[1] Sponsored by the monthly classical arts magazine Limelight, they were the only publicly voted awards of their kind in Australia.
[2] The Limelight Award winners are voted on from a shortlist of entries selected by an expert panel of Limelight critics and ABC Classic FM staff over ten categories.
These categories included Music Personality of the Year, Best Newcomer and Best Orchestral, Chamber and Solo performances.
From this shortlist the public were then invited to select and vote for their favourite musicians.
The Limelight Awards were distinctly unique, being the only classical music awards in Australia where the public are invited to help recognise well-loved musicians.