Topic summary
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an Australian honour which recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding service and achievement. It was instituted on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of then-prime minister Gough Whitlam. Before the establishment of the order, Australians could receive British honours, which continued to be issued in parallel until 1992.
Appointments to the order are made by the governor-general, "with the approval of The Sovereign", in accordance with the recommendations of the Council for the Order of Australia. Members of the government are not involved in the recommendation of appointments, other than for military and honorary awards.
The King of Australia is the sovereign head of the order, and the governor-general is the principal companion and chancellor of the order. The governor-general's official secretary, Gerard Martin (appointed 1 July 2024), is secretary of the order.