On Tuesday 30 January 2018, following the departure of the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) from Australia on an Official Visit to the Republic of Nauru, the proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC.

In the afternoon, at Nauru International Airport, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove were welcomed by the Minister Assisting the President of the Republic of Nauru, the Honourable David Adeang MP.

On Monday 29 January 2018, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Mr Kyoung-ha Woo.

On Saturday 27 January 2018, at Moore Park, Sydney, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as Patron of Australian Rugby Union (ARU), and Lady Cosgrove as guests of Chief Executive Officer ARU, Ms Raelene Castle ONZM, attended the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Sydney Series.

On Friday 26 January 2018, at Commonwealth Park, Canberra, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as the Host Officer, and Lady Cosgrove attended the National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony. During the Ceremony, 32 conferees from 18 different countries were formally welcomed as new Australian citizens.

On Wednesday 24 January 2018, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove hosted a reception for the Australian of the Year Award 2018 finalists.

On Friday 19 January 2018, at the Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre, Canberra, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as guest of the Director, Questacon, Professor Graham Durant AM, attended the National Questacon Invention Convention.

Afterwards, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a reception for students and supporters of the Engineering Aid Australia’s Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School.

On Friday 5 January 2018, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Chairman Cricket Australia, Mr David Peever, attended Day Two of the Magellan Ashes Sydney Test Match between Australia and England.

Afterwards, at the Sydney Opera House, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of Mr Rory Jeffes, Chief Executive Officer, Opera Australia, attended the opening performance of ‘The Merry Widow’.

On Thursday 4 January 2018, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as guest of the Chairman of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, Mr Tony Shepherd AO, attended Day One of the Magellan Ashes Sydney Test Match between Australia and England.

Afterwards, at Kingaroy Town Hall, Queensland, the Governor-General was represented at the State Funeral for the late Lady Florence Isabel Bjelke-Petersen, by Honorary Aide-de-Camp Group Captain Simon Sauer AM CSC ADC.

On Sunday 31 December 2017, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, hosted a New Year’s Eve reception for the Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) Disability Services NSW volunteers and clients.

On Wednesday 20 December 2017, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided at meetings of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General issued the Instruments of Appointment of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to their respective offices.