Requests regarding Defence awards can be submitted through the Awards application form. Applicants that are unable to submit an application online can contact Defence for further assistance.

For information about Defence Honours, refer to the Defence honours assessment process page.

Applicants using the online form must take note of the following advice.

  • Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge are the recommended browsers to use when completing the online application form. Other web browsers may not support the application.
  • Provide as much information as possible to assist with the application process. This can be done in the Supporting information section. Make note of any evidence and information that can be provided. If required, an assessor will make contact to discuss.
  • The 'Previous' and 'Next' buttons can be used to navigate between pages of the form. Note, applicatios cannot be saved and continued if closed before the form is submitted.
  • Terms and conditions must be accepted and consent to access medical records may be required. Further information about the way Defence collects, stores, uses and discloses personal information is available on the Privacy Policy page.
  • Upon submission, an on-screen notification with a reference number will appear, and a confirmation email will be sent within a few minutes. Please record this reference number for future use.
  • Applications are assessed by teams that specialise in a period of service or a type of service. Some applications require deeper levels of research to determine eligibility, resulting in some applications taking longer to assess than others.

A support guide is available to assist with using the online application form.

Defence awards online application form support guide (PDF, 1.31 MB)

Application types

Replacement medals

There are a range of circumstances where Defence may replace medals. Information about eligibility and awards that can be replaced is available on the Replacement medals page. 

As part of the assessment process, applicants will be required to complete a Statutory Declaration to include:

  • date of the incident
  • circumstances regarding the loss, damage or theft of the awards.

Applicants can also include copies of reports to authorities to support the request.

Full assessment

Members, former serving members or families wishing to obtain a list of entitled awards can make a request using the Awards application form.

Unissued service awards of deceased members

Granting of unissued service awards of deceased members is sometimes referred to as the ‘posthumous issue’. Immediate family of the deceased member that are entitled to unissued awards are listed in descending priority of entitlement.

  • spouse/de facto spouse
  • child
  • grandchild
  • parent
  • sibling.

Those not listed as an immediate family member can apply for special consideration for the granting of unissued awards. Applicants must provide a statement that fully describes their justification for the claim.

Examples of circumstances that might apply include:

  • no member of the immediate family remains
  • the applicant holds the deceased recipient’s original medals by gift or bequest
  • an institution such as an approved museum, an orphanage or school may have been bequeathed or gifted the medals.

Statutory Declarations may also be required for applicants who are requesting information regarding a deceased member’s awards. Defence needs to ensure the applicant’s connection to the deceased member meets the unissued awards entitlement.

Australian Defence Medal and Defence Long Service Awards

The application form can be used to apply for the Australian Defence Medal and Defence Long Service Awards and clasps.

Members with reserve service or breaks in service, or those who have changed from one Service Branch to another (Navy, Army or Air Force), can use the online form to submit an application.

Current serving members who have permanent service will not be required to submit an application.

Foreign awards

Applications to wear foreign service awards on Australian Defence Force uniforms or lateral transfer can be made through the form.

Documentary evidence of the award/s will be required. Details of the award, including dates and location of service, should be provided. It is requested that applicants have award certificates and associated documents translated to English. An assessor will contact applicants if additional information is required.

Medal engraving

All medals are engraved with the recipient's service number or Personnel Management Key Solutions (PMKeyS) number followed by the recipient’s initials and surname. If the qualifying service occurred prior to 22 February 2002, the medal is engraved with a service number instead of the PMKeyS number.

The details engraved on a medal are determined by the information held on record at the time of assessment. Where an individual has legally changed their name since the date the medal was earned, the individual may request their current name be engraved on the medal prior to issue.

Timeframes

Applications are assessed by teams that specialise in a period of service or a type of service. The assessment process sometimes requires researching historical documents that are not held by Defence or are not available online. This results in some applications taking longer to assess than others.

Once the assessment is complete, any unissued awards are processed. This involves the delegate making a recommendation to the relevant approving authority, which is usually the Governor-General. Once approved, awards are sent for engraving and dispatch. Medals are dispatched through Australia Post by Parcel Post to the address provided in the application. Medals for current serving members are sent to the unit as shown on PMKeyS for presentation.

If an outcome is not received within 6 months, applicants can contact Defence for an update.

Some awards require additional research or advice from subject matter experts and a timeframe for completion cannot be advised. They are:

  • Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection
  • Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism and Special Recovery
  • Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations
  • Australian Service Medal with Clasp ‘CT/SR’
  • Australian Service Medal with Clasp ‘SPECIAL OPS’.

Priority processing

Applications from living veterans who are 85 years of age or older will be actioned as a priority upon request. This does not extend to family members or applicants who are 85 years of age or older applying for a deceased ex-serving member's entitlement.

After submitting an application and receiving an acknowledgement, applicants may email honours.awards@defence.gov.au to identify they meet this criteria. In the email, include:

  • first and last name
  • the veteran's date of birth
  • application reference number (received when the application was submitted).

Reassessment of Defence decision 

Defence acknowledges that some applicants may not receive the outcome that they were seeking. After receiving a Defence decision, applicants may seek further clarification or may wish to provide additional information to support Defence to reassess the decision made. 

Submit a request for a reassessment via the Contacts on this page.

Independent review

After a decision is made by Defence, an applicant may request an independent review by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. Guidance information for applicants is available on their website.