Terms & Conditions

1. General

a. Organisation

MusicNT Incorporated organises and produces the NT Music Awards, an annual competition, promoting the talents of songwriters, venues and festivals resident in the Northern Territory, inviting writers to submit recordings of original musical compositions. NT Music Awards aims to reveal, promote and support Northern Territory songwriters across many genres and facilitate career opportunities as well as recognising venues, festivals and production crew that support the NT music sector.

b. Independence

Judging of submissions, and selection of category nominees and winners, is undertaken by a judging panel completely independent of MusicNT. Absolutely no MusicNT staff are involved in this process.

c. Acceptance

Participation in the NT Music Awards implies complete acceptance of the present Terms and Conditions, the renunciation of any recourse concerning the conditions of organisation and the running of the event, its results and the attribution of prizes as well as the decision of the jury, which will be final and without appeal.

d. Entry Submissions

Release Dates: Songs must have been released between the 1/1/2025 and the 31/12/2025 to be eligible for the 2026 NT Music Awards.
Eligibility Period: The work submitted for consideration must have been created, recorded, or first released within the specified eligibility period.
Residency Requirements: Nominees must be current residents of the Northern Territory and have maintained continuous residency for a minimum of twelve (12) months prior to the close of the eligibility period.
Original Work: Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the nominated song is an original work and that they have had a primary creative role in its composition (e.g. songwriter, performer, or producer).
First Nations Eligibility: First Nations artists who may not meet the standard residency requirement may still be eligible where they can demonstrate a strong and ongoing cultural connection to the Northern Territory through family, community, and/or Country. This may include artists who have relocated but maintain active cultural, creative, or community ties to the NT.
Multiple Songwriters: Where a song has multiple songwriters, at least fifty percent (50%) of the credited songwriters must meet either the Northern Territory residency requirement or the First Nations eligibility criteria outlined above.
Verification: Proof of residency or connection may be requested and can include documentation such as a driver’s licence, community references, or other forms of verification confirming Northern Territory residency or cultural affiliation.
Non-Compliance: Works that fall outside the eligibility period, or where residency or connection requirements are not met, will not be considered.
Copyright Infringement: Songs and photographic entries must be original works and not infringe upon any copyrights.
AI Ineligibility: Only original work created by humans are eligible for submission and/or nomination, and award consideration across all categories. Any work created by AI will be ineligible for consideration.
Authentication: MusicNT reserves the right to authenticate entries and disqualify any entrant if they suspect the work does not adhere to the originality and human-authorship requirements.
Promotional License: Songwriters grant MusicNT a non-exclusive license to use submitted songs for promotional purposes related to the NT Music Awards.
Sponsorship Conflicts: Entries that conflict with MusicNT’s sponsorship obligations will not be considered.
Copyright Ownership: Copyrights remain with the songwriters.
Legal Liability: MusicNT is not liable for copyright infringements by contestants.
Past Submissions: Previously entered songs from past NT Music Awards are ineligible.
Instrumental Entries: Instrumental music may be entered into all categories but must be clearly indicated by writing “Instrumental” in the lyrics section on the online form.
Non-Refundable Fees: Entry fees are non-refundable.
Award Credits: The Northern Territory Music Awards is a song writing and photography competition. Therefore, the songwriters and photographers will be credited as the finalists/winners. In the case of all members of a band being the songwriters, the band name will be credited as the finalists/winners.

e. Judging

Judging Panel: The judging panels consist of music industry professionals across Australia.
Finalists and Winners: Four nominees and a winner will be chosen for each category.
Song of the Year: The NT Song of The Year is selected from category finalists by an independent panel.
Final Decisions: All decisions are final; no correspondence will be entered into.
Finalist Notification: Finalists will be notified via email on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Promotional Materials: Finalists must provide a photo and bio for promotions.
Awards Ceremony: The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Industry Nominated

Metro Festival of The Year
Regional Festival of The Year
Tech of the Year
Hall of Fame

2. How To Enter

Opening and Closing Dates: Entries open on Wednesday, April 1 and close at 23:59 (ACST) Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Submission Method: Submissions must be made via the online form at NT Music Awards
Lyrics Requirement: Each song submission must include lyrics (or "INSTRUMENTAL" if applicable).
Language and Translation: Songs in languages other than English should include an English translation if possible.
Songwriter Listing: All songwriters must be clearly listed on the entry form.
Band Credits: In the case of all members of a band being the songwriters, the band name will be credited as the finalists/winners. If the whole band are to be credited as songwriters, please enter the band's name in the songwriters’ field.
File Uploads and Format: If streaming links are unavailable, song files must be in MP3 format and under 6MB.
Proof of Release: If links to streaming platforms are unavailable and files of songs are to be uploaded, then they will need to also show/upload proof of the release such as a live performance of the song (e.g., gig poster, dated social media post/video of the performance, radio broadcast link, or other Jpeg, mp4, pdf, or URL formats supported). Clarify your eligibility by contacting ntma@musint.com.au first.
Category Limits: Songs may only be entered into one (1) genre category (Please note Youth is not considered a genre).
Payment Terms: Payment is required upon submission and is non-refundable.
In-Person Payments: In-person payments can be made at MusicNT offices in Alice Springs or Darwin.
Submission Liability: MusicNT is not responsible for late, lost, or misdirected submissions.
Return of Materials: Recordings and lyrics will not be returned.

3. Cost of Entry

Standard Entry Fee: $15 for up to three songs, additional songs $15 each (prices include GST).
MusicNT Member Discount: Current MusicNT financial members receive their first three songs free, additional songs $15 each (price includes GST).

4. Winner Agreement

Website Feature: All category winners agree to have their winning entry included on various websites.
Promotional Rights: MusicNT may use winners’ names and images for promotional purposes.
Winner Announcement: Winners will be announced at the 2026 Northern Territory Music Awards on Thursday July 16, 2026.

5. Hot Shots Photograph - Registration Guidelines & Terms

Eligibility

NT Locations: Subjects/locations must be from the NT
Eligible: NT act performing anywhere
Ineligible: non-NT act performing outside NT

Formats

Accepted: JPG or PNG (max 20MB)

File Naming Format

Photographer Format: PHOTOGRAPHERS NAME_PHOTO TITLE.jpg
Example: Citizen_CrowdShot.jpg

Other Notes

Submission History: Photos can be from any year but must not have been submitted before
Image Limit: Max 6 images per entrant

Terms

Residency Requirements: Entrants must be current residents of the Northern Territory and have maintained continuous residency for a minimum of twelve (12) months prior to the close of the eligibility period.
Entry Deadline: Entries due by 23:59, Monday, April 30, 2026
Promotional Use: Images may be exhibited or used for promotion
Photographer Credits: Photographers will be credited
Winner Announcement: Winners announced at NT Music Awards on July 16, 2026
Printing and Ownership: MusicNT pays for printing; prints remain property of MusicNT
Liability: MusicNT not liable for loss/damage
Originality and Consent: Entrants confirm original work and subject permission
Original Image Verification: If a photo seems significantly altered, MusicNT may request to see the original image. MusicNT reserves the right to exclude any entry if the final submission appears to have been significantly altered or manipulated in a way that misrepresents the original subject or location.
AI Ineligibility: Only original work created by humans is eligible for submission and/or nomination, and award consideration across all categories. Any work created by AI, including generative fill, expansion, or object creation, will be ineligible for consideration.
Generative AI Tools: The use of Generative AI tools is prohibited. Non-generative AI tools used for corrective tasks are permitted. Any tool that is used to “generate” or “hallucinate” new elements into the photograph will result in disqualification.
Disclosure and Transparency: If your editing process has involved any AI-assisted tools beyond basic colour and exposure correction, you must provide a brief statement upon request outlining which tools were used and how. Entrants found to have used generative AI without disclosure, or in a way that exceeds these guidelines, will be removed from award consideration.

6. Event Promotion

Winners receive promotional support, including:
- Trophy Presentation: Award trophy presentation at the Northern Territory Music Awards.
- Artist Profiles: Artist profiles featured on NT Music Awards and MusicNT websites.

7. Entrant Agreement

By entering the Northern Territory Music Awards, entrants acknowledge and accept these terms and conditions.For further inquiries:
- Phone: (08) 8981 1995 or 0475 216 586
- Email: ntma@musicnt.com.au