The Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat is located at Government House, Canberra and was first established within the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General in 1975 when the Australian honours system was instituted.

Its role is to provide the support necessary for the Governor-General to carry out his/her responsibilities relating to the independent administration of the Australian honours system.

The Official Secretary to the Governor-General, in practice, serves as the Secretary of the Order of Australia, the Australian Bravery Decorations Council and the National Emergency Medal Committee.

Under direction from the Secretary, the Secretariat serves the Council for the Order of Australia, the Australian Bravery Decorations Council and the National Emergency Medal Committee which consider nominations and make recommendations for awards to the Governor-General.

The Secretariat plays an important role in maintaining the high standards of the honours system by ensuring that thorough and comprehensive information and comment is available for the relevant advisory councils regarding the contribution made by nominees.

As well, it is responsible for administering more than 40 other awards that comprise the Australian honours system. This includes processing recommendations for approval for defence, meritorious and long service awards.

The Secretariat also arranges for the publication of the Honours lists twice a year, ensures availability of insignia and warrants for presentation to recipients at the Investitures and maintains the registers of all honours conferred within the Australian system since it commenced in 1975.

Further information on the background to the establishment of awards within the Australian Honours System including Order of Australia and the Australian Bravery Decorations may be found on the Australian Honours web-site (www.itsanhonour.gov.au).