ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album


The ARIA Music Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album, is an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards, which recognises "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", since 1987. It is handed out by the Australian Recording Industry Association, an organisation whose aim is "to advance the interests of the Australian record industry."
Solo artists and groups are eligible if they are an Australian citizen, have resided in Australia for six months for two consecutive years prior to the awards, or signed to an Australian record label. Only album recordings in the adult contemporary genre are eligible. The nominees and winners are chosen by a judging academy which comprises 1000 members from different areas of the music industry.
John Farnham is the most successful artist in this category with four wins from ten nominations for Whispering Jack, "Touch of Paradise", Romeo's Heart and The Last Time.

Winners and nominees

In the following table, the winner is highlighted in a separate colour, and in boldface; the nominees are those that are not highlighted or in boldface.
YearWinnerAlbum Title
1987
(1st)
--
1987
(1st)
John FarnhamWhispering Jack
1987
(1st)
DragonDreams of Ordinary Men
1987
(1st)
Mondo RockBoom Baby Boom
1987
(1st)
The Reels"Bad Moon Rising"
1987
(1st)
Vince JonesTell Me a Secret
1988
(2nd)
John Farnham"Touch of Paradise"
1989
(3rd)
--
1989
(3rd)
Crowded HouseTemple of Low Men
1989
(3rd)
The Black SorrowsHold On To Me
1989
(3rd)
Kate Ceberano & Wendy MatthewsYou've Always Got the Blues
1989
(3rd)
John FarnhamAge of Reason
1989
(3rd)
Little River BandMonsoon
1990
(4th)
--
1990
(4th)
Stephen CummingsA New Kind of Blue
1990
(4th)
DragonBondi Road
1990
(4th)
Not Drowning, WavingClaim
1990
(4th)
Paul Kelly & The MessengersSo Much Water So Close To Home
1990
(4th)
John WilliamsonWarragul
1991
(5th)
--
1991
(5th)
Vince Jones and Grace KnightCome In Spinner
1991
(5th)
Andrew PendleburyZing Went the Strings
1991
(5th)
Marc HunterNight & Day
1991
(5th)
Original Cast RecordingParis
1991
(5th)
Tommy EmmanuelDare to Be Different
1992
(6th)
--
1992
(6th)
Tommy EmmanuelDetermination
1992
(6th)
Debbie ByrneCaught in the Act
1992
(6th)
Grace KnightStormy Weather
1992
(6th)
Monica & the MoochersCotton on the Breeze
1992
(6th)
John WilliamsonWaratah St
1993
(7th)
--
1993
(7th)
Andrew PendleburyDon't Hold Back That Feeling
1993
(7th)
Marina PriorAspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber
1993
(7th)
Various ArtistsStairways to Heaven
1993
(7th)
Various ArtistsStrictly Ballroom
1993
(7th)
Anthony WarlowOn the Boards
1994
(8th)
--
1994
(8th)
Tommy EmmanuelThe Journey
1994
(8th)
James BlundellTouch of Water
1994
(8th)
Grace KnightGracious
1994
(8th)
Rick Price and Margaret Urlich"Where Is the Love?"
1994
(8th)
The Seekers25 Year Reunion Celebration
1995
(9th)
--
1995
(9th)
My Friend the Chocolate CakeBrood
1995
(9th)
The Black SorrowsLucky Charm
1995
(9th)
Phil Emmanuel and Tommy EmmanuelTerra Firma
1995
(9th)
Dave HoleSteel on Steel
1995
(9th)
Wendy MatthewsThe Witness Tree
1996
(10th)
--
1996
(10th)
John FarnhamRomeo's Heart
1996
(10th)
Kate CeberanoChange
1996
(10th)
Stephen CummingsEscapist
1996
(10th)
Tommy EmmanuelClassical Gas
1996
(10th)
Mick HarveyIntoxicated Man
1997
(11th)
--
1997
(11th)
My Friend The Chocolate CakeGood Luck
1997
(11th)
Annie CrummerSeventh Wave
1997
(11th)
Tommy EmmanuelCan't Get Enough
1997
(11th)
Ed KuepperStarstruck
1997
(11th)
Vika and LindaPrincess Tabu
1998
(12th)
--
1998
(12th)
Archie RoachLooking for Butter Boy
1998
(12th)
David CampbellTaking the Wheel
1998
(12th)
Colin HayTranscendental Highway
1998
(12th)
The KilljoysSun Bright Deep
1998
(12th)
Wendy MatthewsGhosts
1999
(13th)
--
1999
(13th)
Jimmy LittleMessenger
1999
(13th)
Frank BennettCash Landing
1999
(13th)
The Black SorrowsBeat Club
1999
(13th)
John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John and Anthony WarlowHighlights from The Main Event
1999
(13th)
Renée GeyerSweet Life
2000
(14th)
--
2000
(14th)
Karma CountyInto the Land of Promise
2000
(14th)
Marcia HinesThe Time of Our Lives
2000
(14th)
Icecream HandsSweeter Than the Radio
2000
(14th)
Michael SpibyHo's Kitchen
2000
(14th)
Vika and LindaTwo Wings
2001
(15th)
--
2001
(15th)
Mark SeymourOne Eyed Man
2001
(15th)
Jodi PhillisIn Dreams I Live
2001
(15th)
John Farnham[33 1/3 (album)|]
2001
(15th)
Stella One ElevenIn Your Hands
2001
(15th)
Wendy MatthewsBeautiful View
2002
(16th)
--
2002
(16th)
Paul KellyNothing But a Dream
2002
(16th)
Archie RoachSensual Being
2002
(16th)
Jimmy LittleResonate
2002
(16th)
Lisa MillerCar Tape
2002
(16th)
Vika and LindaLove is Mighty Close
2003
(17th)
--
2003
(17th)
John FarnhamThe Last Time
2003
(17th)
Blackeyed SusansShangri-La
2003
(17th)
David BridieHotel Radio
2003
(17th)
The Go-BetweensBright Yellow Bright Orange
2003
(17th)
Renée GeyerTenderland
2004
(18th)
--
2004
(18th)
Paul KellyWays & Means
2004
(18th)
DieselSingled Out
2004
(18th)
Jimmy LittleLife's What You Make It
2004
(18th)
georgeUnity
2004
(18th)
Lisa MillerVersion Originale
2005
(19th)
--
2005
(19th)
The Go-BetweensOceans Apart
2005
(19th)
Architecture in HelsinkiIn Case We Die
2005
(19th)
John Farnham and Tom JonesTogether in Concert
2005
(19th)
Renée GeyerTonight
2005
(19th)
The ChurchEl Momento Descuidado
2006
(20th)
--
2006
(20th)
Bob EvansSuburban Songbook
2006
(20th)
Human NatureReach Out: The Motown Record
2006
(20th)
Tex, Don and CharlieAll Is Forgiven
2006
(20th)
The WhitlamsLittle Cloud
2006
(20th)
Various ArtistsShe Will Have Her Way: The Songs of Tim & Neil Finn
2007
(21st)
--
2007
(21st)
Josh PykeMemories & Dust
2007
(21st)
Art of FightingRunaways
2007
(21st)
Lisa MillerMorning in the Bowl of Night
2007
(21st)
New BuffaloSomewhere, Anywhere
2007
(21st)
Paul KellyStolen Apples
2008
(22nd)
--
2008
(22nd)
The PanicsCruel Guards
2008
(22nd)
Clare BowditchThe Moon Looked On
2008
(22nd)
Jimmy BarnesOut in the Blue
2008
(22nd)
Katie NoonanSkin
2008
(22nd)
Robert ForsterThe Evangelist
2009
(23rd)
--
2009
(23rd)
Josh PykeChimney's Afire
2009
(23rd)
Bob EvansGoodnight, Bull Creek!
2009
(23rd)
David CampbellGood Lovin!
2009
(23rd)
Little BirdyConfetti
2009
(23rd)
Paul DempseyEverything Is True
2010
(24th)
--
2010
(24th)
Crowded HouseIntriguer
2010
(24th)
Angie HartEat My Shadow
2010
(24th)
Jimmy BarnesThe Rhythm and the Blues
2010
(24th)
Lisa MillerCar Tape 2
2010
(24th)
Perry KeyesJohnny Ray's Downtown
2011
(25th)
--
2011
(25th)
Billy ThorpeTangier
2011
(25th)
Colin HayGathering Mercury
2011
(25th)
Damien LeithRoy
2011
(25th)
John FarnhamJack
2011
(25th)
Mark Seymour & the UndertowUndertow
2012
(26th)
--
2012
(26th)
Missy HigginsThe Ol' Razzle Dazzle
2012
(26th)
Darren HayesSecret Codes and Battleships
2012
(26th)
HuskyForever So
2012
(26th)
Josh PykeOnly Sparrows
2012
(26th)
Katie Noonan and Karin SchauppSongs of the Southern Skies
2013
(27th)
--
2013
(27th)
Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsPush the Sky Away
2013
(27th)
Bob EvansFamiliar Stranger
2013
(27th)
Clare BowditchThe Winter I Chose Happiness
2013
(27th)
Josh PykeThe Beginning and the End of Everything
2013
(27th)
Sarah BlaskoI Awake
2014
(28th)
--
2014
(28th)
Neil Finn & Paul KellyGoin' Your Way
2014
(28th)
GosslingHarvest of Gold
2014
(28th)
Kate Miller-HeidkeO Vertigo!
2014
(28th)
Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsLive from KCRW
2014
(28th)
Tina ArenaReset
2015
(29th)
--
2015
(29th)
Oh MercyWhen We Talk About Love
2015
(29th)
John Farnham and Olivia Newton-JohnTwo Strong Hearts Live
2015
(29th)
Megan WashingtonThere There
2015
(29th)
Paul KellyThe Merri Soul Sessions
2015
(29th)
SzymonTigersapp
2016
(30th)
--
2016
(30th)
Bernard FanningCivil Dusk
2016
(30th)
Bob EvansCar Boot Sale
2016
(30th)
Paul KellySeven Sonnets & a Song
2016
(30th)
Robert ForsterSongs to Play
2016
(30th)
Tina ArenaEleven
2017
(31st)
--
2017
(31st)
Paul KellyLife Is Fine
2017
(31st)
Bernard FanningBrutal Dawn
2017
(31st)
D.D DumboUtopia Defeated
2017
(31st)
Nick Cave & the Bad SeedsSkeleton Tree
2017
(31st)
Pete MurrayCamacho
2018
(32nd)
--
2018
(32nd)
Vance JoyNation of Two
2018
(32nd)
Courtney Barnett and Kurt VileLotta Sea Lice
2018
(32nd)
Dan SultanKiller Under a Blood Moon
2018
(32nd)
Missy HigginsSolastalgia
2018
(32nd)
OdetteTo a Stranger
2019
(33rd)
--
2019
(33rd)
Paul KellyNature
2019
(33rd)
Julia JacklinCrushing
2019
(33rd)
Samantha JadeThe Magic of Christmas
2019
(33rd)
Seeker Lover KeeperWild Seeds
2019
(33rd)
The Paper KitesOn the Corner Where You Live
2020
(34th)
--
2020
(34th)
Archie RoachTell Me Why
2020
(34th)
Donny BenétMr Experience
2020
(34th)
GordiOur Two Skins
2020
(34th)
Josh PykeRome
2020
(34th)
Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsGhosteen
2021
(35th)
--
2021
(35th)
Crowded HouseDreamers Are Waiting
2021
(35th)
Big ScaryDaisy
2021
(35th)
Kylie MinogueDisco
2021
(35th)
Nick Cave & Warren EllisCarnage
2021
(35th)
OdetteHerald
2022
(36th)
--
2022
(36th)
Julia JacklinPre Pleasure
2022
(36th)
Alex the AstronautHow to Grow a Sunflower Underwater
2022
(36th)
Missy HigginsTotal Control
2022
(36th)
Vance JoyIn Our Own Sweet Time
2022
(36th)
Vika and LindaThe Wait
2023
(37th)
--
2023
(37th)
Dan SultanDan Sultan
2023
(37th)
Alex LaheyThe Answer Is Always Yes
2023
(37th)
Kate CeberanoMy Life Is a Symphony
2023
(37th)
Mo'JuOro, Plata, Mata
2023
(37th)
Tina ArenaLove Saves
2024
(38th)
--
2024
(38th)
Emily WurramaraNara
2024
(38th)
Angus & Julia StoneCape Forestier
2024
(38th)
Crowded HouseGravity Stairs
2024
(38th)
Emma DonovanTil My Song Is Done
2024
(38th)
Fanning Dempsey National ParkThe Deluge
2025
(39th)
--
2025
(39th)
Missy HigginsThe Second Act
2025
(39th)
Folk Bitch TrioNow Would Be a Good Time
2025
(39th)
GordiLike Plasticine
2025
(39th)
Meg WashingtonGem
2025
(39th)
Paul KellyFever Longing Still