Luke Steele of Empire the Sun arrives at the 2009 ARIA awards in Sydney on Thursday. The duo won best album and best group at the awards gala. (Rob Griffith/Associated Press)

Empire of the Sun, an electro-pop duo from Perth, Australia, were big winners at the ARIA Awards on Thursday in Sydney.

The group, who have had a winning year with the release of their album Walking on a Dream, took the awards for album of the year, single of the year, best pop recording and best group at Australia's music awards. ARIA stands for Australian Record Industry Association.

Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore have been making music together for 15 years, but this is the first time they've earned widespread acclaim and international exposure.

"It's been 15 years of working for the love of music, so I'm ready for the big table," Steel said in accepting the best group award.

Empire of the Sun triumphed over rock veterans AC/DC in the album and group categories, but AC/DC took the best rock album trophy for their current album, Black Ice.

Sydney singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko earned the best female artist Aria after the release of her album As Day Follows Night.

Australian Idol runner-up Jessica Mauboy had gone into the awards ceremony with seven nominations, including best female artist, but ended up with just one award, best-selling single for Running Back.

Best male artist was soul singer Daniel Merriweather, who hails from Melbourne and released his debut album, Love & War, earlier this year.

New Zealand-born Ladyhawke, who now is based in Australia, won the award for breakthrough artist and breakthrough single.

With files from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation