Eluded to before; I thought I post the different classes of the Order of Australia.
The order is broken into 4 classes and split into two divisions. A General division is awarded to members of the public and government and a Military division to those in the ADF.
In the old days we use to award a Knighthood in the Order however this is no longer the case. Now the classes are broken into:
Companion in the Order of Australia (AC)
General Division - 'Eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large'.
Military Division - ' Eminent service in duties of great responsibility'.
Officer in the Order of Australia (AO)
General Division - 'Distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large'.
Military Division - 'Distinguished service in responsible positions'.
Member in the Order of the Australia (AM)
General Division - 'Service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group'.
Military Division - 'Exceptional service or performance of duty'.
Medal in the Order of Australia (OAM)General Division - 'Service worthy of particular recognition'.
Military Division - 'Meritorious service or performance of duty'
The badge of the Order of Australia is a convex disc (gold for AKs, ADs and ACs, gilt for AOs, AMs and OAMs) representing the Golden Wattle flower. At the centre is a ring, representing the sea, with the word 'Australia' below two branches of golden wattle. The whole disc is topped by the Royal crown of St Edward. The AC badge is decorated with citrines, blue enamelled ring, and enamelled crown. The AO badge is similar, without the citrines. For the AM badge only the crown is enamelled, and the OAM badge is plain.
The star for knights and dames is a convex golden disc decorated with citrines, with a blue royally crowned inner disc bearing an image of the Coat of arms of Australia.
The ribbon of the Order is blue with a central stripe of golden wattle flower designs; that of the military division has additional golden edge stripes. Male ACs and AOs wear their badges on a necklet; male AMs and OAMs wear them on a ribbon on the left chest. Women usually wear their badges on a bow on the left shoulder, although they may wear the same insignia as males, if so desired
