General (Australia)

General
The GEN insignia of Crown of St Edward above a star of the Order of the Bath above a crossed sword and baton, with the word 'Australia' at the bottom.
Country	Australia
Service branch	Australia
Abbreviation	GEN
Rank	Four-star
NATO rank code	OF-9
Non-NATO rank	O-10
Formation	1917
Next higher rank	Field marshal
Next lower rank	Lieutenant general
Equivalent ranks	Admiral (RAN) Air chief marshal (RAAF)

General (abbreviated GEN) is the second-highest rank, and the highest active rank, of the Australian Army and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of general; it is also considered a four-star rank.

Prior to 1958, Australian generals (and field marshals) were only appointed in exceptional circumstances. In 1958, the position which is currently called Chief of the Defence Force was created, and since 1966, the rank of general has been held when an army officer is appointed to that position.

General is a higher rank than lieutenant general, but is lower than field marshal. General is the equivalent of admiral in the Royal Australian Navy and air chief marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force.

A general's insignia is St Edward's Crown above a star of the Order of the Bath (or 'pip') above a crossed sword and baton, with the word 'Australia' at the bottom.^{[1][Note 1]}

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