Kylie Minogue and Royel Otis Among 2025 ARIA Award Nominees

Kylie Minogue singing into a mic
Supplied

Kylie Minogue and Royel Otis are among the nominees for the 2025 ARIA Awards, celebrating a new mix of legends and rising stars.

In partnership with Spotify, the 39th ARIA Awards will celebrate the artists blurring genres, breaking records, and commanding international stages across 29 categories. The winners will be crowned at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025. 

With a record eight nominations, electronic artist Ninajirachi leads the pack. Her debut album “I Love My Computer” has positioned her at the forefront of a new wave of Australian talent redefining pop and club music. Rolling Stone AU/NZ named her in their Future of Music 2025 list earlier this year. 

Global export and Rolling Stone AU/NZ cover star, and one of Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s 50 Greatest Australian Electronic Acts of All Time, Dom Dolla, has claimed seven nominations. He is followed by fellow former cover stars Amyl and the Sniffers with six. Hilltop Hoods have received five, for their ninth studio album “Fall From the Light,” as has Thelma Plum. 

RÜFÜS DU SOL have claimed four, after the release of their fifth album “Inhale / Exhale.” Joining them with four nominations are Folk Bitch Trio, Missy Higgins and Royel Otis. Kylie Minogue has secured three nominations. Meanwhile, Australian rock band You Am I will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Check out the full list of nominees below. 

For the first time, the ARIA Awards will recognise Australian festivals, with the inaugural Best Music Festival award. Nominees include Ability Fest, Beyond the Valley, Bluesfest Byron Bay, Laneway Festival, and Yours and Owls. 

Love Film & TV?

Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.

Also new in 2025, ARIA’s public voted awards will be integrated into Spotify, enabling fans to cast daily votes directly in the app. Public voting will run from September 25th to November 10th.

“This year’s nominees are living proof that Australian artists are shaping the global cultural narrative in real time. There’s no longer a singular image of what success looks like for an artist, and the stories set to be celebrated in November are absolute proof of that,” Annabelle Herd, ARIA CEO, said. 

“Be it a career-shifting sync, global collaboration, sold-out headline slot or an unforgettable live tour across the world, the achievements of our 2025 nominees show just how far our music has travelled this year, and how many different ways Australian artists are making their mark.”

2025 ARIA Awards Nominations

Album of the Year
Amyl and The Sniffers – “Cartoon Darkness” [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
Missy Higgins – “The Second Act” [Eleven Music / EMI Music Australia]
Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]
RÜFÜS DU SOL – “Inhale / Exhale” [Rose Avenue Records / Warner Music Australasia]
Thelma Plum – “I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back” [Warner Music Australasia]

Best Solo Artist
BARKAA – “Big Tidda” [Big Apples Music / Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
Dom Dolla – “DREAMIN’” [Good Fortune Records]
Kylie Minogue – “Tension II” [Mushroom Music]
Mallrat – “Light Hit My Face Like A Straight Right” [Dew Process / Universal Music Australia]
Missy Higgins – “The Second Act” [Eleven Music / EMI Music Australia]
Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]
Paul Kelly – “Fever Longing Still” [EMI Music Australia]
The Kid LAROI – “How Does It Feel?” [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
Thelma Plum – “I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back” [Warner Music Australasia]
Young Franco – “it’s Franky baby!” [Neon Records]

Best Group
Amyl and The Sniffers – “Cartoon Darkness” [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
Folk Bitch Trio – “Now Would Be A Good Time” [Jagjaguwar]
Hilltop Hoods – “Fall From The Light” [Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
Royel Otis – “hickey” [Ourness / Capitol Records]
RÜFÜS DU SOL – “Inhale / Exhale” [Rose Avenue Records / Warner Music Australasia]

Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist presented by Spotify
Folk Bitch Trio – “Now Would Be A Good Time” [Jagjaguwar]
Gut Health – “Stiletto” [AWAL Recordings]
Mia Wray – “hi, it’s nice to meet me” [Mushroom Music]
Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]
Young Franco – “it’s Franky baby!” [Neon Records]

Best Pop Release
G Flip – “Disco Cowgirl” [AWAL Recordings]
Kita Alexander – “Press Pause” [Warner Music Australasia]
Kylie Minogue – “Tension II” [Mushroom Music]
Mallrat – “Light Hit My Face Like A Straight Right” [Dew Process / Universal Music Australia]
Thelma Plum – “I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back” [Warner Music Australasia]

Best Dance / Electronic Release
Confidence Man – “3AM (LA LA LA)” [I OH YOU / Mushroom Music]
Dom Dolla – “DREAMIN'” [Good Fortune Records]
FISHER – “Stay” [etcetc Music Pty Ltd]
Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]
Sonny Fodera, D.O.D & Jazzy – “Somedays” [Solotoka / ADA]

Best Hip Hop / Rap Release
BARKAA – “Big Tidda” [Big Apples Music / Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
Hilltop Hoods – “Fall From The Light” [Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
Miss Kaninna – “Kaninna EP” [Soul Has No Tempo]
ONEFOUR – “Look At Me Now” [ONEFOUR Records / The Orchard]
The Kid LAROI – “Baby I’m Back” [Columbia Records / Sony Music]

Best Soul / R&B Release
BOY SODA – “Lil Obsession” [Warner Music Australasia]
JACOTÉNE – “Why’d You Do That?” [Epic Records / Sony Music]
Jerome Farah – “CHLORINE” [Sony Music]
Larissa Lambert – “Cardio” [New Levels / Virgin Music Group]
PANIA – “Pity Party” [Warner Music Australasia / Say Less]

Best Independent Release presented by PPCA
Ball Park Music – “Like Love” [Prawn Records / Inertia Music]
Confidence Man – “3AM (LA LA LA)” [I OH YOU / Mushroom Music]
Folk Bitch Trio – “Now Would Be A Good Time” [Jagjaguwar]
Miss Kaninna – “Kaninna EP” [Soul Has No Tempo]
Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]

Best Rock Album presented by Tooheys
Amyl and The Sniffers – “Cartoon Darkness” [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
Ball Park Music – “Like Love” [Prawn Records / Inertia Music]
King Stingray – “For The Dreams” [Civilians / The Orchard]
Royel Otis – “hickey” [Ourness / Capitol Records]
Spacey Jane – “If That Makes Sense” [AWAL Recordings]

Best Adult Contemporary Album
Folk Bitch Trio – “Now Would Be A Good Time” [Jagjaguwar]
Gordi – “Like Plasticine” [Mushroom Music]
Meg Washington – “GEM” [OriGiN Distribution / ADA]
Missy Higgins – “The Second Act” [Eleven Music / EMI Music Australia]
Paul Kelly – “Fever Longing Still” [EMI Music Australia]

Best Country Album
Dylan Wright – “Half a World Away” [Sony Music]
Imogen Clark – “Choking on Fuel” [Potts Entertainment / MGM]
Kasey Chambers – “Backbone” [Essence Music Group / MGM]
Keith Urban – “High” [CAPITOL – NASHVILLE / EMI Music Australia]
Taylor Moss – “Firecracker” [Taylor Moss / Ditto Music]

Best Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Album
Civic – “Chrome Dipped” [ATO Records / Inertia Music]
Press Club – “To All The Ones I Love” [Inertia Music]
RedHook – “Mutation” [RedHook Records]
The Amity Affliction – “Let The Ocean Take Me Down” (Redux) [GYROstream]
Thornhill – “Bodies” [UNFD / Community Music]

Best Blues & Roots Album
Dope Lemon – “Golden Wolf” [BMG]
Mama Kin Spender – “Promises” [Mama Kin Spender / MGM]
Sons Of The East – “SONS” [Sons Of The East Music / MGM]
Tash Sultana – “Return to the Roots” [Lonely Lands Records via Sony Music]
The Teskey Brothers – “Live At The Hammersmith Apollo” [Mushroom Music]

Best Children’s Album
Emma Memma – “Dance Island Party” [GYROstream]
Justine Clarke – “Mimi’s symphony” [ABC Music / The Orchard]
Teeny Tiny Stevies – “Brain Fart” [Love Your Records / Xelon]
The Vegetable Plot – “Season Three” [ABC Music / The Orchard]
The Wiggles – “Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!” [ABC Music / The Orchard]

Best Music Festival presented by Tixel
Ability Fest – Dylan Alcott Foundation + Untitled Group
Beyond The Valley – Untitled Group / Beyond The Valley Music Festival
Bluesfest Byron Bay – Bluesfest Byron Bay
Laneway Festival – St Jerome’s Laneway / Laneway Festival
Yours and Owls Festival – Yours and Owls

PUBLIC VOTED AWARDS

Best Video
“Break My Love” – RÜFÜS DU SOL, Alexander George (Katzki) [Rose Avenue Records / Warner Music Australasia]
“Craters” – Missy Higgins, Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore [Eleven Music / EMI Music Australia]
“Lordy Lordy” – Emily Wurramara, Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore [ABC Music / The Orchard]
“All the Noise” – Spacey Jane, Dan Lesser [AWAL Recordings]
“car “– Royel Otis, Jamieson Kerr [Ourness / Capitol Records]
“Big Dreams” – Amyl and The Sniffers, John Stewart [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
“DREAMIN’” – Dom Dolla, Kyle Caulfield & Shevin Dissanayake [Good Fortune Records]
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Hilltop Hoods, Roman Anastasios and Jordan Ruyi Blanch [Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
“Dancing2” – Keli Holiday, Ryan Sauer [Keli Holiday / GYROstream]
“WASSA” – Vv Pete, UTILITY, Formation Boyz, UTILITY [Trackwork]

Best Australian Live Act presented by Destination NSW
Amyl and The Sniffers – ‘Cartoon Darkness World Tour’
Ball Park Music – ‘Like Love Tour’
BARKAA – ‘BIG TIDDA TOUR’ [Jackson Street & Bad Apples Music]
Confidence Man – ‘3AM (LA LA LA) Tour’ [I OH YOU]
Dom Dolla – ‘Dom Dolla Australia 2024’ [Untitled Group]
Hilltop Hoods – ‘Hilltop Hoods 2025’
Kylie Minogue – ‘Tension Tour 2025’
Miss Kaninna – ‘Dawg In Me Tour’ [Astral People]
SPEED – ‘SPEED AUSTRALIA TOUR ‘25’
Troye Sivan – ‘Something To Give Each Other Tour’ [Live Nation]

Song of the Year
Cyril, Maryjo – “Still Into You” [Warner Music Australasia / Spinnin Records]
Dean Lewis – “With You” [Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]
Dom Dolla Feat. Daya – “DREAMIN'” [Good Fortune Records]
FISHER – “Stay” [etcetc Music Pty Ltd]
Gotye, FISHER, Chris Lake Feat. Kimbra, Sante Sansone – “Somebody” [Eleven: A Music Company / EMI Music Australia]
OneFour, Nemzzz – “Spinnin” [ONEFOUR RECORDS / THE ORCHARD]
Royel Otis – “Linger (SiriusXM Session)” [Ourness]
Sonny Fodera, D.O.D & Jazzy – “Somedays” [Solotoko / ADA]
The Kid LAROI – “Girls” [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
Tobiahs – “Angel of Mine” [Mushroom Music]

Most Popular International Artist
Alex Warren – “You’ll Be Alright Kid” [Atlantic Records / Warner Music Australasia]
Calvin Harris – “96 Months” [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
Gracie Abrams – “The Secret Of Us” [Interscope / Universal Music Australia]
Kendrick Lamar – “GNX” [Interscope / Universal Music Australia]
Noah Kahan – “Stick Season” [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]
Post Malone – “F-1Trillion” [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]
Sabrina Carpenter – “Short n’ Sweet” [Island Records USA / Universal Music Australia]
Tate McRae – “So Close To What” [RCA Records / Universal Music Australia]
Taylor Swift – [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]
Tyler, The Creator – “Chromakopia” [Columbia Records / Sony Music]

ARTISAN AWARDS

Best Cover Art
Giulia McGauran for The Cat Empire – “Bird in Paradise” [BMG]
John Stewart for Amyl and The Sniffers – “Cartoon Darkness” [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin Music Group]
Kira Puru, Em Jensen for Thelma Plum – “I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back” [Waner Music Australasia]
Nina Wilson, John You, Aria Zarzycki for Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]
Sarah McCloskey for Hilltop Hoods – “Fall From The Light” [Island Records Australia / Universal Music Australia]

Engineer – Best Engineered Release
Alice Ivy for Alice Ivy – “Do What Makes You Happy” [Kewpie Mayo Records / Independent]
Dom Dolla for Dom Dolla – “DREAMIN'” [Good Fortune Records]
Eric J Dubowsky for Emma Louise & Flume – “DUMB” [Three Six Zero Recordings / ADA]
Kevin Parker for Tame Impala – “End of Summer” [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
Thomas Purcell p/k/a Wave Racer for Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]

Producer – Best Produced Release
Alex Burnett for Thelma Plum – “I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back” [Waner Music Australasia]
Dom Dolla for Dom Dolla – “DREAMIN'” [Good Fortune Records]
Kevin Parker for Tame Impala – “End of Summer” [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
Nina Wilson p/k/a Ninajirachi for Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer” [NLV Records]
RÜFÜS DU SOL for RÜFÜS DU SOL – “Inhale / Exhale” [Rose Avenue Records / Warner Music Australasia]

FINE ARTS AWARDS

Best Classical Album
Andrea Lam – “Piano Diary” [ABC Classic / The Orchard]
Australian Chamber Orchestra / Richard Tognetti – “Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings and Andante Cantabile / Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony in C minor” [ABC Classic / The Orchard]
Nat Bartsch – “Forever Changed” [Amica Records]
Simone Young & Sydney Symphony Orchestra – “Mahler: Symphony No.2; Barton: Of The Earth” [Deutsche Grammophon Australia / Universal Music]
Sophie Hutchings – “Become The Sky” [Universal Music Australia / Mercury KX]

Best Jazz Album
Evans Robson Quartet – “Zenith” [Lamplight Records]
Lachlan McKenzie – “Departures” [ABC Jazz / The Orchard]
Lucy Clifford – “Between Spaces of Knowing” [ABC Jazz / The Orchard]
TL; DR & Peter Knight – “Too Long; Didn’t Read” [Earshift Music / The Planet Company-MGM]
Touch Sensitive – “In Paradise” [Future Classic]

Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album
Australian Chamber Orchestra – “Memoir of a Snail” (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [ABC Classic / The Orchard]
François Tétaz – “The Surfer” [Impressed Recordings / Rubber Music Pty Ltd]
Michael Cassel Group – “Michael Cassel Group Presents A (Very) Musical Christmas” [The Orchard]
Various Artists – “How To Make Gravy” [Origin Recordings]
Vidya Makan – “The Lucky Country “(Original Cast Album) [ORiGiN Distribution / ADA]

Best World Music Album
Electric Fields, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – “Live In Concert” [ABC Music / The Orchard]
Gurrumul – “Banbirrngu – The Orchestral Sessions” [Decca Australia & Skinnyfish / UMA]
Joseph Tawadros – “The Forgotten Path To Humanity” [Independent / The Planet Company]
Tenzin Choegyal – “Snow Flower” [Warner Music Australasia / Rainbow Valley Records]
The Cat Empire – “Bird in Paradise” [BMG]

OUR SOUNDTRACK OUR ADS

Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement
“Fox League 2025: Our Greats” – Fox Sports Australia, 3%
“Menulog: What’s Good in Your Hood” – Thinkerbell, Bliss n Eso
“Paramount+ Australia: Ballad of the GOATS” – Paramount+ Australia, Briggs
“Tooheys: I Feel Like a Tooheys” – Thinkerbell, Dune Rats
“Tourism & Events Queensland: That Holiday Feeling” – Publicis Worldwide, Kita Alexander