In June 1950 Anderson was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service as Director-General in the Department of Civil Aviation. He was made a Knight Bachelor in June 1967.
On 1 January 1956, Anderson began his term as Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation. He served in the role until September 1973, in retirement serving as Chairman of Qantas.
Anderson died on 30 November 1975 in Heidelberg, Melbourne.
