On Saturday 21 April 2012, following the departure of the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO on a State Visit to the United Arab Emirates, the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

During a brief visit to Brisbane, the Governor-General attended a fund raising breakfast for the Good Samaritan Foundation, which cares for victims of domestic violence, before launching the Centre for Research Excellence in Nursing at Griffith University.

On Friday 20 April 2012, at the Brisbane Club, Brisbane, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Chairman, Mr Patrick Mullins, attended a breakfast in support of the Good Samaritans Foundation.

In Brisbane, the Governor-General officially opened the ABC's new headquarters, 6 years after a cancer cluster forced staff from their previous offices in Toowong.

The new building, at Southbank, will house ABC radio and TV, as well as News Online, Landline and Australian Story.

In addition to the 22 production and broadcast studios, the centre will also house the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in a custom designed rehearsal studio.

On Thursday 19 April 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, at South Bank, Brisbane, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, attended a ceremony at the new ABC Queensland Headquarters, at which the Governor-General officially opened the Headquarters.

The Governor-General received her 100th Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Mr Yousof Ali Al-Khater, during a ceremony at Government House, Canberra.

Designated Heads of Mission to Australia present their Credentials to the Governor-General, in order for them take up their appointment.

On Wednesday 18 April 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received from His Excellency Mr Marcel Stutz, Letters of Credence accrediting him as the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Stefan Klötzli (Deputy Head of Mission), Mr Markus Meli (Consul-General), and Mr Hans Peter Studer (First Secretary). The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE also received Mrs Esther Stutz.

The Governor-General received the President of the Republic of Lebanon, His Excellency General Michel Sleiman, and Her Excellency Mrs Wafaa Sleiman at Government House in Canberra.

On Tuesday 17 April 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE received Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Lebanon, Mr Lex Bartlem OAM.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce received the President of the Republic of Lebanon, His Excellency General Michel Sleiman and Her Excellency Mrs Wafaa Sleiman.

On Monday 16 April 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the National President of the Australasian College of Road Safety, Mr Lauchlan McIntosh AM; the Executive Officer of the Australasian College of Road Safety, Ms Clare Howe; and the Chief Executive Officer of Kidsafe ACT, Mr Eric Chalmers.