Australian Women in Music has launched the inaugural Courtney Mills DJ Award, created with the Courtney Mills Foundation to honour the late Australian DJ who passed away in 2025. Nominations open at 7am AEDT on Tuesday 27 October and close on Tuesday 24 November, with finalists to be announced in February 2027 and the winner revealed at the Australian Women in Music Awards at Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on Thursday 27 May.

The award is open to established female and gender-diverse DJs and recognises artistic achievement and contribution to Australia’s electronic music scene, with a distinctive musical identity, creative excellence and a positive impact on the wider community. A panel of industry representatives from labels, A&R, touring, programming and artist development will select the finalists and the winner.

AWMA Founding Executive Producer and Program Director Vicki Gordon said AWMA is “deeply committed to building safe, visible and sustainable pathways for female and gender-diverse artists”. Valiant Records Australia Director and A&R Tom Evans, who helped shape the criteria, said “there isn’t one prescribed pathway to becoming an influential DJ, and I think this award will celebrate that”. Kiani Mills, representing the Courtney Mills Foundation, said the award will help Courtney’s legacy create opportunities for future artists.