The category of Knight (AK) or Dame (AD) of the Order of Australia was created by Letters Patent issued by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 24 May 1976 on advice from the Fraser Liberal-National coalition government. It was discontinued by her on 3 March 1986 on advice from the Hawke Labor government. Existing knights and dames were not affected by the removal of the category from the Letters Patent.
During this period, twelve knights and two dames were created.
On 25 March 2014, the category of Knight or Dame was reinstated on advice from the Abbott Liberal government, and then discontinued on 2 November 2015 on advice from the Malcolm Turnbull Liberal government.
See Order of Australia#Knights and Dames.
See also Category:Dames of the Order of Australia.