The Order of Australia celebrates the outstanding achievement, service and dedication of everyday Australians. While the 2023 Kings Birthday Honours and the 2024 Australia Day Honours saw women receive just over half of the General Division level awards, we’re yet to see women nominated equally with men, across all levels.
The Order of Australia must reflect who we are as a nation: our culture, our values, and the individual achievements that we as a society believe deserve to be celebrated. It’s our collective responsibility to ensure we recognise the talented women in our communities as a way to address attitudes towards women and girls and their role in society.
Earlier this year, the Australian Government released Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality, which outlines the government’s vision of: an Australia where people are safe and treated with respect and have choices and access to resources and equal outcomes no matter their gender.
Under the strategy, the government will measure progress across 5 priority areas, including leadership, representation and decision-making, through a range of outcomes. One outcome is that women are recognised equally throughout the Australian honours system.
We know equality cannot be achieved unless women from a range of backgrounds are visibly represented, acknowledged and celebrated in public life. Women contribute to our society in extraordinary and diverse ways every day, and we must ensure these contributions are recognised publicly at the highest levels.
Through the #NominateAWoman hashtag, the Office for Women is challenging gendered stereotypes and attitudes towards women by calling for more women to be nominated across all levels of the Australian honours system.
Everyone should see themselves reflected in the Order of Australia awards. By publicly celebrating the achievements and experiences of women from diverse backgrounds and all industries and sectors across our society, we improve attitudes towards women and address inequality in our society.
Every woman awarded an honour helps address barriers and inspires the next generation to pursue their career aspiration – whether that be in aviation, engineering, building and construction, transport, or other industries where women are under-represented.
Nominations for the Order of Australia are always open. Anyone can make a nomination at any time. All forms of service, achievement and dedication are considered.
Do you know an extraordinary woman? Help showcase Australia’s exceptional women and #NominateAWoman today by visiting Nominate someone for the Order of Australia on the Governor-General’s website.