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Order of Malta Australia

Government

The Sovereign Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law. The Order has its own Government, an independent magistracy, bilateral diplomatic relations with more than 110 countries and is granted the status of Permanent Observer in many international organisations, such as the United Nations. Its operational activities are managed by the six Grand Priories, five Subpriories and 48 National Associations in the five continents. The Order issues its own passports and stamps and creates public institutions, endowed with independent juridical personality. Order’s life is governed by the Constitution and the Code, reformed in 2022.

The Grand Master governs the Order both as sovereign and religious head. He is elected for a ten year term, within the professed knights in perpetual vows. He is assisted by and presides over the Sovereign Council, which is composed of four high offices – Grand Commander, Grand Chancellor, Grand Hospitaller, and Receiver of the Common Treasure – as well as nine other members, all elected by the Order’s Chapter General for a six-year term. The Chapter General also elects the Board of Auditors, whose composition reflects the international character of the Order, for a six-year term.

The legal system of the Order is expressed by the usual division into three powers:

Legislative power

Rests with the Grand Master and Sovereign Council for non-constitutional matters; with the Chapter General, representing the Supreme Assembly of Knights, as far as constitutional rules are concerned.

Executive power

Rests with the Sovereign Council, chaired by the Grand Master and composed of thirteen Knights elected by the Chapter General.

Judicial power

It is exercised by the Magistral Courts of First Instance and of Appeal, composed of judges appointed by the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council from Order members of legal expertise. Rests with the Grand Master and Sovereign Council for non-constitutional matters; with the Chapter General, representing the Supreme Assembly of Knights, as far as constitutional rules are concerned.

The Australian Association

The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.