Australian Podcast Awards return in 2022

The Australia Podcast Awards (APAs) powered by iHeart, are returning this year, celebrating the best of Australian podcasts and the podcasting talent that has emerged over the past year.

Over 90 judges listened to nearly 1,000 submissions in 2021, awarding gold to 29 top podcasts across categories from True Crime to Comedy and Sex & Relationships. 

There will be a total of 33 award categories presented in the 2022 Australian Podcast Awards, from Best New Podcast to Podcast of the Year and every genre-based category in between. 

There are also new awards, including Podcast Climate Award and Best Parenting Podcast. 

This year, the Awards have partnered with the Podcasting Seriously Fund, providing reimbursement for independent BIPOC, Queer and Trans audio creators to enter.

The news of the 2022 APAs comes as Australia officially overtakes the U.S. as the world’s biggest podcast listening nation.

Matt Deegan, Director at the Australian Podcast Awards, says, “Australia isn’t just the world’s biggest podcast listening nation, it’s also at the forefront of incredible podcast production.”

“The 2022 Australian Podcast Awards promises to uncover, spotlight and champion the best of the best when it comes to Australian podcasting.”

“We welcome podcasts big and small to enter and look forward to another year of breakthrough podcasting content.”  

The Australian Podcast Awards also announces its first wave of partners, including Gold Partners iHeart, LiSTNR, Nova, Campaign, Podfollow and Podnews. 

The Australian Podcast Awards launched in 2016 to showcase the podcasting talent and content Australia has to offer. 

Now in its sixth year, the Awards will also host its annual conference, Podcast Day 24 on October 4th in Sydney, which shares content, research and podcast industry trends. 

Winners in 2021 included Laura Byrne and Brittney Hockley’s Life Uncut, Julia Gillard’s A Podcast of One’s Own and Brooke Boney and Linda Marigliano’s Brooke and Linda’s Dream Club. 

Other winners include true crime podcast, The Nurse, dramedy fiction podcast, Private Affairs, and pop-culture podcast, The Culture. 

Submissions for the Australian Podcast Awards are now open. Find out more at australianpodcastawards.com. 

Nominees will be selected by a judging panel before the category winners are announced in November.