Australian Honours and Awards

Order of Australia Award Nominations

Who can be nominated to receive Awards in The Order of Australia?

• Any Australian citizen can be nominated to receive an Award in recognition for outstanding achievement and service. Recipients of the Order of Australia are from many fields of endeavour and all walks of life.
• Any non-citizen can be nominated for an ‘honorary’ Award.

Who can nominate people for Awards?

• Any Australian can nominate a person for an Award.

Who selects recipients of Awards?

• The independent Council of The Order of Australia conducts the selection process and makes recommendations to the Governor-General.

What awards are there in The Order of Australian Honours System?

• Order of Australia Nomination Process and Information
• Nominate via the online portal
• If you need help to complete your nomination call (02) 6283 3604 (business hours – AEST/AEDT) or email [email protected] .

Tips

• 2026 – Order of Australia Association National Conference Address by Shelley Reys AO, Chair, Council for the Order of Australia Council. | Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
• The Honourable Shane L Stone AC PGDK KC. – Chairman of the Council for The Order of Australia February 2018 – October 2022 

About the Award

The Order of Australia has four levels:

• Companion of the Order (AC)
• Officer of the Order (AO)
• Member of the Order (AM), and
• Medal of the Order (OAM).

How it is awarded

The Order of Australia is the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens.

Nominations for awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia come directly from the community.

Once a nomination is submitted, the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat at Government House in Canberra conduct further research and contact referees.

Nominations are considered by the Council of the Order of Australia which makes recommendations direct to the Governor-General.

Appointments in the Order of Australia are not made posthumously. However, a nomination will be considered if the person is alive when the nomination form is received by the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat at Government House in Canberra.

Awards in the Order of Australia are generally announced on Australia Day (26 January) and the King’s Birthday public holiday (June).

Current August 2026