This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Australian honours and awards system, which includes the Order of Australia, the Australian Bravery Decorations and the National Medal.
Founded on 14 February 1975, the honours and awards system was established to recognise the exceptional service and significant achievements of Australians from all walks of life.
Recipients of Australian honours and awards celebrated the milestone with Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, at Government House in Canberra.
‘Our honours and awards recipients inspire pride and contribution in others … because they embody the very best of us,’ Ms Mostyn said.
Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia: Today, I'm speaking to you from Admiralty House in Sydney on the lands of the Cammeraygal people. I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and I extend that respect to First Nations people on lands across Australia.
In 2025, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australian honours system. As Governor-General, I have the rare privilege, together with the governors and the administrator of the Northern Territory, of presenting the medals and insignia to Australian honours recipients.
It is always a moment of deep significance to see the pride of families and colleagues in those we honour, as they humbly accept recognition. In its half century, more than a million Australians have received membership in the Order of Australia or been recognised for their courage, merit, and service in other national awards, like the Australian Bravery Decorations, the National Emergency Medal and Defence Force Awards.
We all know these people because we live and work with them every day. Collectively, they represent our national story, and individually they are unfailingly inspirational.
If you see someone wearing a pin, ask them about their lives and contribution. I promise that you'll be uplifted. To learn their stories is to be reminded that care, kindness, respect, and contribution to communities across the country are what matter most to all Australians in every sphere of life.
In many cases, these are the unsung heroes whose lives of care for others across the country epitomise a core Australian value. Whether caring for children and young people, walking alongside the most vulnerable and marginalised or volunteering on our behalf to serve communities, responding bravely in disasters and emergencies, working in business and industry, the creative arts and the defence force, in sport and science, and so much more to underpin our hopes for the future.
As writers, teachers, doctors, athletes, actors, scientists, public servants, soldiers and volunteers, our honours and awards recipients inspire pride and contribution in others because they embody the very best of us.
In 2025, Australia has so much to celebrate, and this mighty story is reflected in our honour system. Our story, beginning with 65,000 years of continuous Indigenous culture, together with our stable democracy and institutions of government, representing continuity, and our modern chapter of success, optimism, belonging and progress, underpinned and made possible by over half a century of remarkable multiculturalism. I'm so optimistic for what the next 50 years of honours and awards will reflect about our modern and diverse Australian community.
I encourage all Australians to nominate people for recognition. The honours belong to all of us, and we all have a role to play to ensure that selfless, hardworking, and extraordinary Australians are recognised. Don't wait. If you know someone who has made a difference to your community or their community, nominate them today. Let's actively celebrate 50 years of our honour system and the remarkable Australians that have been recognised.
Happy birthday to our honour system.
One of the things that makes our honours system so special is that community members nominate their fellow Australians.
Any Australian – regardless of age, ability, heritage, origin, background or status – can be nominated for an award.
In the past 50 years, more than 1 million people have received honours across 60 awards. These awards recognise people who make a significant impact, serve their communities and exemplify the values of unity and compassion.
The best-known award in our honours system is the Order of Australia. It is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Australia or humanity at large through their achievements and merit. We celebrate awardees in January and June each year.
Learn more about the Australian honours and awards system.