"[2] Initially, the award was given to an Australian group or solo artist who have had a single or an extended play appear in the ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart between the eligibility period, and was voted for by a judging academy, which consists of 1000 members from different areas of the music industry.
[3] 5 Seconds of Summer has won the most awards at three ("She Looks So Perfect" in 2014, "Youngblood" in 2018, "Teeth" in 2020).
Artists which have won the award twice are Silverchair ("Tomorrow" in 1995, "Straight Lines" in 2007), Kylie Minogue ("Where the Wild Roses Grow" in 1996, "Can't Get You Out of My Head" in 2002), Powderfinger ("The Day You Come" in 1999, "My Happiness" in 2001)[4] and Troye Sivan ( ''Youth'' in 2016, ''Rush'' in 2023) From 2012, onwards the winner has instead been determined by the general public.
[5] The nominees are chosen based on the top ten highest selling Australian single releases, based on ARIA chart sales statistics, during the eligibility period.
[6] The public votes are tallied by ARIA, with the winner announced at the awards ceremony.