Every year the ARIA awards introduce growing numbers of alternative music fans to what is happening in Australian mainstream music.
With the distribution and circulation of music increasingly in the hands of independent music producers rather than industry professionals, the authority of traditional judging institutions comes under intensified scrutiny. Music fans are interested to know what determines status and value according to the ARIA judging academy, especially when prestigious awards are only open to ARIA members. In 2010, the ARIAs introduced public voting in four categories: Most Popular Australian Album, Most Popular Australian Artist, Most Popular Australian Single and Most Popular International Artist. Online voting is conducted here.
