Former prime minister John Howard has been appointed a member of the Order of Merit (OM) by the Queen.
The honour is bestowed upon individuals who achieve "exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and other areas such as public service", the Royal Family's website says in the announcement, dated January 1.
The Queen also appointed British painter and photographer David Hockney to the Order of Merit on Sunday.
Appointments to the Order are made by the monarch and do not require government input.
The Order is restricted to 24 members and occasional foreign recipients.