This section has information on current honours and awards issues and news.
There are links to the Defence Honours and Awards newsletter, ministerial media releases and the most recent honours list.
Recently some medal mounters have been adding unauthorised medals to their clients’ medal sets. The medal mounters claim that the person is entitled to the additional awards. The only agency which has the authority to determine eligibility for Defence medals is the Department of Defence.
The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) commenced on 1 July 2008. In order to use the scheme Australian Defence Force members need to provide details of their service history, their warlike service and their reserve service.
Some members have been approaching the Directorate of Honours and Awards (DH&A) for this information. DH&A cannot provide these details as there is no relationship between medals and other entitlements for ADF service.
See the DHOAS website – www.dhoas.gov.au – or call the information number – 1300 434 627
Replacement service awards will only be issued to the entitled member or ex-serving member who earned the awards. The relatives of deceased members cannot receive replacement awards. More …
Defence policies on honours, awards and commendations have been reviewed. More...
The Government has announced changes to military awards in response to the independent review of the Battle of Long Tan recognition. It has also announced its response to the review of service recognition for RAAF Ubon (1965-68). More...
The Government has announced the appointment of the inaugural Chair and members of the independent Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal. Click here for the media release.
The tribunal’s website is www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au
Australian Defence Force personnel are involved in a number of operations around the world. Details of these operations can be found on the Defence Force website.
Personnel serving in these operations may be awarded medals to recognise this service, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria. The medals awarded will normally be either the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) or the Australian Service Medal (ASM), with appropriate clasp, depending on the nature of the particular operation. The Afghanistan Medal and the Iraq Medal also are awarded for service in those campaigns.
Personnel serving on current operations will be nominated for relevant awards on nominal rolls raised by deploying authorities. Any questions on these entitlements are to be referred to the member's chain of command.
Information on the medals and basic eligibility criteria are provided on the Campaign Medals Since 1975 page.
Policy statements by the United Nations on retrospective award of the UN Medal and UN Medal ribbon numerals can be found on the General Information page.
Web page last updated 16 January, 2012