By definition, a knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country.

For Australians, this title was previously bestowed by both the former King and Queen of England, however, since 1975, Australia has implemented its own system of honours.

At present, only six Australian sportsmen have received them, with a potential seventh in former Australian Test captain Bill Woodful declining the honour in 1934, and no female athlese having received damehoods

As of February 2024, here are the six Australian athletes to have received the honour.

  1. Sir Norman Brookes - tennis - knighted in 1939
    * Wimbledon champion (1907 and 1914)
    * 39 Davis Cup appearances
  2. Sir Donald Bradman - cricket - 1949
    * 52 Test matches
    * 6996 runs @ 99.94
  3. Sir Hubert Opperman - cycling - 1968
    * Australian Road Cycling Champion (1924, 1926, 1927 and 1929)
    * Previous world-record holder (849 miles and 1000 miles)
  4. Sir Nicholas Shehadie - rugby union - 1976
    * 30 Wallabies caps
    * Former Lord Mayor of Sydney, SCG Trust chairman and Australian Rugby Union president
  5. Sir Jack Brabham - motor racing - 1979
    * Formula One champion (1959, 1960 and 1966)
    * Only driver-manufacturer to have won F1 title
  6. Sir James Hardy - sailing - 1981
    * America's Cup skipper (1970, 1974 and 1980)
    * Olympian (1964 and 1968)
    * Four-time Admiral's Cup representative