The Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) was introduced in 1989 to recognise outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgement or dedication, in non-warlike situations.
The CSC is a nickel-silver modified Maltese cross with the arms of the Cross interspersed with fluted rays. The obverse bears a central device of the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse has a horizontal panel for recipient details.
The CSC ribbon has alternating diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold.
A further award of the CSC is denoted by a nickel-silver bar with a central replica of the Cross flanked by laurel leaves. When the ribbon is worn alone, the award of a bar is indicated by a ribbon bar emblem in the form of the Cross.
Recipients of the Conspicuous Service Cross are entitled to the postnominal letters ‘CSC’. Recipients of a bar to the CSC add ‘and Bar’ to the postnominal.
The source document for the CSC is:
CAG S108 of 7 May 1990 (Letters Patent and Regulations).
The nomination procedure is detailed in Defence Instruction (General) PERS 31-5 Australian Defence Force Policy on Nomination Procedures for the Order of Australia and Conspicuous Service Decorations
The CSC is worn in the position notified by the Governor-General in The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.
Web page last updated 13 December, 2011