Stars of the stage and screen, top athletes and dozens of local heroes are among the 1,127 Australians across a wide range of industries to be recognised in this year's Australia Day Honours ceremony, the largest list in the history of the awards.

Nineteen people have received the highest honour this year, the Companion of the Order of Australia, including Olivia Newton-John, tennis ace Roy Emerson and author Jennifer Rowe.

Australia Day Honours list awards: Companion of the Order (AC)

Companion of the Order (AC) Officer of the Order (AO)

Officer of the Order (AO) Member of the Order (AM)

Member of the Order (AM) Medal of the Order (OAM)

This year, women made up 37.4 per cent of the total awards, with 422 recognised, the highest number and percentage ever with the upward trend continuing.

Among the winners, 71 were appointed Officers of the Order, 282 were appointed Members of the Order and 755 Medals of the Order were awarded.

There were also 273 meritorious and military awards handed out.

Despite many superstar athletes and celebrities making the list, almost 46 per cent of awards were for outstanding service in the community, showcasing the importance of local heroes in Australia.

Here is what some of the recipients had to say.

Chrissie Foster (AM)

Victorian Chrissie Foster has campaigned for justice for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. ( ABC News: Dylan Anderson )

Chrissie Foster has been recognised for her significant service to children, particularly as a tireless advocate for child abuse survivors, in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Her two daughters Emma and Katie were abused by their local priest Father Kevin O'Donnell.

It sparked a long fight for justice by her and her husband Anthony, who died suddenly in 2017.

"I really appreciate this recognition, because it's not just recognition of what we did, it's recognition of all victims and what they've suffered," Ms Foster said.

She said she was sad her husband was not here to share in the award.

"It was that fight that caused change … so it had to be fought over and over on many fronts and all of that in the end killed him," Ms Foster said.

"It broke his heart, and that was the death of a good man, it's really sad and it shouldn't have happened."

Jennifer Rowe (AC)

Author Jennifer Rowe is known by her readers as Emily Rodda. ( ABC News )

Jennifer Rowe has been awarded the highest honour, a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Many of her readers would know her by the pseudonym Emily Rodda, the name under which she published many children's books.

"I'm incredibly honoured … [and] I'm also so glad that by inference the whole field of children's literature … is also recognised by this," she said.

"It's often disregarded, underrated, thought of as not being very important, but in fact to me, it's vital."

Magda Szubanski (AO)

Magda Szubanski was part of the campaign towards marriage equality. ( ABC News: Marco Catalano )

Magda Szubanski has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia for her work as an actor, comedian and writer, and also as a campaigner for marriage equality.

She was very vocal in sharing her personal story during the campaign, encouraging Australians to vote yes in the same-sex marriage postal survey.

"To be acknowledged in this way, it's absolutely one of the highlights of my life," Szubanski said.

"I just really wish my parents were here, it would mean so much to them."

Ian Thorpe (AM)

Swimmer Ian Thorpe has been recognised for his service to youth and Indigenous education. ( ABC News )

With five Olympic gold medals to his name, Ian Thorpe's prowess in the swimming pool is well known.

His Australia Day honour, though, is also recognition of his service to youth and Indigenous education.

Thorpe said he initially thought his charitable endeavours would be focused overseas.

"I was challenged that we actually had people living in similar poverty in Australia," he said.

"I went and visited some of the remote communities in Australia and realised there was a desperate need for help and assistance."

Olivia Newton-John (AC)

Olivia Newton-John said the recognition had filled her with pride. ( Suppled: Denise Truscello )

Four-time Grammy winner and Grease star Olivia Newton-John has also received the highest honour.

It recognises her long career as a performer, and her eminent service to community health, particularly for people living with cancer.

In a statement from the United States where she lives, she said the award was an honour.

"I am delighted and honoured to receive this very distinguished and special award," she said.

"To be presented with this esteemed recognition by the Governor-General fills me with gratitude and pride to be Australian."

Roy Emerson (AC)

Roy Emerson has received recognition for his eminent service to tennis. ( ABC News )

Roy Emerson has also been recognised with the highest honour for his eminent service to tennis as a player at the national and international level, as well as his promotion of the sport, and for being an inspiration to young sportspersons.

The former world number one player won 12 major singles titles, 16 grand slam tournament men's doubles titles and participated in eight Australian Davis Cup-winning teams.

He is a life member of Tennis Queensland and opened the Roy Emerson Tennis Centre in Milton in 2015.

He was inducted as Legend of Queensland Sport in 2011 and into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame in 1986.

He was also inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982.

Kylie Minogue (AO)

Kylie Minogue has been recognised for her service to performing arts. ( AAP: Tracey Nearmy )

Kylie Minogue has been an Australian and international superstar since the late 1980s and has been recognised for her service to the performing arts as a national and international recording artist and entertainer.

She has produced more than 13 albums, including Aphrodite in 2013 and her latest album Golden in 2018.

The singer, who released a string of hits such as Can't Get You Out Of My Head and Spinning Around has also notched up several television performances including as Charlene Robinson in Neighbours and as a judge on The Voice.

Minogue has also been recognised for her charitable service to a number of organisations, including as the founder of One Note Against Cancer.

Some of her awards over the years include being inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2011 and two Logies.

Kathy Mills (OAM)

Kathy Mills was hesitant to accept her award. ( ABC News: Terry McDonald )

Kathy Mills said she felt hesitant to accept her Australia Day honour for her service to the Indigenous community, because the change she's been working towards hasn't yet been achieved.

"I've received recognition for everything I've done, but there's been no change, so why the award? That was my dilemma," she said.

"I'm hoping it's not a token."

Human Nature: Toby Allen, Phil Burton, Andrew Tierney and Mike Tierney (OAM)

Human Nature members Toby Allen, Phil Burton, Andrew Tierney and Mike Tierney at The Venetian in Las Vegas. ( Supplied: Denise Truscello )

Australian pop vocal super group Human Nature have been recognised for service to the performing arts as entertainers.

Toby Allen, Phil Burton and Andrew and Mike Tierney have smashed the charts in Australia and abroad since they began hitting the airwaves in 1995, with four number one albums in Australia.

They have also been recognised for their community work in both Australia and the US.

"We are beyond humbled to be awarded this honour by the Government and our country," a statement on behalf of the band said.

"There are many people and partners that have helped us achieve our dreams and this is as much for them as it is for us."

The group is currently performing their stage show Jukebox in Las Vegas.

John Webb (OAM)

Deaf cricket pioneer John Webb (right) has been a player, coach, selector and mentor. ( ABC News )

John Webb is being recognised for his service to people with a disability through sport.

He is one of the pioneers of deaf cricket in Australia and has been involved in the sport for more than 50 years.

He has been a player, coach, selector, and mentor and was also instrumental in setting up first Deaf Cricket World Cup.

"You never think this day would come about, you don't think you're going to get awards like this," he said.

"But the passion is always going to be there. And passion is a very powerful motivator."

He said the recognition would mean a lot to a lot of people in his community.

"I'm very rapt with the deaf community. It's our deaf community, and our culture. It's a very, very rich culture to be a part of," he said.

Sue Hedley (OAM)

West Australian Sue Hedley is the founder of SAFE, an animal rescue organisation using the foster care model. ( ABC News )

Sue Hedley is being recognised for work and service to animal rescue.

Ms Hedley is the founder of SAFE, an animal rescue organisation that uses a foster care model.

Ms Hedley said she started the organisation because she felt like she had to do something to help animals throughout Australia slipping through the cracks.

"I had to do something and we now have 12 branches across the state," she said.

"We've saved more than 23,000 animals just from this humble home where it still runs from.

"All with very minimal cage care and all gone to fabulous homes.

"We know that nothing is forever in the human world so we really never judge people and really just want the animals to be happy."

Adrienne Clarke (OAM)

Firefighter Adrienne Clarke is being honoured for service to the community and to women's affairs. ( ABC News: Alina Eacott )

Adrienne Clarke is being honoured for service to the community and to women's affairs.

In 1987 she became the first professional firefighter in South Australia.

"For the first 11 years I was here on my own so it was a fairly quiet, pretty secluded life. I spent a lot of time on my own. It was difficult to integrate and not having another woman was a challenge," she said.

Today women make up just 5 per cent of the firefighting workforce, and Ms Clarke said she was passionate about ensuring young girls knew about it as a possible career path.

"At that very young age, if they're not considering firefighting as an option … then they'll never consider it," she said.

"The reality is there are a lot of very fit women, a lot of capable women, who want to make a difference in the community and so they would be great in this role."

Sharon Middleton (AM)

Sharon Middleton has been made a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to the trucking industry. ( ABC News: Alina Eacott )

Sharon Middleton has been made a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to the trucking industry.

Ms Middleton and her husband started building their transport company in Adelaide more than 30 years ago, and eventually, she started driving as well.

"I got into the driving side of things in the late 2000s, [and] I regularly go to Melbourne in a B-double, and often do the Perth run as a road train or B-triple," she said.

"The feeling of being 100 per cent involved in every aspect of the industry, that means a lot to me.

"I got the passion and I ended up with diesel in my blood, and I think that's why for me, it's become my life."

Warren Truss (AC)

Warren Truss said it was an honour to receive his award. ( Supplied )

Former deputy prime minister and National Party leader Warren Truss has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to Australia's Parliament.

Mr Truss was first elected as the Member for Wide Bay in Queensland in 1990, remaining in the seat until his retirement in 2016.

He said the award was an honour.

"It's been a privilege to serve in the community and I'm delighted that regional Australia and the people I've worked with for 50 years are being acknowledged in this really special way."

Kevin Sheedy (AO)

Kevin Sheedy has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia. ( ABC News )

Kevin John Sheedy has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to Australian rules football as a senior coach, and to education and employment programs for young people.

Sheedy was senior coach of the Essendon Football Club from 1981-2007, leading them to the 2000 AFL premiership.

He was also the inaugural coach of the Greater Western Sydney Giants from 2009-2014.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1998 and was the co-founder of AFL Sportsready, Education and Employment.

He also introduced the AFL's Dreamtime at the G game and reintroduced the Anzac Day match in 1995.

"It's a privilege and an honour. There are many wonderful Australians doing a lot of work for people that need help and people that probably need that extra sort of positiveness around their life," Sheedy said.

"We've been able to achieve lots of wonderful things with football and the AFL over the last 50 years.