Radioinfo and Radiotoday, in partnership with media and marketing publication Mumbrella, have launched a new awards event for Australia’s Audio Industry. 

The Australian Audio Awards will include recognition for both radio and podcast talent.

The awards begin a new era of recognition for Australia’s audio industries. 

An awards ceremony will take place on the closing night of Mumbrella360 at Carriageworks in Sydney, on Thursday May 28th, 2026. 

Radio entries will be open to commercial broadcasters and the public sector, including the ABC, SBS and community broadcasters.  

Podcast entries will be open to broadcast companies that publish podcasts, corporate podcast publishers and independent producers in two categories, Major and Independent. RadioToday’s previous podcast awards will now become part of the new expanded audio awards.  

Entries open soon. More details at https://mumbrella.com.au/audioawards

Radioinfo and RadioToday publisher Steve Ahern will lead jury curation. Ahern said:  

“This is an opportunity for all the radio and podcasters sectors to celebrate our vibrant Australian Audio Industry. We are working together to support our industry with these awards, which will recognise talent, encourage creativity and provide benchmarks for success. The audio industry in this country has been successful because we compete hard, but also work together for the benefit of the whole industry. This is one of those times for us to work together.” 

Mumbrella publisher Tim Burrowes, who co-presents the MediaLand show on ABC Radio National, along with the Mumbrellacast and Unmade podcasts, said:  

“The audio sector is the media industry’s most collegiate community, which is why we’re so happy to be partnering with the team at Radioinfo and RadioToday in putting this event together. The industry deserves the chance to come together to celebrate its success.” 

Also joining the event as media supporters is the Radio Rubber Room Facebook group. The group is a forum, curated by David Rogerson, for radio professionals to share information and discuss industry issues. 

Judging will take place in person in Sydney next year on the campus of awards supporter AFTRS.  

The launch of the Australian Audio Awards follows the decision of industry body Commercial Radio + Audio to end the long-running Australian Commercial Radio Awards, which has given the Audio Industry an opportunity to reset its approach to awards recognition. 

Award categories are: 

RADIO 

Best Breakfast Show
Best Local Show
Best Networked Show
Best Newcomer On Air 
Best Newcomer Off Air
Best Salesperson or Team
Best Agency Audio Campaign
Best Station Promotion 
Best Audio Producer 
Best News Presenter/Reporter
Best Australian Music Show and/or Music Programmer
Best Non-Commercial Program
Best Specialist Program 

 PODCASTS 

Best Branded Podcast  
Best Children’s Entertainment Podcast
Best Comedy Podcast
Best Crime Podcast
Best Health & Wellness Podcast
Best Interview Podcast
Best Investigative Journalism Podcast
Best Money & Business Podcast
Best News & Current Affairs Podcast
Best New Podcast
Best Podcast Producer 
Best Podcast Host/Presenter
Best Society & Culture Podcast
Best Sport Podcast



 

We received many emails, calls and comments when the ACRAs were cancelled, asking us to try to do something. We have done our bit, with our collaborators Mumbrella, Game Changers and Radio Rubber Room. Now it’s over to you. Please support these awards in whatever way you can, so that they can grow from here and celebrate radio, podcasting and audio in Australia. Steve Ahern