Essential, but not exceptional? The visibility gap for nursing in the Australian honours system

Abstract

The Australian honours system has, for over 50 years, recognised individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our nation. With close to 300 000 recipients since its inception, approximately 0.5 per cent of Australians have received this distinction. In contrast, recognition within nursing, the largest healthcare workforce in the country, is strikingly low. Estimates suggest that only around 0.05 per cent of nurses have been honoured through the Order of Australia, around one-tenth the rate of recognition seen in the general population. This disparity is not only significant, but also difficult to justify. At first glance, this appears to be a question of under-representation. On closer examination, it is also a question of visibility.