FAQs

What are the Queensland Music Awards (QMAs)? 

The Queensland Music Awards is an annual opportunity to celebrate Queensland Musicians, Artists, Locations and Music Industry Professionals. The Awards grew from the Q Song award - first run in 2006 with a focus exclusively on song writing, to the extensive genre, experience, and industry awards that they are today. 

Major awards include Lifetime Achievement, Export Achievement, Song of the Year and Album of the Year. 

Past winners include Troy Cassar-Daley, Thelma Plum, Cub Spot, DZ Deathrays, Christine Anu and Amy Shark – to name a few.  

What awards/ can I enter this year?  

Song Excellence Awards 

• Pop 
• Country 
•  Blues / Roots 
• Rock 
• Electronic 
• Heavy 
•  Folk 
•  Contemporary Classical 
• Children's Music 
•   Hip Hop 
• Jazz 
•  Soul / Funk / R'n'B 
• Music for Screen 
•  World Award 

Industry Excellence Award 

• Producer of the Year Award (Producers only) *NEW 

Visual & Media Awards 

• Music Video of the Year Award (Filmmakers only) *UPDATED 

Venue & Festival Awards 

•  Accessible and Inclusive Venue of the Year *UPDATED 
• Regional Venue of the Year 
• Festival of the Year 
• Metro Venue of the Year 

When do applications open and close?  

Self-nominating and People Choice Award categories open: Thursday, 30 October 2025.

Self-nominating categories and People Choice Award categories close: 11:59 pm (AEST), Monday, 1 December 2025. 

Please note, QMusic will NOT extend deadline dates.   

Does my song/video have to have been released by a certain date?  

Songs/videos for all awards must be released between 1st December 2024 and 30th November 2025. 

I do not live in Queensland. Can I enter the Queensland Music Awards?  

To be eligible to enter artists must either: 

• Currently reside in Queensland 

• You are eligible as a resident of Queensland if you spent a minimum of 75% of the year (9 months) living in Queensland at a residential address between 1st December 2024 and 30th November 2025.  

• OR have started the development of their career in Queensland and continue to publicly identify and be promoted as a Queensland artist. 

• In this instance, publicly identifying as a Queensland artist also means not applying for peak body music awards in other states and territories of Australia. 

• In the case of songwriting teams/bands or filmmaking teams, at least 50% of the team must qualify under the above criteria. 

How many songs can I enter?  

Artists may submit a maximum of 8 individual tracks, across a maximum of 8 different categories.   

Producers may submit a maximum of 1 entry in the Producer of the Year category. This category is judged on a body of work whereby applicants can submit up to 3 works in a single entry for award consideration. 

Can I enter the same song in different categories?  

Yes. An individual song may be entered into more than one category, but it will incur an entry fee for each category (with a maximum of eight categories and/or eight songs, totalling eight entries).  

Only one song from each entrant may become a finalist in any one category.  

The same song may not appear as a finalist in multiple genre categories except for Song of the Year.  

What are the categories that I can enter my songs into?  
You can enter your song into any genre category which you believe it fits.  

Please note that some awards cannot be self-nominated and are instead based on demographic and industry data (i.e. the Regional/Remote; Indigenous; and Break Through Artist awards). 

How can I be eligible for the Regional / Remote Award category?  

If applicable, your song/s will be automatically entered into this category as a BONUS entry:  

The Regional/Remote Category is open to all artists and musicians residing in regional and remote Queensland. All finalist regional and remote artists and musicians will automatically be entered into this category.  

Arts Queensland define a regional area as any local government area outside of the Brisbane City Council Region. The following local government areas are eligible to offer the Regional Arts Development Fund and are considered regional and/or remote areas. https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/regional-arts/radf/radf-eligible-councils

How can I be eligible for the Indigenous Artist of the Year award? *UPDATED

The Indigenous Artist of the Year award is open to all artists who indicate that they identify as a Queensland Indigenous Artist (from any First Nations Country relationship) and have self-nominated for any song genre category, Producer of the Year and Video of the year.  

The winner will be decided by a First Nations-led judging panel of industry experts and cultural leaders. 

I have co-written a song with a songwriter who is not based in Queensland. Can I enter this track?  

You may enter a track that is co-written by a songwriter not based in Queensland, on the condition that the songwriting can be attributed to at least 50% to the Queensland songwriter/s OR the artist/band is publicly identified and promoted as a Queensland act and started the development of their career in Queensland.  

In the case of a Video entry, the filmmaker only must be Queensland-based.  

I am a Queensland filmmaker, but I work with interstate artists. Can I still enter my videos?  

Yes, you can. For this category, the filmmaker is the entrant and must be Queensland-based (see above).  

I don’t know which category best suits my song. Can you choose for me?  

No, unfortunately, we can’t help you make that decision, please choose your category carefully.  

I want to enter songs I have written into the Queensland Music Awards but I am not a singer. Can I get someone else to sing/perform them?  

Yes, you can, however, songs must have been released between 1 December 2024 - 30 November 2025.   

Is there an age limit?  

There is no age limit. The entered song must be publicly released. 

Conditions may apply to underage finalists attending the awards night, liquor license and venue permitting.  

Can I enter lyrics only?  

No. We currently do not have a lyric-only category.  

Can I enter instrumental songs?  

Yes, you can enter instrumental songs in all categories. Please type “Instrumental” in the lyrics text box.  

Technical Issues and Troubleshooting  

I cannot log in to my QMusic account when finalising my self-nominating:   

Please try logging in directly on the QMusic website, resetting your password if required and then retry on your application form. If this does not work save the form as a draft and contact us at info@qmusic.com.au.

I am having issues with my application form:   

Please click the Tech Support button below the application form and detail the issue.   

How do I know who owns the rights to my song/s?  

If you are a songwriter and haven’t signed a deal with a music publishing company (publishing) or record label (master) you are the rights holder of your song/s. Therefore, you should enter your own name where indicated on the entry form. Otherwise, you must provide the details of the relevant rights holder (only if you grant streaming permission for your song through the QMA website).  

In the case of video entries, by entering a video hosted on a public platform such as YouTube or Vimeo into the Queensland Music Awards you acknowledge that all rights holder permissions have been granted.  

QMusic takes no responsibility for any copyright violations.  

Who judges the songs?  

A panel of music industry professionals will assess the entries according to categories.  

The decision of the judging panel is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.  

QMusic management committee and staff play no role in song/songwriter nominations or the selection of winners in any category (except for the QMusic Lifetime Achievement Award).  

How are songs/videos judged?  

Each song is judged on: Lyricism and musicality; innovation and creativity; production and commercial potential.  

In the case of video entries, judging is based on originality of concept, technical execution, and visual appeal.  

Can I submit Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated songs/work? 

No. Only original work created by humans are eligible for submission and/or nomination, and award consideration across all categories. Any work created by AI will be ineligible for consideration. 

The QMAs are rooted in celebration and deep appreciation of the rich and diverse artistry, musicianship, and creativity Queensland has to offer. The awards have always and will continue to honour and support the human talent, effort, and achievements of our local industry.  

Upon submission, all applicants will be required to acknowledge the following, 

I/We acknowledge the work submitted in this entry has not been generated by Artificial Intelligence. All work submitted for award consideration has been human created including but not limited to songwriting, vocals, arrangements, melodies. 

How are the highest selling awards determined?  

The highest-selling single and highest-selling album categories are designed to celebrate the commercial success of Queenslanders in Australia and overseas.  

These are the only two categories that non-residents are eligible for, however they are based on sales and therefore nominations are not applicable.  

How do the People’s Choice Awards categories work?  

2025 People’s Choice Award categories include:  Metro and Regional Venue of the Year, and Festival of the Year. 

Venues and Festivals can self-nominate, all eligible venues and festivals will be submitted for voting by the public, which will open in early 2026. Self-nominations for venues and festival align with category nominations: 30 October, 2025 – 01 December, 2025.  

A combination of public votes and expert judge scoring (weighted 60/40, respectively) determines the winner of the People’s Choice Award categories.  

Four finalists per category will be selected with the winners announced at the QMA ceremony.   

How does the Music for Screen Award work?  *UPDATED

Nominations for Music for Screen are eligible for composed works and songs composed specifically for a film or television production (includes short films and film/television productions that are released to online media only e.g.: student film available on YouTube), where the production has had its first public screening, broadcast or release between 1st December 2024 - 30th November 2025. Entrants must provide an mp4 of the screen use which includes the music, along with the music file. 

Queensland Producer of the Year Award - *NEW 

The Producer's award recognises a significant body of work created by a music producer within the past twelve months. This can be in the form of music singles, albums, or recorded works for sync. 

Three works may be submitted for assessment, either related or unrelated to each other. The works must have been released between 1st December 2024 - 30th November 2025 to be eligible.  

A panel of industry judges with experience in this category will determine the winner based on the following criteria: 

• Artistic ambition and execution of vision 

• Quality of overall production 

• Commercial success 

 

The Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award - *NEW 

Breakthrough artist of the year celebrates a Queensland artist or band who have made significant impact through either their recorded or live music career over the past twelve months. Through this impact, it is recognised that the artist or band have experienced (either domestically or internationally) a significant boost in their trajectory relating to established and growing audience base; live touring, high-profile label and/or distribution deals, commercial recording success, and/or significant sync or playlisting. 

The definition of a breakthrough artist will be decided at the discretion of the judging panel. Their decision is final.  

A panel of industry will select The Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award in accordance with the below criteria:  

• Significant impact in the past twelve months via touring, recording, label or distro deals, sync or playlisting 

• Artistic and commercial appeal of artist  

• Future potential for success  

Why do I have to pay an entry fee? 

QMusic is a not-for-profit organisation and we rely on sponsorship and entry fees to allow us to run the Queensland Music Awards and grow it each year to give recognition to our best songwriters and artists. Your entry fee contributes to the whole process. 

How much does it cost to enter the Queensland Music Awards? 

	Each Song	Each Video
QMusic Member	$20	$20
Non-Member	$30	$30

The above prices include GST. 

How can I join QMusic so that I pay less to enter the Queensland Music Awards? 

It's easy. You can join online through the QMusic website. 

When is the closing date for entries?  

The deadline for self-nominations is 11:59pm (AEST), Monday, 01 December, 2025.  

PLEASE NOTE: QMusic will NOT be extending the deadline in 2025.  

Can I get feedback on my song/s?  

QMusic is currently not able to offer a feedback service for the Queensland Music Awards.  

How many finalists will be chosen in each self-nominated category?  

There are four finalists in each self-nominated category.  

How do I get considered for Album of the Year?  

Full-length albums released between 01 December, 2024 and 30 November, 2025 are eligible for this category.   

Nominations for this category are collated by submissions by a QMAs panel of 100+ judges, album release lists (collated by established industry bodies) and additional nominations industry professionals. Song award applicants will also have the opportunity to self-nominate their album (release date permitting) within their song application. 

An expert panel of judges will determine the winner of the Album of the Year category. Judges score based on production, songwriting, and commercial success.   

To be eligible to be nominated for Album of the Year artists must either: 

• Currently reside in Queensland 

• You are eligible as a resident of Queensland if you spent a minimum of 75% of the year (9 months) living in Queensland at a residential address between 1st December 2024 and 30th November 2025.  

• OR have started the development of their career in Queensland and continue to publicly identify and be promoted as a Queensland artist. 

• In this instance, publicly identifying as a Queensland artist also means not applying for peak body music awards in other states and territories of Australia. 

How do I get considered for Song of the Year?  

Only the winners of the genre categories are eligible for Song of the Year. A panel of music industry professionals will decide a winner, using the same criteria used to judge the genre categories.  

When are the finalists notified?  

All finalists will be notified via email in February 2026.  

When will the finalists be publicly announced?  

Finalists will be announced in late February 2026 on the Queensland Music Awards website.  

When are the winners announced?  

Most of the winners will be announced at the 2026 Queensland Music Awards. Due to venue restrictions, winners of some of the categories may be announced at a pre-award ceremony.  

How can I attend the Queensland Music Awards?  

Tickets will be available for purchase through the QMAs website in mid-late February 2026.  

How many tickets to the Queensland Music Awards can I get if my song is a finalist in the top four of its category?  

Finalists will receive 2 x complimentary tickets per band/artist to the awards night. Please note the number of complimentary tickets per band/artist will be capped at two even if they are finalists in more than one category.  

Queensland Music Awards reserves the right to withdraw this offer, pending external circumstances.  

What do I get if I win?  

A package of promotional activities that will be undertaken on behalf of the winning artists which will include, but not be limited to:  

• Presentation of an Award trophy at the annual Queensland Music Awards  

• Profiling on the Queensland Music Awards website and playlists  

• National media release inclusion and interview opportunities  

Can I edit my submission once I've already completed it? 

Yes! Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email. This email has an 'Update Submission' button where you will be able to access your application and update any details before the closing date, Monday, 01 December, 11.59pm.  

I have another question. Who do I contact?   

Please contact QMusic at (07) 3257 0013 or at info@qmusic.com.au and a member of staff will be in contact with you as soon as possible.