APRA Music Awards of 2016

The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2016 (generally known as APRA Awards) are a series of related awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Art Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards of 2016 was the 34th annual ceremony by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) to award outstanding achievements in contemporary songwriting, composing and publishing. The ceremony was held on 5 April 2016 at the Carriageworks, Sydney. The host for the ceremony was Brian Nankervis, adjudicator on SBS-TV's RocKwiz.

The Art Music Awards were distributed on 16 August at the Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne and presented by APRA and the Australian Music Centre (AMC), "to recognise achievement in the composition, performance, education and presentation of Australian art music. Art music covers activity across contemporary classical music, contemporary jazz and improvised music, experimental music and sound art."

The Screen Music Awards were issued on 8 November by APRA, AMCOS and Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), which "acknowledges excellence and innovation in the genre of screen composition" and the ceremony was held at the City Recital Hall in Sydney.

On 15 March nominations for the APRA Music Awards were announced on multiple news sources; Jarryd James and Sia received four each. At the ceremony total of 14 awards were presented, including a new category, Overseas Recognition Award. Cold Chisel members (Jimmy Barnes, Don Walker, Ian Moss, Phil Small and Steve Prestwich) were honoured by the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. Songwriter of the Year was Courtney Barnett.

Presenters
At the APRA Music Awards ceremony on 5 April 2016, aside from the host, Brian Nankervis, the presenters were Styalz Fuego, Fiona Bevan, Catherine Britt, Trey Campbell, Suze DeMarchi, Tim Rogers, Maegan Cottone, Adalita and Don Walker.

Performances
The APRA Music Awards ceremony showcased performances by:
 * Urthboy with Kira Puru and Bertie Blackman
 * The Delta Riggs
 * D.I.G with Ngaiire
 * Gang of Youths and Montaigne
 * San Cisco
 * Guy Sebastian
 * The Living End

Songwriter of the Year

 * Courtney Barnett

Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music

 * Cold Chisel (Jimmy Barnes, Don Walker, Ian Moss, Phil Small, Steve Prestwich)