Order of precedence

A table of precedence is used to determine the ranking of officials who are either attending and/or have a role at a ceremony or function and should be used as a guide only. In applying the table to a particular occasion, a number of variables need to be considered, for example, location of the event, representation, funding sources etc. For these reasons we advise you to contact our office for assistance and advice when planning your official function.

In order to assist you, we will need to know the:

• event purpose
• event location
• host
• VIPs attending
• VIP roles (eg speeches, responses, presentations)
• VIP representatives
• funding source.

Please include this information in an email to protocol@dpac.tas.gov.au and we can provide you with our suggested order of precedence for your event.

Guide to Table of Precedence

1. The Governor or officer administering the Government of Tasmania. (The Governor-General takes precedence when in attendance.)
2. The Lieutenant-Governor (if administering the Government of Tasmania).
3. The Governors of other States according to population.
4. The Premier.
5. The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.
6. The Lieutenant-Governor (if not administering the Government of Tasmania).
7. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
8. 1. Foreign Ambassadors and High Commissioners.
   2. Foreign Ministers and Envoys.
9. Tasmanian Executive Councillors (Ministers) under summons to the Executive Council.
10. The President of the Legislative Council of Tasmania.
11. The Speaker of the House of Assembly of Tasmania.
12. The President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia.
13. The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia.
14. The Chief Justice of the High Court of (the Commonwealth of) Australia.
15. The Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly of Tasmania.
16. Federal Executive Councillors under summons to the Executive Council.
17. Privy Councillors
18. Judges of the Supreme Court of Tasmania (according to seniority of appointment).
19. Judges of the High Court of (the Commonwealth of) Australia.
20. Judge of the Family Court.
21. Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council (not under summons to the Executive Council).
22. The Lord Mayor of Hobart. (Except where the event is held in the Municipality of another Mayor).
23. Heads of Churches:
    1. Anglican, Roman Catholic, Uniting Church, according to seniority
    2. Other denominations, according to seniority.
24. Head of the Defence Centre, Hobart, local Command of the Naval, Military and Air Forces (according to seniority in rank and date of appointment).
25. Mayors of cities according to population. (Note: see 22 above)
26. Members of the Legislative Council of Tasmania.
27. Members of the House of Assembly of Tasmania.
28. Members of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia.
29. Members of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia.
30. The Master Warden of Marine Boards according to seniority, Launceston Devonport, Burnie
31. Persons authorised to retain the prefix “Honourable”.
32. The Chancellor of the University of Tasmania.
33. Permanent Heads of State and Commonwealth Government Departments; and State Funeral Only: Parliamentary office bearers
34. Consular Corps (Honorary Consuls)
35. Ex Ministers of the State (not under summons to the Executive Council and not now Members of Parliament)

Further information: