What is the Order of Australia?

The Order of Australia is the country's principal civilian honour, established by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 February 1975 on the advice of the Whitlam Labor government. It recognises Australians who have made outstanding contributions to the nation in fields ranging from science, the arts, and sport to community service and military achievement.

The Order has four levels in its General Division: Companion (AC), Officer (AO), Member (AM), and Medal (OAM). The Companion is the highest level and is reserved for the most distinguished service to Australia or to humanity. There is also a Military Division with equivalent ranks for serving members of the Australian Defence Force. The Order is administered by the Council for the Order of Australia, an independent body chaired by a former Governor-General, which considers nominations from members of the public and recommends recipients to the Governor-General.

Honours are announced twice a year, on Australia Day on 26 January and on the King's Birthday public holiday in June. Recipients are later invested in formal ceremonies at Government House in Canberra or at state Government Houses by the Governor-General or the relevant Governor. As of 2026, more than 38,000 Australians have been recognised through the Order of Australia, including former prime ministers, scientists like Peter Doherty and Elizabeth Blackburn, sports figures like Cathy Freeman, and tens of thousands of community volunteers.

The Order replaced the British Imperial honours system that had operated in Australia since federation. From 1975 onwards, Australians have been recognised through the Order of Australia rather than through British knighthoods or peerages, although a brief return to imperial knighthoods between 2014 and 2015 under Prime Minister Tony Abbott was reversed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The riband of the Order is gold with a thin band of dark green, drawing on the national colours.