They commenced in 2006 and are awarded in Melbourne Music Week between October and December.
[4] Patrick Donovan started the awards in 2006 to celebrate The Age Entertainment Guide's 21st anniversary.
To be eligible, at least 50% of the act has been living in Victoria for the last two years, or uses Melbourne as a home base.
[6] In 2021, The Awards will introduce a new category to represent the achievements and contributions of disabled and deaf musicians.
[7] The event was held at Prince Bandroom, St Kilda (2006-2011),[1] Billboard (2012-2013),[1] 170 Russell (2014-2017)[8] and The Melbourne Recital Centre (2018–2021) and the Edge Federation Square (2022 to present).