Australian Honours and Awards

Overview

The Australian Honours and Awards system recognises the outstanding service and contributions of Australians.

Recipients come from right across the country and from all walks of life. While some are well-known, the majority are unsung heroes.

While typically they haven’t sought thanks or recognition, they deserve both. The Honours and Awards system gives the nation a chance to celebrate and acknowledge those who work tirelessly to improve local communities and to make Australia a better place.

Any Australian can nominate someone for an award. Nominations are assessed by the Honours and Awards Secretariat, considered by the Council of the Order of Australia before recommendations are made to the Governor-General.

The Australian Honours and Awards system includes:

The Order of Australia;
Meritorious Awards;
Military Awards (Gallantry Decorations, Distinguished Service Decorations, Conspicuous Service Decorations); and
Australian Bravery Decorations.

Recent Order of Australia lists

Order of Australia announcements are made in January and June. If you are not sure in which list someone was recognised, or the level of award they received, search the database to find a recipient.

Australian honours and awards statistics

The Honours and Awards Secretariat periodically publishes a report on the last 5 years of its operations. The most recent report, covering the financial years 2017-2021, is available here.