Electronic dance music reigns at the 2025 ARIA Awards, to be presented Nov. 19 in Sydney, as Ninajirachi and Dom Dolla dominate the nominations.
With a record eight nods, Ninajirachi leads the way. Dom Dolla is close behind with seven.
Ninajirachi, the 26-year-old songwriter, producer, DJ and artist (real name: Nina Wilson) collects an album of the year nod for her debut I Love My Computer (via NLV Records), and is shortlisted for best solo artist, the Michael Gudinski breakthrough artist, best independent release, best dance/electronic release and more.
“Thank u so much to my friends and fans who are doing it with me and have been around for a really long time,” she says in a message, following the announcement early Thursday of the ARIAs nominations. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me lol.”
When Ninajirachi dropped her album in August, the rising EDM star was named Billboard Dance “Rookie of the Month”. “Much like its maker,” Billboard wrote at the time, “the 12-track project is smart, stylish and ebullient, with a bit of edge and a lot of observations on living and loving in our computer world.”
NLV Records is the label founded by DJ Nina Las Vegas, and which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. “I’ve always believed in Ninajirachi, and I’m so grateful to be part of this journey with her,” she comments. “For me, it was never a question of if, but when. Championing forward-thinking music has always been my mission, just as working alongside powerful women and incredible musicians has been. Nina is all of that and more, and she truly deserves this history-making moment.”
Ninajirachi has performed at Lollapalooza, EDC, Laneway Festival, and earlier this month kicked off her biggest headline run of the U.S.
Meanwhile, Dom Dolla continues his smoking-hot form with seven ARIA nominations, including best solo artist and best dance/electronic release, a category he has won the previous two years. His ARIAs haul comes after Dom (real name: Dominic Matheson) sold out multiple headline shows at Madison Square Garden, completed residencies in Ibiza and Las Vegas, played several of the biggest festivals in the world (again), and contributed to the soundtrack for F1: The Movie. He’ll finish the year setting another benchmark, by playing Sydney’s Accor Stadium, becoming the first homegrown DJ to do so.
Also setting the music world on fire this year is Amyl and The Sniffers, who are hot on the trail with six nominations, including chances for best group and album of the year, for their third studio effort, Cartoon Darkness. Amy Taylor and Co. are flying right now. Just this year, they won the coveted song of the year at the APRA Music Awards, landed a Brit Award nomination for best international group, and slayed at Coachella and Glastonbury.
Enjoying multiple ARIA nomination are Hilltop Hoods and Thelma Plum (five each); plus Folk Bitch Trio, Missy Higgins, Royel Otis and RÜFÜS DU SOL (four each).
Presented once again at the Hordern Pavilion, the ARIA Awards “are always a celebration of the moments that have defined Australian music over the past year, and 2025 has been extraordinary,” comments ARIA CEO, Annabelle Herd. “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.”
On the night, winners will be celebrated across 29 categories, including the 2025 ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, You Am I.
In a first, this year’s event will recognize the festivals that create breakthrough moments for local artists. The inaugural nominees for best music festival include Ability Fest, Beyond The Valley, Bluesfest Byron Bay, Laneway Festival, and Yours and Owls Festival.
Also new to the record industry’s flagship night, ARIA’s four publicly-voted categories will be integrated into Spotify, enabling fans to cast daily votes for their fave acts within the app. Public voting opens today on Spotify and the ARIA website for those categories of best Australian live act, song of the year, best video, and most popular international artist, closing Nov. 10.
The 39th ARIA Awards is supported by Destination NSW, and through a multi-year partnership with Spotify, and will air live on Paramount+ and broadcast on the free-to-air 10 network.
2025 ARIA Awards nominated artists:
Album of the YearAmyl 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 ArtistBARKAA – 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 GroupAmyl 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 SpotifyFolk 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 ReleaseG 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 ReleaseConfidence 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 ReleaseBARKAA – 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 ReleaseBOY 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 PPCABall 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 TooheysAmyl 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 AlbumFolk 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 AlbumDylan 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 AlbumCivic – 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 AlbumDope 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 AlbumEmma 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 TixelAbility Fest – Dylan Alcott Foundation + Untitled GroupBeyond The Valley – Untitled Group / Beyond The Valley Music FestivalBluesfest Byron Bay – Bluesfest Byron BayLaneway Festival – St Jerome’s Laneway / Laneway FestivalYours and Owls Festival – Yours and Owls
PUBLIC VOTED AWARDS
Best VideoBreak 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 Happy, Be Worry – 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 NSWAmyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness World TourBall Park Music – Like Love TourBARKAA – 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 2025Kylie Minogue – Tension Tour 2025Miss Kaninna – Dawg In Me Tour [Astral People]SPEED – SPEED AUSTRALIA TOUR ‘25Troye Sivan – Something To Give Each Other Tour [Live Nation]
Song of the YearCyril, 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 / EMIMusic 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 ArtistAlex Warren – [Atlantic Records / Warner Music Australasia]Calvin Harris – [Columbia Records / Sony Music]Gracie Abrams – [Interscope / Universal Music Australia]Kendrick Lamar – [Interscope / Universal Music Australia]Noah Kahan – [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]Post Malone – [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]Sabrina Carpenter – [Island Records USA / Universal Music Australia]Tate McRae – [RCA Records / Universal Music Australia]Taylor Swift – [Republic Records / Universal Music Australia]Tyler, The Creator – [Columbia Records / Sony Music]
ARTISAN AWARDS
Best Cover ArtGiulia McGauran for The Cat Empire – Bird in Paradise [BMG]John Stewart for Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness [Amyl and The Sniffers / Virgin MusicGroup]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 MusicAustralia]
Engineer – Best Engineered ReleaseAlice 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 ReleaseAlex Burnett for Thelma Plum – I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back [Warner 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 AlbumAndrea Lam – Piano Diary [ABC Classic / The Orchard]Australian Chamber Orchestra / Richard Tognetti – Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings and AndanteCantabile / 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 AlbumEvans 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 AlbumAustralian 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 AlbumElectric 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 ADSBest Use of an Australian Recording in an AdvertisementFox League 2025: Our Greats – Fox Sports Australia, 3%Menulog: What’s Good in Your Hood – Thinkerbell, Bliss n EsoParamount+ Australia: Ballad of the GOATS – Paramount+ Australia, BriggsTooheys: I Feel Like a Tooheys – Thinkerbell, Dune RatsTourism & Events Queensland: That Holiday Feeling – Publicis Worldwide, Kita Alexander
