This year's ARIA Awards will look different to what people are used to, as they're set to take place as a digital event streamed live on YouTube.

There has also been a change to one of the flagship ARIA Awards, with an inclusive award for Best Artist replacing the Best Female Artist and Best Male Artist categories. The nominees have been expanded from five to 10.

All gender-based awards categories have been replaced, with ARIA Chief Executive, Annabelle Heard, saying, “The time for separating artists based on gendered categories that exclude non-binary artists altogether has passed.

“The music industry is demanding a more equal, inclusive, safe and supportive space for everyone and ARIA is working hard to achieve that across the ARIA Awards and everything we do.

“While the removal of gender-based categories is a significant change we are proud of, I recognise it is just one step in the continuous journey of reassessment, progression and ultimately evolution that we are committed to undertake. We’re determined to make the future of the ARIA Awards and the future of Australian music as bright as it can be.”

The change follows a move back in 2017 from MTV, who stopped using gendered award categories, as well as re-designing their Moonman trophy for the VMAs to be a Moonperson. 

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Nominations for the ARIAs will be announced on October 6th as a YouTube premiere, while the ceremony will be held on November 24th. We're looking forward to this year's ARIA Awards, as while it's been a tough year for the music industry, we can't wait to see all the great music released this year recognised.