Nominations Now Open For 2026 Air Awards

This year’s ceremony includes the addition of two new awards in the Dance/Electronic categories.

Image Lucy Partington

Nominations for the 20th edition of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Awards are now open, with the annual ceremony returning to Adelaide’s iconic Town Hall on Thursday 30 July in Australia’s only UNESCO-designated City of Music.

AIR members are invited to nominate eligible artist releases issued between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, with nominations closing at 5:00pm AEDT on Friday 13 March.

Unsure if you’re an AIR member? Click here to see if you qualify for AIR membership.

This year sees the introduction of two new awards in the Dance/Electronic Award categories – Best Independent Dance/Club Single and Best Independent Electronic Single.

In line with these updates, the former Best Independent Dance or Electronica Album or EP category is now called Best Independent Electronic Album or EP.

These changes and new categories reflect Australia’s growing impact on the dance music scene, both locally and on the world stage.

Check out the full list of award categories below:

• Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year – Presented By PPCA

• Best Independent Blues And Roots Album Or EP

• Best Independent Classical Album Or EP

• Best Independent Children’s Album Or EP

• Best Independent Country Album Or EP

• Best Independent Dance/club Single

• Best Independent Electronic Single

• Best Independent Electronic Album Or EP

• Best Independent Hip Hop Album Or EP

• Best Independent Heavy Album Or EP

• Best Independent Label

• Best Independent Jazz Album Or EP

• Best Independent Pop Album Or EP

• Best Independent Punk Album Or EP

• Best Independent Rock Album Or EP

• Best Independent Soul/rnb Album Or EP

• Independent Album Of The Year

• Independent Marketing Team Of The Year

• Independent Mix, Studio Or Mastering Engineer Of The Year

• Independent Music Video Of The Year

• Independent Producer Of The Year

• Independent Publicity Team Of The Year

• Independent Song Of The Year

• Outstanding Achievement Award Sponsored By Merlin

READ MORE: Lily Allen Announces 2026 Australian and New Zealand Tour

The AIR Awards have presented over 250 individual awards since its inception, making it one of the most recognised and respected music award ceremonies in the country.

Some of the biggest and brightest names in the industry have taken home awards in recent years, with Amyl and the Sniffers and Alice Ivy winning three gongs each at last year’s ceremony. Other winners on the night included Royel Otis, Kasey Chambers and Gut Health.

AIR’s Indie-Con Australia Conference and A2IM’s Indie Week Australian Edition Conference will be held from 29 July to 31 July at the Mercury Cinema and Nexus Arts. Early Bird tickets will go on sale later this month. 

Nomination for the 2026 AIR Awards are open now until 5:00pm AEDT Friday 13 March. This year’s event will be held at Adelaide Town Hall on Thursday 30 July. For more information, visit air.org.au.

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