Next Up Music Awards NUMAs

Celebrate Australia’s next music stars 🎶

Be part of the inaugural Next Up Music Awards (NUMAs), bringing young contemporary Australian music creators together with established artists and industry leaders for an unforgettable celebration.

A night of music and discovery ✨

13 awards and six live performances, hosted by Lead Youth Patron Ruby Rodgers, with artistic direction from Mahalia Barnes and DOBBY.

We’ll also honour two outstanding educators through the Music Teacher of the Year Awards (Primary and Secondary)

Get your glam on and hit the Yellow Brick Road! ✨

Plan your outfit, rally your family and friends, and celebrate your moment with a trip down the yellow brick road and chat along the way with host Poppy Reid 🎤

• 5pm: Yellow Brick Road

• 5.30pm: Guest arrival

• 6.30pm: Awards commence

• 8.30–10pm: After party at Carriageworks

Dress for the occasion ✨Awards Glam!

All ages event no alcohol service. RSVP essential. Seating is limited.

Help Australia’s Next Music Stars Flourish 🌟

An optional donation helps NUMAs create opportunities for young music makers through industry learning, connections and career pathways.

Every contribution supports the next generation as they take their first steps into the music industry.

Child safety and respectful participation

NUMAs remain committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where children and young people feel welcome, heard and protected.

Everyone involved, including entrants, nominees, applicants, nominators, parents, guardians, teachers, schools, judges, staff, volunteers, contractors, partners and event attendees must comply with NUMAs’ child safety policies, Code of Conduct, venue rules and safeguarding directions. These include requirements relating to supervision, travel, online safety, communications, photography, filming and participation.

Bullying, harassment, discrimination, grooming, abuse, inappropriate contact and any behaviour that compromises a child’s safety or wellbeing will not be tolerated. NUMAs may restrict access, remove a person from an activity or event, or refer concerns to the relevant authorities.

Working with Children Checks and site access

All staff, contractors and volunteers undertaking child-related work must meet the applicable NSW Working with Children Check requirements. NUMAs will assess roles, confirm any applicable exemptions and verify required checks through the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian before child-related duties commence. Paid child-related workers must hold the appropriate paid-worker check.

All workers must complete event sign-in and any required safeguarding induction, provide identification when requested, and comply with accreditation, supervision and restricted-access arrangements. Signing in does not replace WWCC verification.

Supervision and reporting concerns

Children and young people must follow the supervision arrangements communicated for their participation. Parents, guardians and teachers must not assume that event attendance transfers responsibility for supervision to NUMAs.

Any child safety concern, disclosure or inappropriate behaviour must be reported promptly to the designated NUMAs Child Safety Contact or event staff. Concerns will be taken seriously and handled sensitively, with information shared only as needed to protect children and meet reporting obligations. Call 000 if anyone is in immediate danger.