APRA AMCOS’ 2026 Professional Development Award is offering 13 emerging musicians the chance to win $10k to support their craft.
Breaking into the music industry is no easy feat. For emerging creatives, not only is developing a craft not an easy task to start, it can be an expensive one to finesse. APRA AMCOS’ Professional Development Award is filling the gap between passion and practice with 13 recipients each awarded $10,000 to develop their art across a range of categories.
If winning a breezy $10k toward the development of your musical practice and career sounds like it should be too good to be true, the winner of the 2024 NATSIMO Youth category of the Professional Development Award – Amelia Thompson AKA THOM – is proof of the game-changing effect the award has on its successful recipients.
2026 Professional Development Award
- 13 recipients each receive $10k to support their development
- Open to emerging songwriters and composers
- Entries are open now until Tuesday September 23 at 5pm AEST
- More info here
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The Gamilaraay composer, vocalist and electronic artist had just completed a degree in music when she applied for the 2024 APRA Professional Development Award.
With only one release out and not really knowing what she wanted to do next, Thompson says that she was “looking for some sort of sign of encouragement or inspiration to help me think about how I could make my music career a bigger part of my life.”
She found that sign – a sign that came sooner (and bigger) than expected. “I felt shocked,” Thompson says about winning the NATSIMO Youth category of the award. “I was so early in my career with only one release and a drive full of demos to show for it. But I was so encouraged and grateful that someone vouched for my work, my plans and my dream, and saw professional potential.”
Thompson scored $10,000 from the award to fuel her artistic growth. The prize helps emerging songwriters and composers sharpen their craft through workshops, courses, seminars, co-writing sessions and other activities at home or abroad. That same year, the artist also received APRA AMCOS’ NATSIMO & SAE University College Production Scholarship. Suffice to say, she’s a hard worker.
Knocking down industry walls
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The Professional Development Award money provided Thompson a vital leg-up in the music industry. “I was able to support myself through another release and further my musical development,” the artist says. “I had the resources to work on my music and be in the room with people who inspired me to have a bigger part in my career, to become more proficient in all steps of the process.”
While the money was incredibly helpful in developing her craft, Thompson also highlights the priceless value of appreciation that the prize awarded her. “It inspired me to start opening every door in front of me,” she says.
“It reminded me that no matter where you are in your career, passion and drive will always get you that extra step along the way. I think in a career where you expect there to be failures and challenges, it reminded me that there are also wins.”
Thompson didn’t just get a foot in the door of the industry – thanks to the Professional Development Award, she kicked the whole wall down. “I was finally recognised as a professional musician publicly by the industry,” she says.
“It made me proud enough to start recognising myself that way. It’s easy to get caught up in comparisons in music and not think you’re ‘professional’ enough to call yourself a musician, but this was a fantastic reminder that I was and I am.”
A reminder of what is possible
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The beauty of the Professional Development Award is that any APRA AMCOS member at a pivotal point in their musical journey can apply. Applicants don’t need to have a discography to their name or a contact book of industry connections – Thompson only had one released song.
The artist herself speaks to the significance of support an award like this can offer emerging artists. “It is important because it continues inspiring developing artists at any age, through any genre, that there is someone in the industry who believes in you and wants to help you achieve bigger and better things because you are capable.
“The music world is huge and it’s easy to get lost in it all but this is a great reminder that it is possible.”
As for budding recipients thinking about throwing their hat in the ring before the award closes on September 23 at 5pm, Thompson offers some final words of advice. “Even by applying, you are showing them that you believe in yourself and you have what it takes to succeed. That in itself is impressive.”
For more information about the APRA AMCOS 2026 Professional Development Awards, head here.
