Forms of address
If you are inviting members of Parliament, Government and the Judiciary to your event, it is important to have an understanding of the correct forms of address. The following tables provide a summary of these:
1. Vice Regal Party
|
Position |
Introduction |
Commence Speech |
Subsequently |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Governor-General |
His/Her Excellency (title and/or name) The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia |
Your Excellency |
Sir/Madam |
|
Partner of the Governor-General |
His/Her Excellency (title and/or name) |
Your Excellency |
Sir/Madam |
|
Governor of NSW |
His/Her Excellency (title and/or name) The Governor of New South Wales |
Your Excellency |
Sir/Madam |
|
Partner of the Governor of NSW |
Addressed by their title and/or name |
Addressed by their title and/or name |
Addressed by their title and/or name |
2. Members of Parliament
|
Position |
Introduction |
Commence Speech |
Subsequently |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Prime Minister |
The Honourable (name) Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia |
Prime Minister |
Prime Minister |
|
Commonwealth Ministers |
The Honourable (if members of the Privy Council) or The Honourable (name) Minister for… |
Minister |
Minister |
|
Members of the House of Representatives |
Title and name If a Minister Minister for… |
Minister |
Minister |
|
Members of the Senate |
Senator (name) Minister for…(if a Minister) |
Senator |
Senator |
|
State Premier of NSW |
The Honourable (name) Premier of New South Wales |
Premier |
Premier |
|
State Ministers |
The Honourable (name) Minister for… |
Minister |
Minister |
|
Members of the Legislative Council (if not a Minister) |
The Honourable (name) |
Mr/Mrs/Ms (name) |
Mr/Mrs/Ms (name) |
|
Members of the Legislative Assembly (if not a Minister) |
Mr/Mrs (name) |
Mr/Mrs/Ms (name) |
Mr/Mrs/Ms (name) |
3. Diplomatic and Consular Corps
|
Position |
Introduction |
Commence Speech |
Subsequently |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ambassador |
His/Her Excellency (title and name) Ambassador of (country) |
Your Excellency |
Ambassador |
|
High Commissioner |
His/Her Excellency (title and name) High Commissioner for (country) |
Your Excellency |
High Commissioner |
|
Consul General |
(title and name) the Consul General of |
Consul General |
Consul General or (title and name) |
|
Consul |
(title and name) the Consul of |
Consul |
Consul or (title and name) |
4. Local Government
|
Position |
Introduction |
Commence Speech |
Subsequently |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lord Mayor |
The Lord Mayor (of city…) (name) |
Lord Mayor |
Lord Mayor |
|
Mayor |
The Mayor (of town…) (name) |
Mayor |
Mayor |
|
Shire President |
Councillor (name) President of the…(Shire) |
Councillor (name) |
Councillor (name) |
|
Alderman or Councillor |
Alderman/Councillor (name) |
Councillor (name) |
Councillor (name) |
Notes:
- Post-nominals and initials are not used when introducing guests e.g. The Shire President of the whole Gallahganbone Shire, Councillor Chris. Sladeshield, AM would be introduced as “Councillor Chris Sladeshield, Shire President of the Gallahganbone Shire.”
- Ministers who are senators are addressed as “The Minister for………Senator, (name)
5. Ministers of Religion
|
Position |
Introduction |
Commence Speech |
Subsequently |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Archbishop (Anglican) |
The Most Reverend The Archbishop of… |
Your Grace or Archbishop |
Your Grace or Archbishop |
|
Archbishop (Roman Catholic) |
His Grace, The Most Reverend, Archbishop of… |
Your Grace or Archbishop |
Your Grace or Archbishop |
|
Archbishop (Greek Orthodox) |
The Most Reverend Archbishop |
Your Eminence |
Your Grace or Archbishop |
|
Bishop (Anglican) |
The Right Reverend The Bishop of… |
Bishop |
Bishop |
|
Bishop (Roman Catholic) |
The Most Reverend, Bishop of… |
Dear Bishop |
My Lord |
|
Bishop (Greek Orthodox) |
The Right Reverend Bishop |
Your Grace |
Your Grace or Bishop |
|
Cardinal |
His Eminence Cardinal (name) |
Your Eminence |
Your Eminence |
|
Archdeacon |
The Venerable The Archdeacon of… |
Archdeacon |
Archdeacon |
|
Dean |
The Very Reverend The Dean of… |
Dean |
Dean |
|
Monsignor |
The Reverend Monsignor (name) |
Monsignor |
Monsignor |
|
Priest |
The Reverend Father (name) |
Reverend Father |
Father |
6. Members of the Armed Forces
|
Position |
Introduction |
Commence Speech |
Subsequently |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank e.g. Commodore, Major General, Air Vice- Marshal |
Rank, then name, then appointment, then Branch of Service |
Sir/Ma’am |
Sir |