General News
12 June, 2026
Honours list celebrates service and achievement
The King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List recognises 949 Australians, including professors, doctors, politicians, and community leaders.
Among the 702 individuals honoured in the General Division of the Order of Australia are former Australian Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja, the late Professor Katrina Allen, a paediatric allergist and gastroenterologist researcher, and animal welfare advocate Professor Grahame Coleman.
The list also recognises 34 recipients in the Military Division of the Order of Australia, 149 Meritorious awardees, and 63 Conspicuous awardees.
Honourees are nominated by the Australian community and recommended to the Governor-General by the independent Council for the Order of Australia.
“As Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, I am delighted to announce and congratulate the remarkable Australians receiving honours in the 2026 King’s Birthday list,” the Governor-General, Sam Mostyn AC, said.
“Our honours system recognises outstanding people who contribute so much to Australia. In our communities, in workplaces and across the country, recipients have made an exceptional contribution to Australia.
“Just like those honoured across the past 50 years, their service and achievement in the community and public service, industry and academia, science, the arts and sport help shape our nation.
“The work of our award recipients, and the contributions of the thousands of Australians who have been nominated and recognised throughout the history of our honours system, is something we can take great pride in celebrating.”
There are 471 male and 229 female recipients, and two people who use different terms.
Ms Mostyn AC encouraged people from across the community to consider nominating exceptional women for recognition.
“Every Australian, regardless of their gender, social, cultural or economic background, should be able to look at the honours List and see themselves,” the Governor-General said.