs quarterly. Unpack the APRA AMCOS essentials, including copyright, royalties, member benefits, upcoming opportunities and events, using the Portal and app, and so much more.
APRA Music Awards
The APRA Music Awards celebrate excellence in contemporary music, with 18 categories in total. The Awards honour songwriters and publishers who have achieved artistic excellence and outstanding success in their fields.
Art Music Awards
Presented annually by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre, the Art Music Awards celebrate excellence in Australian composition, performance, education, and presentation across 16 categories.
Covering contemporary classical, jazz, improvised music, experimental music, and sound art, the awards honour the artists and organisations shaping Australia’s vibrant art music landscape.
Art Music Fund
An annual Fund where 17 art music composers (2x NZ, 15x AU) receive $7,500. The Fund supports the creation of innovative, high-quality new works by art music composers in Australia and New Zealand. In partnership with the Australian Music Centre and SOUNZ.
Billions Award
The 1,000,000,000 List award takes into account streaming numbers from all major services: Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. It’s the first award of its kind to recognise a songwriter’s achievement.
The Connect Sessions
An annual, free series of nationwide workshops. A chance to meet and learn from music industry professionals across artist management, publishing, community radio, and online distribution. Includes Q&A panels and casual networking.
EQUALIZE
An annual, free series of workshops taking place nationwide for women and gender diverse music makers. Develop skills in songwriting, music production, and live sound in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Insights
Free webinars on specific industry topics, taking place every few months. Topics are shaped by member feedback and have included publishing agreements, sync licensing, social media marketing, and legal resources, with both internal and guest presenters. RSVP to upcoming webinars here.
The Lighthouse Award
The Lighthouse Award is a $5,000 cash grant to women and gender diverse artist managers.
APRA Professional Development Awards
The awards create serious career-boosting opportunities for songwriters and composers, with 13 winners each taking home $10,000 cash. The recipients are selected annually to fund career-building activities such as workshops, music education courses, composer seminars, and co-writing sessions—locally or internationally.
RESONATE
Multi-day songwriting camps & professional development intensives for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander APRA AMCOS members.
Screen Music Awards
Presented by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Guild of Screen Composers, the annual Screen Music Awards celebrate excellence in screen composition across 13 categories, including film, television, documentaries, video games, and more. Open to screen composers, producers, directors, and publishers, the awards recognise innovation and impact in music for screen. Submissions for 2026 are open now and close 25 June.
SongCraft
SongCraft is the umbrella for APRA AMCOS’s songwriting panels and events, including Anatomy of an Album, Anatomy of a Song, and In Conversation. Delivered in partnership with leading festivals and conferences like BIGSOUND, Splendour in the Grass, and Queenscliff Music Festival, these sessions feature celebrated artists sharing insights into their creative process.
The Regional Sessions
An annual series of one-day workshops that takes place in key regional areas. Includes keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities for emerging and mid-career songwriters.
Affiliated Programs
SongHubs
SongHubs partners Australian and New Zealand songwriters with international music makers to create local and global hits within a few days.The pilot project was held in Sydney in August 2013 and SongHubs songwriting camps have since taken place in New Zealand, Asia, the UK, USA and Europe.
SongMakers
APRA AMCOS Ambassadors and music producers visit secondary schools across the country to write and record new songs with students. Hands-on, challenging and rewarding, the program is designed to fast-track students’ understanding of the opportunities in today’s contemporary music world and set them up for success.
Sounds Australia
Sounds Australia raises the profile of Australian contemporary music in key international markets. As a direct result of Sounds Australia’s programs, the number of Australian artists showcasing at international events grew from 49 per year in 2009 to 263 in 2014, a 437% increase in just six years.
Sounds Australia is a joint initiative of the Australia Council and APRA AMCOS, supported by the Federal Government, ARIA, the PPCA and state government agencies.
Vanda & Young Global Song Comp - in partnership with Noro
The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition celebrates exceptional songwriting while raising funds for Noro, a not-for-profit music therapy organisation. Named after legendary songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young, the competition supports music creators worldwide and highlights the transformative power of music in improving lives. With over $80,000 in cash prizes.
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