The 20th edition of the annual AIR Awards, celebrating and championing Australia's rich and vibrant independent music scene, returns in 2026 with nominations now open.
With a history of awarding over 250 individual awards, often being the musician-artist's first industry recognition, AIR Awards alumni is a who's who of Australia.
Past winners include Amyl and the Sniffers, Genesis Owusu, Courtney Barnett, Fanny Lumsden, Flume, Sampa the Great, The Amity Affliction, Kasey Chambers, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Confidence Man, G Flip, A.B. Original, King Stingray, Violent Soho, and many, many more.
The 2026 awards ceremony returns of Adelaide, Australia's only UNESCO designated City of Music, at the iconic Adelaide Town Hall on 30 July; a fitting backdrop for this milestone celebration.
AIR members are invited to nominate eligible artist releases issued between 1 January, 2025, and 31 December, 2025. Nominations close at 5pm AEDT on 13 March, 2026.
Last year, Alice Ivy and Amyl and the Sniffers led the way, each winning three awards, while Miss Kaninna scored two wins including Breakthrough Artist Of The Year. Read the full list of winners.
This year also sees the Awards expand with dance and electronic music highlighted with two new 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 titled Best Independent Electronic Album or EP.
The AIR Awards will be staged in conjunction with AIR's Indie-Con Australia Conference and A2IM's Indie Week Australian Edition Conference, which runs 29-31 July at Mercury Cinema and Nexus Arts. Early bird tickets will go on sale later this month.
2026 AIR Awards take place at Adelaide Town Hall on 30 July.
2026 AIR Awards Categories
Breakthrough Independent Artist Of The Year
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/R&b 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
