Order of Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Order of Australia |
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Insignia of knights and dames of the Order of Australia
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| Awarded by the Monarch of Australia | |
| Type | National order |
| Eligibility | All living Australian citizens |
| Awarded for | Achievement and merit in service to Australia or humanity |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Founder | Elizabeth II |
| Sovereign Head | Charles III, King of Australia |
| Chancellor | David Hurley, Governor-General |
| Grades |
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| Former grades | Knight/Dame (AK/AD) |
| Statistics | |
| First induction | 14 April 1975 |
| Last induction | 2024 King's Birthday Honours |
| Total inductees |
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_BAR.svg){kind=small} _BAR.svg){kind=small} Ribbons: general division; military division |
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The Order of Australia is a special honour given to Australian citizens and others. It recognises people who have done amazing things and provided great service to Australia or the world. Elizabeth II, who was the Queen of Australia, created this award on 14 February 1975. Before this, Australians sometimes received British honours.
The Monarch of Australia (currently Charles III) is the main leader of the Order. The Governor-General of Australia is also a very important person in the Order, acting as its chancellor. Awards are given out by the Governor-General, based on suggestions from a group called the Council of the Order of Australia.
Contents
What are the Levels of the Order?
The Order of Australia has different levels, like ranks, and is split into two main groups: a general group and a military group. The five main levels, from highest to lowest, are:
- Knight and Dame of the Order of Australia (AK and AD) – These levels are no longer given out.
- Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) – Only a limited number of these can be given each year (currently 35).
- Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) – Up to 140 of these can be given each year.
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM) – Up to 605 of these can be given each year.
- Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) – There is no limit to how many of these can be awarded.
Special awards, called "honorary awards," can be given to people who are not Australian citizens. These do not count towards the yearly limits.
What Do the Awards Look Like?
The badge of the Order of Australia is a round, curved disc. It looks like the Golden Wattle flower, which is Australia's national flower. In the middle of the badge, there's a ring with the word 'Australia' and two golden wattle branches. The top of the badge has a small crown.
- The highest badges (AK, AD, AC) are gold and have special jewels called citrines.
- The AO badge is similar but without the citrines.
- The AM badge has only the crown coloured.
- The OAM badge is plain.
Knights and Dames also receive a special star badge. It's a gold disc with citrines and a blue centre showing Australia's coat of arms.
The ribbon for the award is blue with a golden wattle pattern in the middle. For military awards, the ribbon also has golden stripes along the edges. Men usually wear their badges on a ribbon around their neck or on their left chest. Women usually wear them on a bow on their left shoulder, but they can choose to wear them like men if they prefer.
A small gold pin is also given with each award. This pin can be worn every day. The pins also have different designs based on the award level. The famous designer Stuart Devlin created the look of these awards.
Who Gets These Honours?
The Order of Australia currently has four main levels and a medal. The Knight/Dame level was stopped in 2015. Awards can be given in either the "general" group or the "military" group.
While state governors can present the Officer, Member, and Medal awards, only the King of Australia or the Governor-General of Australia can present the Companion level awards (and previously the Knight/Dame level).
How are Awards Decided?
The different levels of the Order are given based on how much a person has achieved and how important their service has been:
Knight/Dame (1976–1986, 2014–2015)
This award was for "extraordinary and top-level achievement and service to Australia or to all people." It was not given in the military group. Only a few of these were awarded each year. This level was given from 1976 to 1986, and then again from 2014 to 2015, but it is not awarded anymore.
Companion (AC)
This award is for "excellent and top-level achievement and service to Australia or to all people." For the military group, it's for "excellent service in very important jobs." The number of Companions awarded each year has increased over time, now up to 35.
Officer (AO)
This award is for "important service of a high level to Australia or to all people." For the military group, it's for "important service in responsible jobs." The number of Officers awarded each year has also increased, now up to 140.
Member (AM)
This award is for "service in a specific area or to a particular group." For the military group, it's for "outstanding service or doing duties well." The number of Members awarded each year has also increased, now up to 365.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
This award is for "service that deserves special recognition." For the military group, it's for "good service or doing duties well." There is no limit to how many Medals can be awarded.
How Do People Get Nominated?
Since 1976, any Australian citizen can suggest someone for an Order of Australia award. People who are not Australian citizens can also receive honorary awards.
Nomination forms are sent to the Governor-General's office. Then, a group called the Council for the Order of Australia reviews them. This Council includes people chosen by the Prime Minister and representatives from each state and territory.
The Council suggests people to the Governor-General. Awards are usually announced on Australia Day (26 January) and on the King's Birthday public holiday in June. The Governor-General presents the awards to the new recipients.
Awards are not given to people after they have passed away. However, if someone accepts an award and then dies before it's announced, the award still counts. People can also choose to give up their award, or the Council can suggest that an award be taken away.
All awards, cancellations, and resignations are publicly announced. The details of nominations are kept private.
History of the Order
How It Started
The Order of Australia was officially created on 14 February 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II of Australia. At first, it had three levels: Companion (AC), Officer (AO), and Member (AM), with a Civil Division and a Military Division.
In 1976, two new levels were added: Knight (AK) and Dame (AD), along with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). The Civil Division was also renamed the General Division. The Knight/Dame level was only given in the General Division.
The Order of Australia was inspired by the Order of Canada. However, Australia has given out more honorary awards to people who are not citizens compared to Canada.
Knights and Dames
The Knight/Dame level was removed in 1986 by Prime Minister Bob Hawke. People who had already received these titles kept them.
Then, in 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott brought back the Knight/Dame level. Up to four Knights or Dames could be appointed each year. Five people received these awards during this time, including the Governor-General and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip's award caused some discussion.
In November 2015, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that the Knight/Dame level would be stopped again. People who already had these titles were not affected.
Current Leaders of the Order
- Sovereign Head: The King of Australia (Charles III)
- Chancellor and Principal Companion: The Governor-General of Australia (David Hurley)
- Secretary: The Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia (Paul Singer)
King Charles III was made a Knight of the Order of Australia in 1981 when he was the Prince of Wales. Even though he was not an Australian citizen, a special change was made to allow him to receive this honour.
Honorary Awards
The Order of Australia sometimes gives awards to people who are not Australian citizens. These are called "honorary awards" and recognise amazing achievements. These people or their achievements are not always linked to Australia, but they often are.
Some famous people who have received honorary awards include:
- Honorary Companion: Many notable people have received this, such as those listed in the List of Honorary Companions of the Order of Australia.
- Honorary Officer: Mel Gibson, Clive Lloyd, U.S. General David Petraeus, and James Wolfensohn.
- Honorary Member: John Williams, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Robyn Williams.
- Sometimes, an honorary award can become a full award if the person later becomes an Australian citizen, like Terri Irwin.
Women in the Order
Since 1975, about 30% of the people who have received an Order of Australia honour have been women. The number of women receiving awards is growing. In 2023, nearly half of the awards went to women. Groups are working to encourage more nominations for women to achieve equal representation.
Order of Australia Association
The Order of Australia Association was created in 1980. People who receive awards can join this group. Its goal is to support members and encourage more Australians to be nominated for the Order. The Association also has a foundation that gives scholarships to students who show leadership potential and are involved in their communities. There are branches of the association across Australia and in other countries.
Images for kids
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King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) wearing the insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia, 1983
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Queen Elizabeth II wearing the insignia of the Sovereign of the Order of Australia
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The neck badge of a Knight of the Order of Australia appeared at the base of the coat of arms of Sir Ninian Stephen.
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Chart of the percentage of Order of Australia honours awarded to women in each year since 1975
