The Australian honours system began in 1975 with the creation of the Order of Australia, the Australian Bravery Decorations and the National Medal. It was established to recognise outstanding achievement and service to the nation by its citizens and other persons. There are several different types of awards, each one recognising a particular contribution.

Awards in the Order of Australia are the most significant way of recognising Australians for their achievements and service to their country and fellow citizens. The award can be for achievement in many different fields of endeavour.

The Order of Australia and the Australian Bravery Decorations are unique in that they were designed for anyone in the community to make nominations. The nomination forms can be found online.

The Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community. People might be awarded an Australian Bravery Decorations if they selflessly put themselves in a risky or hazardous situation in order to protect the lives or property of others. There are four levels of decoration:

• Cross of Valour (CV)
• Star of Courage (SC)
• Bravery Medal (BM)
• Commendation for Brave Conduct

There is also the Group Bravery Citation - an award for a group of people involved in a single incident.

The Cross of Valour is the highest Australian Bravery Decoration and is awarded for acts of courage that stand out from others while in extremely dangerous and hazardous circumstances.

The Victoria Cross for Australia is the most important and significant award for acts of bravery in wartime, and is Australia’s highest military honour.  It is awarded to persons who, in the presence of the enemy, display the most obvious and clear acts of heroism or bravery, daring acts of fearless courage, self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty.

Some of the places where you will find inspirational stories of honoured Australians are: online at www.itsanhonour.gov.au, in newspapers, or at your local or state library.  Australian honours are the nation’s way of saying thank you and provide role models for the community.

Each year, hundreds of Australians, from community volunteers to scholars, earn our gratitude and are presented with their honours.  Some recipients of awards are invited to receive the insignia of their award at a ceremony called an investiture.  The Governor-General, state Governors and the Administrator of the Northern Territory conduct the ceremonies. If appropriate, Australian ambassadors and high commissioners can also carry out ceremonies overseas.

The awards are presented on behalf of all Australians to recognise those people who have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service in ways that bring special credit to our nation. 

• Leadership – a capacity for showing the way forward and making things happen
• Tolerance, justice and fairness – a ‘fair go’
• Selflessness in responding to the needs of others and the community generally
• Creativity and ingenuity

The Australian honours system reflects the national values and characteristics of Australians.