It is generally considered the most prestigious Australian classical music competition not restricted to a single instrument.
In December 2015 it was announced that the competition would be discontinued with immediate effect, as Symphony Australia could no longer support it.
From 2013 until 2015, all entrants were exposed to Preliminary Auditions which were held in each state, from which 12 finalists were chosen by the judges irrespective of their instrument.
From 2017, preliminary auditions are by digital video submission from which 12 Semi Finalists are chosen by the judges, irrespective of their instrument or location.
The rescheduled Awards were disrupted in 2021 and the decision was made to hold the YPA entirely online with digital entries and pre-recorded Semi-Finals and Finals stages.
[8] The Young Performers Awards and its predecessors featured some of the best known names in the Australian classical music scene.