General Cosgrove and his wife Lynne arrived at Parliament House a short time ago.

He was greeted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the Great Verandah and received a general salute from guard of honour, before he was greeted by the Clerk of the House and the Usher of the Black Rod (the ceremonial heads of the Lower and Upper Houses).

Chief Justice Robert French then invited General Cosgrove to make the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office.

"I, Peter John Cosgrove, do swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ...I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the Commonwealth of Australia without fear or favour ... So help me God."

Official Secretary Stephen Brady then proclaimed that Peter Cosgrove had assumed the Office of Governor-General.

He is also declared to be a "sir". 

"I'm at once humbled and proud to assume the office as Governor-General,'' he said.

"Humbled to know something of the great men and the one woman to have preceded me and proud beyond description of Australia.''

General Cosgrove said he spoke to the "one woman to have filled the office of Governor-General.

"This is my first very public opportunity to add my congratulations to all those already given by all you here in the parliament to Dame Quentin Bryce and her husband, Michael, for their great efforts over the last five and a half years."