Australian Honours and Awards

Honours help define, encourage and reinforce national aspirations, ideals and standards by identifying role models. The Australian 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.

The Australian Honours and Awards system includes: 

• The Order of Australia recognising Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. 
• Meritorious Awards recognising outstanding and distinguished service by public servants, members of the Australian police force, fire, ambulance, corrections, intelligence or emergency service, or Australian Antarctic expedition.
• Military Awards: Gallantry Decorations recognising heroic courage in action; Distinguished Service Decorations recognising service in warlike operations; Conspicuous Service Decorations recognising service in non-warlike situations.
• Australian Bravery Decorations recognising acts of bravery where people selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.

Nominations 

Anyone can nominate someone to be recognised through the Order of Australia for outstanding achievement, making a difference and service by members of our community at the local, national or international level.

Nominations can be submitted at any time during the year.

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 of the Commonwealth of Australia. 

Announcements

The Australian Honours announcements are made twice a year on Australia Day (January) and the King's Birthday (June). 

The Australian Bravery Decorations announcements are made twice a year in March and August.

For more information about the awards, nominations and to view the Australian Honours List and Order of Australia Award recipients, visit the Australian Honours and Awards website.