Australian Audio Awards Finalists shortlist

The jury has spoken. Below is the shortlist of finalists for the 2026 Australian Audio Awards.

As entrants chewed their fingernails in anticipation, behind the scenes the organisers were collating several tie break rounds this week.

Some of the most contested categories were: Best Newcomer On Air, Best New Podcast, Best Breakfast Show, Best Society and Culture Podcast and Best Podcast Producer.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is now open.

Vote for Radio Finalists here

Vote for Podcast Finalists here

Chair of Judges, Radioinfo and RadioToday publisher Steve Ahern said: 

“The anticipation is over, here’s the list.  It was a little late because we had to go down to three tie breakers in some categories. I’m so impressed with the way the Mumbrella team runs these awards, there were no shortcuts, it had to be done carefully and in a way that’s fair to every entry. Damn hard work, but worth it. Thanks to all our judges.

“Congratulations to those on this list who made it through, you are the best in your field!  

“Making it this far is already a badge of honour, enjoy your success as a shortlisted finalist.  See you at the awards!”

Mumbrella’s Tim Burrowes said:

“We’ve been so delighted with the high level of interest and effort put in by so many within the audio industry, both in entering and in the first stage of the judging process. It shows just how vibrant Australia’s podcast and radio landscape currently is.

“Our live judging day on April 28 – when about 100 of Australia’s finest audio minds come together – will be a huge one for the  industry. And I can’t wait for the big night on May 28 when Bianca and Mitch get to tell us the winners.”

It is a year for news/talk radio. Dominating most of the live radio show categories are finalists from news/talk radio stations. The ABC, Commercial talk stations and Community Radio shows are all represented in the finalists list.

The Shortlist finalists are:

Best Breakfast Show – Large Market

• 2SER Breakfast – 2SER

• 3AW Breakfast with Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft – 3AW Breakfast for Radio 3AW Melbourne

• Ben Fordham Live – 2GB Radio with Ben Fordham, Liam McGuire, Sienna Williams, Spiro Christopoulos, Lucy Borg, Riley Mullins, Maddie Warden

• Breakfast with Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller – ABC for 891 ABC Adelaide

• Tim Webster Breakfast Show – 2SM

Best Breakfast Show – Medium Market

• Adam & Jennie – 5MU (ARN Regional)

• Christian and Bella for Breakfast – i98FM

• Craig and Katie – ARN Power FM SA

• Mark & AB for Breakfast – GSL Media for 92.7 Mix FM

• The Big Breakfast with Foz & Brooke – GSL Media for 91.9 Sea FM

Best Local Show

• 3AW Drive with Jacqui Felgate – Radio 3AW Melbourne

• Afternoons with Michael McLaren – 2GB

• Breakfast with Sharnelle & Bob – ABC for 774 ABC Melbourne

• Darragh O’Dea in the Afternoon – 917 The Wave with West Coast Radio

• Elly & Taz – GSL Media for 91.9 Sea FM

• Mix 106.3 – amplifyCBR

• Sydney Now with Clinton Maynard – 2GB

Best Networked Show

• Chris Smith Across Australia – Super Radio Network for 2SM

• Gordie Waters – KIIS Workday – ARN with KIIS FM

• Mornings with Mark Levy – 2GB with Nine Radio

Best Newcomer On Air – Large

• Keegan Brown – Triple M Adelaide

• Luka Muller – ABC for triple j Breakfast with Concetta & Luka

• Luke Siddham Dundon – ABC for Radio National Breakfast

Best Newcomer On Air – Medium

• Ashleigh Wright – WIN Corporation for i98FM

• Chelsea Barber – Power FM SA (ARN Regional) for The Recharge

• Cheralyn Lisa Darcey – 2HD Newcastle, The Super Radio Network for The Nightline with Cheralyn Darcey

• Corey Cartmill – ARN for Star 102.7

• Karen McMullen – Southern Cross Austereo for Triple M Breakfast with Kaz and Tubes

Best Newcomer On Air – Small

• Deborah Sugirthakumar – WynFM for Mindful Moments

• Erin Govers – Power FM Bega Bay

• Jessica Naunton – ABC for ABC North Queensland Saturday Breakfast

• John Parkinson – Super Radio Network for Drive 1-6pm

 Best Newcomer Off Air

• Jess Hoggard – i98FM

• Wesley William Cassell – AmplifyCBR for Hit 104.7

Best Audio Producer – Large

• Damian Tardio – 3AW

• Ingrid Wagner & Leila Shunnar – ABC for Background Briefing

• Mark del Villar – ARN

• Riley Mullins – 2GB

• Ross Kavanagh – ABC for 774 ABC Melbourne

 Best Audio Producer – Medium

• Cameron Horn – COAST FM

• Dan King – Geelong Broadcasters for Bay 93.9 & Krock 955

• Sam Wickens – i98FM

Best News Presenter/Reporter

• Ashleigh Wright – i98FM, WIN Corporation

• Chelsea Bowden – 6PR Perth

• Clinton Maynard – 2GB Radio, Nine Radio

• Eddie Summerfield – Radio 3AW Melbourne

• Joshua Bryant – 2GB, Nine Radio

• Maria Hatzakis – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

• Will Bottom – 2GB

Best Salesperson or Team

• Shayne Topper – i98FM

Best Australian Music Show/Music Programmer

• Anika Luna – ABC for Home & Hosed

• Brett Adie – Phoenix FM Bendigo for Aussie Trove

• Cameron Menegoni – 2SER for The Band Next Door

• Chris Holland – K Rock 95.5 for Great Ocean Odes

• Live Music Bendigo – Central Victorian Community Broadcasters Inc. (Phoenix FM Bendigo) 

 Best Non-Commercial Program 

• Drive with Abby & Tyrone – ABC for triple j 

• Nightlife – ABC for ABC Radio 

• Regional Queensland Drive – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• SBS Chill 

• Shoot The Breeze – Wildhorse FM Community Radio 

• So Bae Party Mix – Bay FM 100.3 with 4ZZZ, Joy FM for LGBTQIA+ 

 Best Specialist Program 

• 774 ABC Melbourne and Victoria – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• 92.7 Mix FM Todd and Sami’s Autism Awareness Week – GSL Media 

• All Wrapped Up – Nine Radio Syndication 

• Breaking News – Terror at Bondi – Sydney’s 2GB with 3AW, 4BC. 6PR – Nine Radio Syndication for Nine Radio 

• Narratives Library National Edition – The Narratives Library with 2BAYFM 99.9 

• The Expiry Date – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

 Best Commercial: Station Produced 

• Beautiful – COAST FM for Outdoor Elegance 

• “Geelonging” – bay 93.9 (Geelong Broadcasters) with Purple Wax for Whitford Property 

• Morning Has Barkin’ – COAST FM – Gold Coast Pet Crematorium 

• Teeth Have Feelings – GSL Media with Selina Hynes (Creative Writer), Matt Cancian (Audio Producer) for Dentistry First 

• What’s On Your Fork? Check Your Pork! – Nine Radio for Australian Pork 

Best Commercial: Agency/Brand Produced 

• Frank’s RedHot – dentsu Qld with McCormick Foods & LiSTNR Brisbane for McCormick Foods – Frank’s RedHot 

• Sticky Pork Stir Fry – Dig with Rumble studios for Australian Pork Limited 

• Travla – Beer and BBQ Campaign – QSIC with Travlr for Coles Liquor/Liqourland 

 Best Station Promotion – Large 

• ABC Classic 100: Piano – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• Hottest 100 of Australian Songs – ABC for triple j 

 Best Station Promotion – Medium 

• Foz & Brookes $20,000 Mystery Word – GSL Media with 91.9 SEAFM 

• i98FM’s Golden Ticket – i98FM 

• Skyfire 2025 – amplifyCBR for Harvey Norman, Canberra Airport Group, Zango, Alexander Watson Insulation, Club Lime, Canberra Outlet Centre, YLess4U, Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers, Rivoland Tiles, National Capital Motors 

 Best New Podcast – Major  

• Back to Back Barries – Guardian Australia 

• Dear Rachelle – News Corp Australia with True Crime Australia 

• Gardening Australia Junior – ABC Kids listen 

• No One Saw It Coming – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

 Best New Podcast – Independent 

• Catching Evil – Sticky Toffee Media Pty ltd with Acast 

• MAFS Funny – AIIMS Group Creator Hub with Joshua Fox 

• Maiden Australia – Corey Martin 

• SOIL: Rewilding the Underground – Quiet Night with Freya Mulvey 

• The Mitch Churi Chat Show – WhichMitch Productions with Mitch Churi, Grace Garde 

• We Used To Be Journos – Ette Media 

 Best Podcast Host/Presenter – Major 

• Ashlea Hansen – News Corp Australia for Dear Rachelle 

• Erin Parke – ABC for Expanse: Nowhere Man 

• Janak Rogers – SBS Audio for Australia Fair 

• Marc Fennell – ABC for No One Saw It Coming 

• Stephen Stockwell – ABC for Mushroom Case Daily 

 Best Podcast Host/Presenter – Independent 

• Josh Mansour – AIIMS Group Creator Hub for Unscripted Podcast 

• Joshua Fox – AIIMS Group Creator Hub for MAFS Funny 

• Sherele Moody – The Red Heart Campaign, Australian Femicide Watch and Dash Made Studios for She Matters 

• Simon Pryce & Lachlan Gillespie – The Wiggles for Wiggle Talk – A Podcast for Parents 

• Victoria Vanstone – Sober Awkward with Acast 

 Best Podcast Producer – Major 

• Fanou Filali – ABC for Background Briefing 

• Matty White – 9Podcasts for Alva Beach, Stories of Origin, Six Tackles with Gus, The Billy Slater Project, Marlee & Me 

• Rhys Gunter – News Corp Australia for Dear Rachelle 

• Ruth Devine – Mamamia for Mamamia Out Loud (MMOL) 

• Xander Cross – NOVA Entertainment for High Scrollers 

Best Podcast Producer – Independent 

• Ali Aitken – 2SER for Think: Business Futures 

• Campbell Nugent – Rivyl for Agency Podcast 

• Dan McHugh – Happy Tuesday Productions for Out from the Cold: Searching for Elaine 

• Kim Gascoigne – Dash Made and the Red Heart Campaign, Australian Femicide Watch for She Matters 

• Liam Riordan – Deadset Studios for The University of Sydney, SBS, Dementia Australia with The Solutionists, Head Above Water, Hold the Moment 

• Madeline Joannou and Nick Webb – The Wiggles for Wiggle Talk – A Podcast for Parents with Mylk Media, iHeart Australia  

 Best Branded Podcast – Major 

• Hold the Moment – Dementia Australia with Deadset Studios 

• How To Build A Universe – Mamamia for LEGO 

• The Buyer’s Handbook – REA Group for Westpac 

• The Solutionists, with Mark Scott – Deadset Studios for University of Sydney 

 Best Branded Podcast – Independent 

• Big Sky Country – Bush Heritage Australia 

• The Relentless Optimist – Meliora with 18Sixty 

 Best Children’s Entertainment Podcast 

• Bluey Listen Along – ABC Kids listen 

• Hat Business – Fun Stories for Kids – Audio Cowboy 

• How To Build A Universe – Mamamia for LEGO 

• Imagine This – ABC Kids listen 

Best Comedy Podcast – Major 

• Comedy Karma – SBS Audio 

• Everybody Has A Secret – Shameless Media 

 Best Comedy Podcast – Independent 

• A Rational Fear – Not A Real Media Company Pty Ltd 

• Luke & Sassy Scott – Luke & Sassy Scott with Earsay, Podcast Mike Media, Mushroom Media 

• The Chaser Report – Chaser Digital Pty Ltd with Acast 

• Toni and Ryan Podcast – Toni and Ryan 

• We Will Always Have – Christian Hull Pty Ltd with Pod Shape 

 Best Crime Podcast – Major 

• Dear Rachelle – News Corp Australia with True Crime Australia 

• The Case of: Mushroom Case Daily – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• The Saints – Nine Network Australia with A Current Affair + 9Podcasts 

• Unravel: Huntsman – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• Witness: William Tyrrell – News.com.au with News Corp 

 Best Crime Podcast – Independent 

• Bike Boy – The True Crime Podcast – Bike Boy Media 

• Catching Evil – Sticky Toffee Media with Acast 

• One Minute Remaining – Stories form the inmates – Mashed Pumpkin Productions Pty Ltd  

• Prison Chronicles – Prison Chronicles Podcast 

Best Health & Wellness Podcast – Major 

• All in the Mind – ABC with ABC Radio National 

• Hold the Moment – Dementia Australia with Deadset Studios 

• Hysterical – SBS News 

• Rage Against The Menopause with Patrina Jones – iHeart Podcast Network with Australian Radio Network 

• WELL – Mamamia 

 Best Health & Wellness Podcast – Independent 

• Breaking Taboos: Older Australians talk about mental health – Monash University, RMIT and University of Tasmania  

• Soberly Speaking by Julia Rangiheuea – Soberly Speaking 

 Best Interview Podcast – Major 

• Conversations – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• I Catch Killers – News.com.au with News Corp 

• Neil Mitchell Asks Why – 3AW 

• No Filter – Mamamia 

• Take 5 – ABC for Double J 

 Best Interview Podcast – Independent 

• Biz Audio – The Biz Network 

• Breaking Taboos: Older Australians Talk About Mental Health – Monash University, RMIT and University of Tasmania 

• She Matters – Dash Made and the Red Heart Campaign, Australian Femicide Watch 

• What It Was Like – Superreal 

• Wiggle Talk – A Podcast for Parents – The Wiggles with Mylk Media, iHeart Australia 

Best Investigative Journalism Podcast – Major 

• Background Briefing – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• Dear Rachelle – News Corp Australia with True Crime Australia 

• Expanse: Nowhere Man – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• Gina: Power, privilege and influence – Guardian Australia 

• Secrets We Keep: By Any Means – LiSTNR Factual Podcasts 

• Should I Spit – LiSTNR 

 Best Investigative Journalism Podcast – Independent 

• Bike Boy – The True Crime Podcast – Bike Boy Media 

• Democracy After Disaster – Story Ground with Kate Lawrence 

• Out from the Cold: Searching for Elaine – Happy Tuesday Productions 

 Best Money & Business Podcast – Major 

• money money money – SYMO interactive 

• On the Money – SBS 

• The Bloomberg Australia Podcast – Bloomberg News 

• With Interest – CPA Australia 

 Best Money & Business Podcast – Independent 

• Agency Podcast – Rivyl  

• Fear and Greed – Fear and Greed 

• MINTED KIDS – Nicole’s Smart Money with F+K Media and Wisecast Studios  

 Best News & Current Affairs Podcast – Major 

• 7am – Solstice Media 

• ABC News Daily – ABC 

• Full Story – Guardian Australia 

• If You’re Listening – ABC 

• SBS World News Weekly – SBS 

• The Morning Edition – The Age and Sydney Morning Herald 

 Best News & Current Affairs Podcast – Independent 

• Beyond Hysterical – Bitter Pill Studios 

• Instant Experts – The Killer Group 

• NewsFix – Hear That? for Fix The News 

• We Used To Be Journos – Ette Media 

 Best Society & Culture Podcast – Major 

• CORKED: Wine’s Biggest Scandal – Audible 

• Life Matters – ABC for Radio National 

• Mamamia Out Loud (MMOL) – Mamamia 

• No One Saw It Coming – ABC 

• Shameless – Shameless Media 

• Spice – SBS Audio 

 Best Society & Culture Podcast – Independent 

• Life Uncut podcast – Life Uncut 

• Passing Thoughts – Conversations about Death and Dying – Radio 2RPH Co-operative Limited with Wicking Trust 

• She Matters – Dash Made and the Red Heart Campaign, Australian Femicide Watch 

• Them Yarns for Carly Wallace and Aaron Nagas with Courage Kahanaui 

• What It Was Like – Superreal 

 Best Sport Podcast – Major 

• ABC Sport Daily – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 

• Eddie and Jimmy – 9Podcasts 

• SBS Cycling – SBS Audio 

• Stories of Origin – 9Podcasts with Matty White & Mathew Thompson 

• Tagged – Australian Football League 

 Best Sport Podcast – Independent 

• Sportish – Play On Media with Deadset Studios 

• The Nero Show – The Nero Show 

• The Punch Podcast – Australian Sports Network 

• Unscripted – AIIMS Group with Josh Mansour 

Finalists in each category are presented in alphabetical order.

People’s Choice voting will open next week.

Winners will be announced on Thursday, 28 May 2026 at an event in Carriageworks Sydney. The night will be hosted by Bianca Dye and Mitch Churi.