About Us

Welcome to the Website of The Order of Australia Association.  Our Association was founded in Canberra on Saturday 26 January 1980.

The Order of Australia

The Order of Australia, instituted by Her Majesty The Queen on 14 February 1975, was established as " an Australian society of honour for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service".

The Order is administered by the Honours Secretariat at Government House Canberra.  The Order consists of The Sovereign, The Governor-General of Australia (The Chancellor of the Order), The Prince of Wales, The Official Secretary to the Governor-General (The Secretary of the Order) and recipients who have received awards.  A link to The Governor-General's website is here

Awards in the Order are made within the following broad categories...

General Division

Australian citizens, including members of the Australian Defence Force, are eligible to receive awards in the General Division.  Persons other than Australian citizens may receive honorary awards in the Order; honorary awards are rare and are made on the initiative of the Prime Minister.

Military Division

Members of the Australian Defence Force are eligible to receive awards in the Order of Australia in the Military Division.  Members of the armed forces of countries other than Australia are eligible for honorary awards in the Order of Australia in the Military Division.

The Order of Australia Association

The Order of Australia Association is a separate identity being an incorporated Association of recipients of awards in the Order.

To foster love of and pride in Australian citizenship and to uphold the high principles and prestige of the Order of Australia
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