ARIA Award for Best Female Artist

The ARIA Music Award for Best Female Artist, is an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards, which recognises "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres",[1] since 1987. It is handed out by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), an organisation whose aim is "to advance the interests of the Australian record industry."[2]

To be eligible, the female artist must meet one of the following criteria: be an Australian citizen; be born in Australia; be a permanent resident or have applied for permanent residency (having lived in Australia for at least six months for two consecutive years prior to the awards and signed to an Australian record label in the case of an applicant); if they are from New Zealand they must have lived in Australia for at least six months for two consecutive years prior to the awards and signed to an Australian record label.[3]

The ARIA Award for Best Female Artist is given to a female artist who have had a single or an album appear in the ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart between the eligibility period, and is voted for by a judging academy, which consists of 1000 members from different areas of the music industry.[3]

The award for Best Female Artist was first presented to Jenny Morris in 1987. Wendy Matthews, Sia and Kasey Chambers hold the record for the most wins, with three each, followed by Morris, Kate Ceberano, Natalie Imbruglia, Missy Higgins and Kimbra with two. Kylie Minogue has received 14 nominations, more than any other artist, winning one in 2001 for her album Light Years (2000).

Jenny Morris won twice for "You're Gonna Get Hurt" in 1987 and in 1988 for Body and Soul (1987).

Deborah Conway won in 1992 for String of Pearls (1991).

Tina Arena won in 1995 for Don't Ask (1994).

Christine Anu won in 1996 for "Come On".

Monique Brumby won in 1997 for "Mary".

Natalie Imbruglia won twice for Left of the Middle (1997) in 1998 and "Wishing I Was There" in 1999.

Along with Wendy Matthews, Kasey Chambers has the most wins with three in 2000, 2002 and 2004 for "The Captain", Barricades & Brickwalls (2001) and Wayward Angel (2004), respectively.

Kylie Minogue has been nominated the most in this category with 14, winning once for Light Years (2001).

Delta Goodrem won this award for Innocent Eyes (2003).

Missy Higgins won twice for The Sound of White (2004) and On a Clear Night (2007).

Clare Bowditch won in 2006 for What Was Left (2005).

Gabriella Cilmi received the award in 2008 for Lessons to Be Learned (2008).

Sarah Blasko won for As Day Follows Night (2009).

Megan Washington won for I Believe You Liar (2010).