Hollywood star Cate Blanchett and the man who brought Qantas back from the brink are among the most prominent of those recognised in the this year.
The list of almost 900 Australians included a dozen honoured for their contribution to Indigenous Australia and fourteen honoured for their contribution to multiculturalism and diversity.
Honours were also handed to several prominent supporters of same-sex marriage – including Qantas boss Alan Joyce and veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Bonsall-Boone, who died just weeks ago from cancer.
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This year's list, which also included prominent climate change economist Ross Garnaut, was branded ‘the most progressive since 1975’ by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Joyce, who has copped a pie in the face by a protester and criticism from tennis legend Margaret Court over his support for same-sex marriage, was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to aviation, tourism, gender equity and diversity – as well as his support for Indigenous education.
Actor Deborah Mailman was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to performing arts and as a role model for Indigenous performers.
Most outstanding actress winner Deborah Mailman with her Logie Award at the 2016 Logie Awards at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Sunday, May 8, 2016. (AAP) Source: AAP
Other honourees for service to Indigenous issues included Ian Anderson and Ian Ring for their service to Indigenous health, Patricia Cameron (Aunty Patsy) for her service to Indigenous education and custodianship, and Bangarra Dance Artistic Director Stephen Page.
All four were made Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) in the honour list.
Other honoured Members for service to Indigenous Australia included historian Ann McGrath, dentist Sandra Meihubers, educator Merle Ricklefs and curator Judith Ryan.
Fourteen Australians were honoured for their services to multiculturalism and diversity, including SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid.
The Cairo-born Australian, who was made a Member of the Order of Australia, said he was “incredibly honoured” to have been among so many other outstanding Australians.
Other prominent multicultural leaders recognised included Lebanese community leader Dr Jamal Rifi, Italian community leader Giuseppe Migliorino and Jewish community leader Graham Slade.
Indigenous art dealer and local government veteran Claude Ullin and Palace Cinema founder Antonio Zeccola were also made Members.
The recognition for veteran gay rights activist Peter Bonsall-Boone was bittersweet - he died just weeks ago after a lengthy battle with cancer.
NAIDOC Awards 2016 Lifetime Achievement award recipient, Stephen Page (right). (NITV) Source: Event Photos Australia
The 78-year-old, known as Bon, and his partner Peter de Waal were appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM) for decades of tireless work as LGBT+ rights activists.
Mr Bonsall-Boone worked for a decade through the 1980s helping young men with AIDS in their final stages of life.
Mr de Waal said his partner was thrilled about the nomination, and lived to find out he was going to receive the award.
But he wasn't completely satisfied when he died.
"Bon certainly died being very disappointed that we were not able to be married, and to wipe away the label we were carrying for all those years in different ways under different circumstances as second-class citizens," Mr de Waal said.
- with AAP
