Founded by music executive Milly Petriella OAM, the NUMAs have been created as a youth-led celebration of emerging talent in schools supported by student internships, designed to strengthen the pathways connecting young creators and the contemporary music industry.
The awards will also shine a spotlight on educators, with Music Teacher of the Year awards presented by Music Australia across both primary and secondary categories — recognising the critical role teachers play in shaping the next generation of artists and industry.
The NUMAs arrive at a critical moment for local music, responding to declining access to music education and growing concern for the future creative workforce.
Collapsing university enrolments, severe skills shortages and precarious working conditions along with rising degree costs and economic instability are threatening the sustainability of arts and cultural sectors, risking long-term losses to the country’s cultural identity and economic growth.
Recognising school-aged recording artists, producers, and songwriters, the NUMAs provide a national stage through awards, live performance, mentorship, and paid youth roles behind the scenes.
“NUMAs is not just an awards program,” Petriella says.
“At a time when so much of our young people’s lives are shaped online, we want this to be a real-world space for creativity, connection and live expression.
“Through paid internships, mentorship and hands-on involvement in the event, we’re helping young people build skills, confidence and community, whether they see their future on stage, in the studio or behind the scenes.”
Australian icons Sia and Troye Sivan are supporting the initiative as the first of a group of industry Patrons, with Mahalia Barnes (pictured top, left) announced as Artistic Director alongside DOBBY as First Nations Artistic Director, and Ruby Rodgers and Myka Champion appointed as the first Youth Patrons, helping to shape the program and reflect how music is created and shared today.
Backed by Federal Government initiative Revive Live, early support spans both music and education, with partners including The Song Room, Carriageworks, and Music Australia, with more to be announced.
Open nationally to students aged 6-18 and their music teachers, nominations and intern applications will open in June.
Taking place on Thursday, January 28, 2027, the inaugural NUMAs will be hosted by venue partner Carriageworks in Sydney.
New research from Music Australia, meanwhile, has found that music education is a significant contributor to the nation’s music industry and the national economy.
The latest edition of The Bass Line, which provides comprehensive annual analysis of the economics of the music industry, found Australia’s music industry generated an estimated $10.76 billion in revenue in 2024–25, contributing an estimated $4.28 billion in direct Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Australian economy.
The research highlights the complex pressures facing the sector, amid rising costs, shifting audience behaviour and rapid technological change
Music Australia’s companion report, More Than Notes on a Page: The Music Education Ecosystem in Australia, reveals the music education sector as an economic powerhouse that generates $1.79 billion in revenues and contributes more to GVA than live performance.
The music education sector spans a broad range of learning and professional development delivered across formal, and informal settings, including theory, composition, instrumental and vocal training, conducting, recording and live production, and music business skills.
The report shows music education plays a critical role in the music industry value chain, contributing economic value while also delivering social benefits, contributing to lifelong engagement and future pathways.
