# List of governors-general of Australia

The governor-general of Australia is the federal representative of the Australian monarch (currently Charles III). The position came into being on 29 October 1900, just prior to the adoption of the new national constitution and has been held by 28 people since then. Governors-general have no fixed term, but have usually served for around five years.

## Background

For the first two decades after federation, governors-general were selected solely by the British government. The monarch was consulted on the decision into the 1930s. The first four governors-general were peers; Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson (appointed 1914) was the first commoner to hold the position, although he was also later elevated to the peerage. In 1920, Billy Hughes became the first prime minister to be consulted over the governor-generalship. Stanley Bruce (1925) and Joseph Lyons (1935) either asked for or were given a list of suitable candidates to choose from.
James Scullin (1930) became the first prime minister of Australia to exercise complete discretion in the appointment; his nomination of Sir Isaac Isaacs made Australia the first Dominion to have a native-born governor-general. In 1945, John Curtin nominated Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, to the post – the first and only royal officeholder to take up the post; however, in October 1938 Prince George, Duke of Kent had been announced as the successor to Lord Gowrie with effect from November 1939, but on 11 September 1939, owing to the outbreak of the Second World War, the Duke's appointment was postponed. It never eventuated, instead Lord Gowrie continued his incumbency until 1945, creating a still-unsurpassed record term of over 9 years. A second Australian (William McKell) was appointed in 1947; he was followed by three more Britons, each chosen by Sir Robert Menzies. Menzies's fourth nomination was Richard Casey, who took office in 1965; he and all subsequent governors-general have been Australian citizens. All states except South Australia and Tasmania have provided at least one appointee. The first female governor-general, Quentin Bryce, took office in 2008.

## List of officeholders

| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Term of office | Monarch Reign | Prime Minister Term of office |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Monarch Reign | Prime Minister Term of office |
| 1 | | John Hope 7th Earl of Hopetoun KT, GCMG, GCVO, PC (1860–1908) | 29 October 1900 | 17 July 1902 | 1 year, 197 days | Victoria (1837–1901) | Edmund Barton (1901–1903) |
| 1 | | John Hope 7th Earl of Hopetoun KT, GCMG, GCVO, PC (1860–1908) | 29 October 1900 | 17 July 1902 | 1 year, 197 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Edmund Barton (1901–1903) |
| 2 | | Hallam Tennyson 2nd Baron Tennyson GCMG, PC (1852–1928) | 9 January 1903 | 21 January 1904 | 1 year, 12 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Edmund Barton (1901–1903) |
| 2 | | Hallam Tennyson 2nd Baron Tennyson GCMG, PC (1852–1928) | 9 January 1903 | 21 January 1904 | 1 year, 12 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Alfred Deakin (1903–1904) |
| 3 | | Henry Northcote 1st Baron Northcote GCMG, GCIE, CB (1846–1911) | 21 January 1904 | 9 September 1908 | 4 years, 232 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Alfred Deakin (1903–1904) |
| 3 | | Henry Northcote 1st Baron Northcote GCMG, GCIE, CB (1846–1911) | 21 January 1904 | 9 September 1908 | 4 years, 232 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Chris Watson (1904) |
| 3 | | Henry Northcote 1st Baron Northcote GCMG, GCIE, CB (1846–1911) | 21 January 1904 | 9 September 1908 | 4 years, 232 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | George Reid (1904–1905) |
| 3 | | Henry Northcote 1st Baron Northcote GCMG, GCIE, CB (1846–1911) | 21 January 1904 | 9 September 1908 | 4 years, 232 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Alfred Deakin (1905–1908) |
| 4 | | William Ward 2nd Earl of Dudley GCB, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC (1867–1932) | 9 September 1908 | 31 July 1911 | 2 years, 325 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Alfred Deakin (1905–1908) |
| 4 | | William Ward 2nd Earl of Dudley GCB, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC (1867–1932) | 9 September 1908 | 31 July 1911 | 2 years, 325 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Andrew Fisher (1908–1909) |
| 4 | | William Ward 2nd Earl of Dudley GCB, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC (1867–1932) | 9 September 1908 | 31 July 1911 | 2 years, 325 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Alfred Deakin (1909–1910) |
| 4 | | William Ward 2nd Earl of Dudley GCB, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC (1867–1932) | 9 September 1908 | 31 July 1911 | 2 years, 325 days | Edward VII (1901–1910) | Andrew Fisher (1910–1913) |
| 4 | | William Ward 2nd Earl of Dudley GCB, GCMG, GCVO, TD, PC (1867–1932) | 9 September 1908 | 31 July 1911 | 2 years, 325 days | George V (1910–1936) | Andrew Fisher (1910–1913) |
| 5 | | Thomas Denman 3rd Baron Denman GCMG, KCVO, PC (1874–1954) | 31 July 1911 | 18 May 1914 | 2 years, 291 days | George V (1910–1936) | Andrew Fisher (1910–1913) |
| 5 | | Thomas Denman 3rd Baron Denman GCMG, KCVO, PC (1874–1954) | 31 July 1911 | 18 May 1914 | 2 years, 291 days | George V (1910–1936) | Joseph Cook (1913–1914) |
| 6 | | Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson GCMG, PC (1860–1934) | 18 May 1914 | 6 October 1920 | 6 years, 141 days | George V (1910–1936) | Joseph Cook (1913–1914) |
| 6 | | Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson GCMG, PC (1860–1934) | 18 May 1914 | 6 October 1920 | 6 years, 141 days | George V (1910–1936) | Andrew Fisher (1914–1915) |
| 6 | | Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson GCMG, PC (1860–1934) | 18 May 1914 | 6 October 1920 | 6 years, 141 days | George V (1910–1936) | Billy Hughes (1915–1923) |
| 7 | | Henry Forster 1st Baron Forster GCMG, PC (1866–1936) | 6 October 1920 | 8 October 1925 | 5 years, 2 days | George V (1910–1936) | Billy Hughes (1915–1923) |
| 7 | | Henry Forster 1st Baron Forster GCMG, PC (1866–1936) | 6 October 1920 | 8 October 1925 | 5 years, 2 days | George V (1910–1936) | Stanley Bruce (1923–1929) |
| 8 | | John Baird 1st Baron Stonehaven GCMG, DSO, PC (1874–1941) | 8 October 1925 | 2 October 1930 | 4 years, 359 days | George V (1910–1936) | Stanley Bruce (1923–1929) |
| 8 | | John Baird 1st Baron Stonehaven GCMG, DSO, PC (1874–1941) | 8 October 1925 | 2 October 1930 | 4 years, 359 days | George V (1910–1936) | James Scullin (1929–1932) |
| 9 | | Sir Isaac Isaacs GCMG (1855–1948) | 21 January 1931 | 23 January 1936 | 5 years, 2 days | George V (1910–1936) | James Scullin (1929–1932) |
| 9 | | Sir Isaac Isaacs GCMG (1855–1948) | 21 January 1931 | 23 January 1936 | 5 years, 2 days | George V (1910–1936) | Joseph Lyons (1932–1939) |
| 9 | | Sir Isaac Isaacs GCMG (1855–1948) | 21 January 1931 | 23 January 1936 | 5 years, 2 days | Edward VIII (1936) | Joseph Lyons (1932–1939) |
| 10 | | Brigadier-General Alexander Hore-Ruthven 1st Baron Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO*, PC (1872–1955) | 23 January 1936 | 30 January 1945 | 9 years, 7 days | Edward VIII (1936) | Joseph Lyons (1932–1939) |
| 10 | | Brigadier-General Alexander Hore-Ruthven 1st Baron Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO*, PC (1872–1955) | 23 January 1936 | 30 January 1945 | 9 years, 7 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Joseph Lyons (1932–1939) |
| 10 | | Brigadier-General Alexander Hore-Ruthven 1st Baron Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO*, PC (1872–1955) | 23 January 1936 | 30 January 1945 | 9 years, 7 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Earle Page (1939) |
| 10 | | Brigadier-General Alexander Hore-Ruthven 1st Baron Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO*, PC (1872–1955) | 23 January 1936 | 30 January 1945 | 9 years, 7 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Robert Menzies (1939–1941) |
| 10 | | Brigadier-General Alexander Hore-Ruthven 1st Baron Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO*, PC (1872–1955) | 23 January 1936 | 30 January 1945 | 9 years, 7 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Arthur Fadden (1941) |
| 10 | | Brigadier-General Alexander Hore-Ruthven 1st Baron Gowrie VC, GCMG, CB, DSO*, PC (1872–1955) | 23 January 1936 | 30 January 1945 | 9 years, 7 days | George VI (1936–1952) | John Curtin (1941–1945) |
| 11 | | Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GCStJ, PC, ADC (1900–1974) | 30 January 1945 | 11 March 1947 | 2 years, 40 days | George VI (1936–1952) | John Curtin (1941–1945) |
| 11 | | Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GCStJ, PC, ADC (1900–1974) | 30 January 1945 | 11 March 1947 | 2 years, 40 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Frank Forde (1945) |
| 11 | | Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GCStJ, PC, ADC (1900–1974) | 30 January 1945 | 11 March 1947 | 2 years, 40 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Ben Chifley (1945–1949) |
| 12 | | Sir William McKell GCMG, PC (1891–1985) | 11 March 1947 | 8 May 1953 | 6 years, 58 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Ben Chifley (1945–1949) |
| 12 | | Sir William McKell GCMG, PC (1891–1985) | 11 March 1947 | 8 May 1953 | 6 years, 58 days | George VI (1936–1952) | Robert Menzies (1949–1966) |
| 12 | | Sir William McKell GCMG, PC (1891–1985) | 11 March 1947 | 8 May 1953 | 6 years, 58 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Robert Menzies (1949–1966) |
| 13 | | Field Marshal Sir William Slim KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC, KStJ (1891–1970) | 8 May 1953 | 2 February 1960 | 6 years, 270 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Robert Menzies (1949–1966) |
| 14 | | William Morrison 1st Viscount Dunrossil GCMG, MC, PC, QC (1893–1961) | 2 February 1960 | 3 February 1961 | 1 year, 1 day | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Robert Menzies (1949–1966) |
| 15 | | William Sidney 1st Viscount De L'Isle VC, GCMG, GCVO, PC (1909–1991) | 3 August 1961 | 7 May 1965 | 3 years, 277 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Robert Menzies (1949–1966) |
| 16 | | Richard Casey Baron Casey KG, GCMG, CH, DSO, MC, PC (1890–1976) | 7 May 1965 | 30 April 1969 | 3 years, 358 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Robert Menzies (1949–1966) |
| 16 | | Richard Casey Baron Casey KG, GCMG, CH, DSO, MC, PC (1890–1976) | 7 May 1965 | 30 April 1969 | 3 years, 358 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Harold Holt (1966–1967) |
| 16 | | Richard Casey Baron Casey KG, GCMG, CH, DSO, MC, PC (1890–1976) | 7 May 1965 | 30 April 1969 | 3 years, 358 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | John McEwen (1967–1968) |
| 16 | | Richard Casey Baron Casey KG, GCMG, CH, DSO, MC, PC (1890–1976) | 7 May 1965 | 30 April 1969 | 3 years, 358 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | John Gorton (1968–1971) |
| 17 | | Sir Paul Hasluck KG, GCMG, GCVO (1905–1993) | 30 April 1969 | 11 July 1974 | 5 years, 72 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | John Gorton (1968–1971) |
| 17 | | Sir Paul Hasluck KG, GCMG, GCVO (1905–1993) | 30 April 1969 | 11 July 1974 | 5 years, 72 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | William McMahon (1971–1972) |
| 17 | | Sir Paul Hasluck KG, GCMG, GCVO (1905–1993) | 30 April 1969 | 11 July 1974 | 5 years, 72 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Gough Whitlam (1972–1975) |
| 18 | | Sir John Kerr AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC (1914–1991) | 11 July 1974 | 8 December 1977 | 3 years, 150 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Gough Whitlam (1972–1975) |
| 18 | | Sir John Kerr AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC (1914–1991) | 11 July 1974 | 8 December 1977 | 3 years, 150 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Malcolm Fraser (1975–1983) |
| 19 | | Sir Zelman Cowen AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC (1919–2011) | 8 December 1977 | 29 July 1982 | 4 years, 233 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Malcolm Fraser (1975–1983) |
| 20 | | Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC (1923–2017) | 29 July 1982 | 16 February 1989 | 6 years, 202 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Malcolm Fraser (1975–1983) |
| 20 | | Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QC (1923–2017) | 29 July 1982 | 16 February 1989 | 6 years, 202 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Bob Hawke (1983–1991) |
| 21 | | Bill Hayden AC (1933–2023) | 16 February 1989 | 16 February 1996 | 7 years | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Bob Hawke (1983–1991) |
| 21 | | Bill Hayden AC (1933–2023) | 16 February 1989 | 16 February 1996 | 7 years | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Paul Keating (1991–1996) |
| 22 | | Sir William Deane AC, KBE (born 1931) | 16 February 1996 | 29 June 2001 | 5 years, 133 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Paul Keating (1991–1996) |
| 22 | | Sir William Deane AC, KBE (born 1931) | 16 February 1996 | 29 June 2001 | 5 years, 133 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | John Howard (1996–2007) |
| 23 | | Peter Hollingworth AC, OBE (born 1935) | 29 June 2001 | 28 May 2003 | 1 year, 333 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | John Howard (1996–2007) |
| 24 | | Major General Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC (1937–2020) | 11 August 2003 | 5 September 2008 | 5 years, 25 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | John Howard (1996–2007) |
| 24 | | Major General Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC (1937–2020) | 11 August 2003 | 5 September 2008 | 5 years, 25 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Kevin Rudd (2007–2010) |
| 25 | | Dame Quentin Bryce AD, CVO (born 1942) | 5 September 2008 | 28 March 2014 | 5 years, 204 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Kevin Rudd (2007–2010) |
| 25 | | Dame Quentin Bryce AD, CVO (born 1942) | 5 September 2008 | 28 March 2014 | 5 years, 204 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Julia Gillard (2010–2013) |
| 25 | | Dame Quentin Bryce AD, CVO (born 1942) | 5 September 2008 | 28 March 2014 | 5 years, 204 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Kevin Rudd (2013) |
| 25 | | Dame Quentin Bryce AD, CVO (born 1942) | 5 September 2008 | 28 March 2014 | 5 years, 204 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Tony Abbott (2013–2015) |
| 26 | | General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC (born 1947) | 28 March 2014 | 1 July 2019 | 5 years, 95 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Tony Abbott (2013–2015) |
| 26 | | General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC (born 1947) | 28 March 2014 | 1 July 2019 | 5 years, 95 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Malcolm Turnbull (2015–2018) |
| 26 | | General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC (born 1947) | 28 March 2014 | 1 July 2019 | 5 years, 95 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Scott Morrison (2018–2022) |
| 27 | | General David Hurley AC, CVO, DSC (born 1953) | 1 July 2019 | 1 July 2024 | 5 years | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Scott Morrison (2018–2022) |
| 27 | | General David Hurley AC, CVO, DSC (born 1953) | 1 July 2019 | 1 July 2024 | 5 years | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | Anthony Albanese (since 2022) |
| 27 | | General David Hurley AC, CVO, DSC (born 1953) | 1 July 2019 | 1 July 2024 | 5 years | Charles III (since 2022) | Anthony Albanese (since 2022) |
| 28 | | Sam Mostyn AC (born 1965) | 1 July 2024 | Incumbent | 259 days | Charles III (since 2022) | Anthony Albanese (since 2022) |