Australia Launches Next Up Music Awards to Revive Youth Music Education

Australia is turning the page on a quiet decline in music classrooms. The Next Up Music Awards (NUMAs) have just opened nominations for every youth aged 6‑18 and music teachers across the country, with the first ceremony slated for 28 January 2027 at Sydney’s Carriageworks venue.

The initiative was born from a stark reality: teacher training hours have fallen by half since 2009, and three‑quarters of schools lack a specialist music teacher. With 1.7 million children left without quality music education, the NUMAs aim to close that gap by giving young artists a national stage, honouring the educators who spark their talent, and opening paid internship doors for 20 youths aged 15‑18.

A total of thirteen categories will be contested, from Artist of the Year and Song of the Year to Producer/Engineer of the Year, School of the Year, and Music Teacher of the Year for both primary and secondary levels. The awards are complemented by a Youth Intern Program that hands out paid roles in the music industry, creative sectors, and related internships.

The project has attracted a star‑studded roster of patrons. Australian icons Sia and Troye Sivan are among the first to lend their support, joined by Ruel, Marcia Hines, and Kirk Pengilly. Mahalia Barnes serves as Artistic Director, while DOBBY leads the First Nations Artistic Director role. Ruby Rodgers heads a national cohort of Youth Patrons who help shape the program to reflect contemporary music creation and sharing.

Founder and CEO Milly Petriella OAM explains that the NUMAs address the education gap in three ways: by giving young artists a national stage, by recognising the teachers who enable that work through the Music Teacher of the Year awards, and by creating industry pathways through the paid internship program. She notes that many young artists currently navigate the industry alone, relying on luck or personal connections.

The awards also aim to elevate the status of music teachers. Petriella stresses that teachers are often the first to spot a student’s potential, offering confidence and space for creative work. By placing teachers on the same stage as young artists, the program signals that music education is central to student wellbeing and future pathways.

Nominations are open to students, teachers, schools and communities across Australia. The application process is free, with a deadline of 15 September. Petriella encourages anyone involved in music creation or education to submit a nomination, emphasizing that the program is built for those who record songs, write lyrics, produce beats, rehearse with friends or support music in schools.

Carriageworks, a multi‑arts venue that has hosted a range of contemporary art and performance events, will host the launch event and the first awards ceremony. The timing marks the beginning of a national effort to reinvigorate music education and industry participation.

As the nomination deadline approaches, the NUMAs represent a concrete step toward addressing the shortage of specialist music teachers and providing clear, paid pathways for young musicians. The initiative’s blend of recognition, support, and industry access positions it as a significant development for Australia’s music education landscape.