ARTS & CULTURE
Celebrating arts and criticism across all cultures: the
podcasts that encourage us to seek out new releases
or forgotten classics – through reviews, interviews,
discussion... any or none of the above.
Outstanding entries in this category will go beyond
episode recaps or the typical ‘thumbs up/down’ critiques
and give listeners fresh angles on the arts they love, with
genuine and passionate presentation or will deeply reflect
artistic or cultural subjects in their output.
BUSINESS
Inspiring the next generation of CEOs, COOs and other
acronyms. You could be showcasing stories of great
leadership, or helping listeners make every penny count.
As with all our categories, we’re looking for shows that
reflect the diversity of ideas, backgrounds and industry
in our country. So, the best entries will need to be freshsounding, personable and inclusive.
CLIMATE
Can podcasts save the planet? Sure, they can. We think
the intimacy and creativity of podcasting makes it perfect
for the job. The climate and environmental emergency can
be complex, confusing and frankly a bit of a turn off, but
podcasts can touch hearts and minds like nothing else.
We also think that the podcast industry has so far
lagged behind other creative sectors when it comes
to sustainable production practices. So, this award is a
chance to champion podcasts and production teams who
are really making a difference.
This award is open to specialist shows in any genre – you
don’t have to be specifically about climate change every
week to qualify. Put in your best work on the subject.
Winners will be able to demonstrate they are changing
the conversation. Either through creative, innovative and
compelling audio. Or through sustainable production
which measures and minimises harm.
COMEDY
Not to be confused with our entertainment category,
this is for podcasts that aren’t just funny... but have finely
crafted jokes inside. From panel shows to parody, improv
to sitcoms and entirely new formats that only podcasts
can create. Judges have been instructed to reward the
podcast that tickled the jury the most, not necessarily the
one that appealed to everyone. Make one judge laugh
harder than any of the other entries, and you’ll walk away
with the prize.
Outstanding entries in this category will be markedly
different from the traditional 28’ radio formats, pushing
boundaries or reaching listeners beyond those tuning into
FM stations
We recognise there are different types of comedy: it could
be belly laughs, sweet-natured, angry or timely satire, just
plain surreal... all are welcome.
DOCUMENTARY
Documentaries take listeners into new worlds and
experiences through real people, places, and events. But
it's not just about providing facts; we're interested in how
producers weave them into an overall narrative that's
compelling as well as truthful.
Outstanding entries in this category will combine excellent
scripted narration with field recordings and interviews,
sophisticated editing and sound design, all to achieve the
most natural, accessible storytelling.
EDUCATION
Acknowledging the important role podcasts now play in
education - whether you’re teaching a language, providing
self help courses or improving your industry’s professional
skills.
Outstanding entries in this category will demonstrate
the techniques and production skills needed to teach
effectively, and show how their compilation extends to a
well structured series of lessons for listeners.
ENTERTAINMENT
Incorporating music shows, funny people, magazine
formats, true storytelling shows and chat-based formats.
If you put a spring in your listeners’ step, providing toetappin’, chin-strokin’, chuckle-inducing’ escapism... you
should apply within.
Outstanding entries in this category will revel in their
eclecticism, curating content or features that your
subscribers unquestionably consume with open hearts
and minds.
FACTUAL
Our ‘Best Factual’ category, under a PR-friendly name.
From why we need bees to the intricacies of language
– entries here should improve our understanding of
ourselves and the world in an entertaining and accessible
way. Whether your schtick is entertaining trivia or any
number of gloriously niche subjects, to become ‘Smartest
Podcast’ at the Australian Podcast Awards is to make
audiences smarter the longer they stay listening.
Outstanding entries in this category will elevate the
potentially driest of subjects to unmissable listening,
making best use of podcasting’s unique qualities.
FICTION
Incorporating drama, readings, and ground-breaking new
formats for storytelling.
Outstanding entries in this category will incorporate
production that suits the story/stories and sound design
that acknowledges an audience primarily of headphone
users. New writing, new talent, new ways of looking at
the world – these will be noted favourably.
You can submit up to 30mins of audio. This can be in
the form of a single piece, or a selection of up to 5 clips.
Please also note that you have to have released at least
three episodes in the past twelve months to qualify.
HISTORY
Be it a deep-dive into our ancestors or a whistle-stop tour
of the twentieth century, the Australian Podcast Awards
would like to recognise the work being done by the best
podcast historians in the country.
Outstanding entries in this category will take care over
accuracy and perspective, whilst telling their stories with
passion, empathy and relevance
KIDS
Recognising the shows that entertain children with either
high quality storytelling, amazing facts or very silly jokes.
Outstanding entries in this category will... educate their
audience in an accessible and entertaining manner.
Children's podcasts should demonstrate how they engage
listeners through format, casting and tone.
NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS
Whether you are a business, news and current affairs
programme, publishing regular discussion formats or
original journalism, we want to hear podcasts that have
sought insight into our complex society.
Outstanding entries in this category will find new angles
on recent events, beyond the headlines and 24-hour
news cycles, retaining relevance with an audience beyond
the week they were published.
PARENTING
Whether you’re providing a weekly check in for parents
everywhere, or something more targeted at a community,
we want to hear from shows that tell it like it *really* is,
help us overcome those stressful times and give us fresh
insights into modern family living.
Outstanding entries in this category will showcase new
formats and treatments you use to tell your parenting
stories – or how long-running shows are keeping their
presentation fresh and inclusive.
SEX & RELATIONSHIPS
Recognising the great work being done in sex education
and relationship advice; representing a wider variety of
sexual experiences than has previously been the case in
mainstream media.
Outstanding entries in this category will have a high
standard of research (whether in terms of guests or
subject matter) and presentation that confronts taboos in
an entertaining and accessible way.
WELLBEING
Showcasing the best self-help and improvement podcasts
that focus on positive mental health. Your audio entry
should illustrate how you tackle sensitive and sometimes
traumatic issues with compassion, and/or provide a
toolkit for listeners to apply to their own lives.
For the judge’s sake, please add any trigger warnings to
your tracklisting.
SPORT
Maybe you have incisive analysis, exceptional pundits
and great access or perhaps the discussion is merely a
sideshow to the blossoming, unspoken romance between
your contributors. Regardless, if you have a loyal audience
and an entertaining show, you should enter.
Outstanding entries in this category will be able to
demonstrate a fanbase loyal to the podcast beyond the
dreams of most sports clubs. Audience size is not a factor:
making niche sports accessible to wider audiences would
be as valued here as much as any show pegged to a major
sporting tournament.
TRUE CRIME
Still one of podcasting's most popular genres, winners in
this category will be outstanding in their field. Whether it’s
original investigations or pure storytelling, judges will be
looking for well-researched programmes, with evocative
storytelling and human stories at its heart.
Outstanding entries in this category will have crafted
a format around the material available, whether that’s
archive, original interviews or other techniques, playing
with this most established of podcast genres to create
something unique.
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