The 39th annual ARIA Awards nominations have been announced, with a large group of Australian artists and musicians eligible to accept a spiky trophy.
As wide-ranging as ever, with 29 categories across many genres and media, it again showcases the diversity and strength of the national industry for the past year.
Who has received the most ARIA nominations?
At the front of the pack, with a record-breaking eight nominations, is Central Coast producer Ninajirachi. Her first album, I Love My Computer, is competing in high-profile categories such as Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist, Best Independent and Electronic Release.
A triple j Unearthed High finalist, Nina Wilson has been producing music since the age of 12. She describes her sound as “girl EDM”— a cheeky rebranding of the 2010s male-dominated electronic dance music trend.
We praised I Love My Computer as an “instant classic that re-wires nostalgia into a deliriously fun, addictive, innovative rush of rave-ready electro-pop”.
Just behind Ninajirachi is Dom Dolla, with seven nominations. An ARIA favourite, the globally revered DJ and producer is in the running for Best Solo Artist, Best Australian Live Act, Best Video, Song of the Year, Best Engineer and Producer, and is the one to beat for Best Dance/Electronic Release – the category he’s conquered three times before.
Amyl and the Sniffers have six nominations for a powerful return to the ARIAs for the Melbourne pub-punk band. After grabbing two ARIA awards in 2022, the mysterious, electrifying group have ripped around the world with shows at Glastonbury, Coachella, and Reading & Leeds festivals.
With their third album, Cartoon Darkness, out of the way, Amyl and The Sniffers have now equaled their past ARIA nominations tally. This year, they’re nominated to win the Pointy Award for Best Australian Live Act, Best Group, Best Rock Album, Best Video, Best Cover Art, and the holy grail, Album of the Year.
Who else is wishing for ARIAs’ glory?
Following closely behind, each with five nominations, are Hilltop Hoods and Thelma Plum.
The Adelaide hip hop group, formerly trailblazers from the city, are nominated for Best Group, Best Australian Live Act, and Best Hip Hop/Rap Release for Fall From The Light, their ninth album at the top of the charts, in a bid to increase their tally of 10 ARIA awards.
Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Thelma Plum is competing for Best Solo Artist, Album of the Year, and Best Pop Release behind her second album, I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back. She’s only won one ARIA previously: Best Cover Art back in 2019.
It’s a four-way dead heat for those vying to take home four ARIA awards apiece. Vibe-setting electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL (who are passing through on their massive homecoming tour), darling songwriter (and #4 on the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs), Like A Version – vaulting duo Royel Otis, and Folk Bitch Trio, a breakout group characterized by their stunning vocal harmonies.
Facing off in the newly created Best Music Festival category are Dylan Alcott’s inclusive Ability Fest; Victorian NYE event Beyond the Valley; NSW coastal favourites Yours and Owls and divisive Bluesfest, alongside summer tour stalwart Laneway Festival (fresh from announcing a 2026 line-up headed by Chappell Roan).
You Am I, Australian rock and roll legends, are joining Hall of Fame icons such as Yothu Yindi, Kylie Minogue, John Farnham, and last year’s inductee, Missy Higgins.
“We were taken aback, surprised, and humbled to be invited to sit at the parents’ table,” quipped frontman Tim Rogers of the honor.
The ARIA Awards ceremony, to be held at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Gadigal Land, will announce the winners on Wednesday, November 19.
