| 1989 ARIA Music Awards | |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 March 1989 |
| Venue | Darling Harbour Convention Centre, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Most awards | Crowded House (4) |
| Most nominations |
|
| Website | ariaawards |
The Third Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as the ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) was held on 6 March 1989 at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre in Sydney.[1][2] First Australian host Greedy Smith of Mental As Anything was assisted by presenters George Martin, Jono & Dano, Barry Bissell of Take 40 Australia, Peter Collins, Peter Jamieson, Jonathan King and Brian Smith to distribute 24 awards.[1][3] There were no live performances and the awards were not televised.[1]
Some significant changes were made for the third ARIA Awards. In addition to previous categories, Best Independent Release, Breakthrough Artist – Single and Breakthrough Artist – Album were added.[1][3] The ARIA Hall of Fame inducted two artists: Dame Nellie Melba and Ross Wilson.[1] An Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to INXS.[1] Music journalist, Anthony O'Grady cited ARIA spokesperson Peter Rix, who had felt that The Church's win Single of the Year with "Under the Milky Way" was a highlight.[3] Rix elaborated, "the industry was capable of judging music on its merit, not by who'd recorded it. The Church were no one's darlings but they had written a great song."[3]