Knight/Dame of the
Order of Australia

Companion of the
Order of Australia

Officer of the
Order of Australia

Member of the
Order of Australia

Medal of the
Order of Australia

Knight of the Order of Australia (Knight/Dame A.K./A.D., Companion A.C., Officer A.O., Member A.M., Medal O.A.M.)

"From 1976 to 1986 there was provision for the appointment of Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia. Removal of this provision does not affect pre-existing appointments. Knights and Dames are above Companion in the Order of Precedence. "

The Order of Australia was instituted with both a General Division and a Military Division. The two divisions are distinguished by a different ribbon.

All classes of the order (Companion, Officer, Member and Medal of the Order) are available in both divisions. The eligibility criteria for the equivalent classes in the two divisions require similar levels of achievement, but those for the Military Division are designed to reflect military service.

An individual may hold awards in both divisions and is entitled to wear the insignia of both. Appointments in the General Division take precedence over the equivalent appointment in the Military Division.

Insignia

The insignia of the order is a single flower head of mimosa, in the form of a convex disc. This provides the basic design for the insignia of all grades and the medal of the order, including lapel pins. There is no distinction between the insignia of the General or Military Divisions.

Ribbon

The ribbon is royal blue with a central band of scattered gold mimosa. The ribbon of the Military Division is of the same design but edged with gold bands 1.5 mm wide. The ribbon colours reflect the national colours of Australia at the time the order was established.

Postnominal

Persons appointed to the Order of Australia are entitled to the postnominal letters ‘AK', AC’, ‘AO’, ‘AM’ or ‘OAM’ according to the level of the appointment. ‘(Mil)’ may be added to distinguish an appointment in the Military Division by those who also hold an appointment in General Division.