Designations and Insignia Ordinance
as amended
made under section 30 of the
Constitution of the Order of Australia
This compilation was prepared on 21 May 2009
taking into account amendments up to Changes to the Designations and Insignia Ordinance (dated 17 August 1993)
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra
Short title (see Note 1)
1 This Ordinance may be cited as the Designations and Insignia Ordinance.
Interpretation
2 (1) In this Ordinance, “Constitution” means the Constitution of the Order of Australia.
(2) Unless the contrary intention appears, an expression used in the Constitution and in this Ordinance has the same meaning in this Ordinance as in the Constitution.
Designations of members of the Order of Australia and of holders of the Medal of the Order of Australia
3 A member of the Order of Australia or a person awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia is entitled —
(a) in the case of a Knight or Dame — to use the title “Sir” or “Dame”, as the case may be, before his or her name;
(b) in the case of a Knight or Dame, or honorary Knight or Dame —
(i) to have the letters “AK” or “AD”, as the case may be, placed after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and
(ii) to wear as a decoration the prescribed insignia for Knights of the Order or Dames of the Order, as the case may be;
(c) in the case of a Companion, or honorary Companion —
(i) to have the letters “AC” placed after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and
(ii) to wear as a decoration the prescribed insignia for Companions of the Order;
(d) in the case of an Officer, or honorary Officer —
(i) to have the letters “AO” placed after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and
(ii) to wear as a decoration the prescribed insignia for Officers of the Order;
(e) in the case of a Member, or honorary Member —
(i) to have the letters “AM” placed after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and
(ii) to wear as a decoration the prescribed insignia for Members of the Order;
(f) in the case of the holder of the Medal of the Order —
(i) to have the letters “OAM” placed after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary; and
(ii) to wear as a decoration the prescribed insignia for holders of the Medal of the Order.
4 (1) A person, previously appointed to the Order at the level of Member or Officer in either the General Division or in the Military Division who is subsequently appointed to a higher class of membership in the same Division, shall place after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary, the letters of the higher award only.
(2) A holder of the Medal of the Order in either the General Division or in the Military Division who is subsequently appointed to the Order at any level in the same Division, shall place after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary, the letters of the higher award only.
5 (1) A person, previously appointed to the Order at the level of Member or Officer in either the General Division or in the Military Division who is subsequently appointed to a higher class of membership in the other Division, may identify the two awards by placing after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary, the letters of both awards adding explanatory parentheses to the lower award, for example AC, AO (Mil).
(2) A holder of the Medal of the Order in either the General Division or in the Military Division who is subsequently appointed to the Order at any level in the other Division, may identify the two awards by placing after his or her name on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary, the letters of both awards adding explanatory parentheses to the lower award, for example AM, OAM (Gen).
Notes to the Designations and Insignia Ordinance
Note 1
The Designations and Insignia Ordinance (in force under section 30 of the Constitution of the Order of Australia) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.
Table of Instruments
Title | Date of notification
in Gazette | Date of
commencement | Application, saving or
transitional provisions |
Designations and Insignia Ordinance | 15 Apr 1986 (see Gazette 1986, No. S167) | 12 Mar 1986 | |
Changes to the Designations and Insignia Ordinance | 19 Aug 1993 (see Gazette 1993,
No. S256) | 17 Aug 1993 | — |
Table of Amendments
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted |
Provision affected | How affected |
S. 4................. | ad. 1993 No. S256 |
S. 5................. | ad. 1993 No. S256 |
Overview
The Designations and Insignia Ordinance, enacted in 1986, governs the use of titles, letters, and insignia by members of the Order of Australia and recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia. This legislation was introduced to provide a structured framework for recognising the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to Australia and its people. The Ordinance was made under the authority of section 30 of the Constitution of the Order of Australia by the relevant legislature, ensuring that the awards are bestowed with due recognition and respect. The policy objective is to maintain the integrity and prestige of the honours system by clearly defining the entitlements of recipients, thereby ensuring that the awards are used appropriately and with the proper decorum.
Scope and Application
The Designations and Insignia Ordinance, which applies under section 30 of the Constitution of the Order of Australia, governs the use of titles and insignia by members of the Order of Australia and holders of the Medal of the Order of Australia. This legislation applies to individuals who have been appointed to various classes within the Order of Australia, including Knights, Dames, Companions, Officers, and Members, as well as those who have been awarded the Medal of the Order. The Ordinance specifies the titles and insignia that each class of member is entitled to use, and provides rules for how these designations should be displayed when appropriate. For example, a Companion of the Order can use the letters "AC" after their name and wear the Companion insignia, while a Member can use "AM" and wear the Member insignia. The Ordinance also addresses situations where an individual is appointed to a higher class within the same division or a different division, detailing how multiple designations should be indicated. The application of this Ordinance is national in scope, applying across Australia, and it is subject to amendments as outlined in the Tables of Instruments and Amendments.
Key Provisions
The Designations and Insignia Ordinance (Ordinance) sets out the rules for the use of titles and insignia by members of the Order of Australia and holders of the Medal of the Order of Australia. According to Section 3 of the Ordinance, a member of the Order or a person awarded the Medal of the Order is entitled to use specific titles and wear insignia corresponding to their level of membership or award. For example, a Knight or Dame can use the title "Sir" or "Dame" before their name and wear the insignia for Knights or Dames of the Order (Section 3(a) and (b)). Similarly, a Companion, Officer, or Member can use the letters "AC," "AO," or "AM" after their name, respectively, and wear the insignia for Companions, Officers, or Members of the Order (Section 3(c) to (e)). Holders of the Medal of the Order can use the letters "OAM" after their name and wear the insignia for holders of the Medal of the Order (Section 3(f)). Furthermore, if a person is appointed to a higher class of membership in the same Division, they must use the letters of the higher award only (Section 4). If they are appointed to a higher class of membership in another Division, they may identify both awards by placing the letters of both awards, adding explanatory parentheses to the lower award (Section 5).
The Ordinance imposes obligations on members of the Order of Australia and holders of the Medal of the Order of Australia to use the appropriate titles and insignia corresponding to their level of membership or award. It is essential that they use the correct titles and insignia in formal and informal settings to maintain the prestige and recognition associated with these honours. Failure to comply with the Ordinance's requirements may result in a breach of etiquette and potentially damage the reputation of the individual and the Order of Australia.
Breaches of the Designations and Insignia Ordinance may not necessarily result in criminal or civil penalties. However, there may be consequences for individuals who misuse the titles and insignia associated with the Order of Australia. The misuse of titles and insignia may lead to disciplinary action or revocation of membership or award by the Order of Australia. Additionally, individuals who misuse the titles and insignia may face reputational damage and social consequences, such as being ostracised by their peers or the public. It is essential to adhere to the Ordinance's requirements to maintain the prestige and recognition associated with the Order of Australia.
In summary, the Designations and Insignia Ordinance sets out the rules for the use of titles and insignia by members of the Order of Australia and holders of the Medal of the Order of Australia. Members and holders are required to use the appropriate titles and insignia corresponding to their level of membership or award. Failure to comply with the Ordinance's requirements may result in reputational damage and social consequences. While there may not be criminal or civil penalties for breaches of the Ordinance, disciplinary action or revocation of membership or award may result from misuse of the titles and insignia. It is essential to adhere to the Ordinance's requirements to maintain the prestige and recognition associated with the Order of Australia.