In November 2008, the Australian Government formally accepted an offer from the former President of Timor-Leste for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to wear the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal (TLSM).

The medal was established to recognise those men and women who provided service in stability and peace operations in Timor-Leste from 1 May 2006.

The Governor-General approved approximately 7000 ADF members to receive and wear the medal.

The Government of Timor-Leste ceased awarding the TLSM at the end of 2012. No further applications were considered from 2013 onwards.

Eligibility

Defence recognises and acknowledges the deep and sincere friendship between Australia and Timor-Leste.

The Australian Embassy in Dili is seeking confirmation about a proposed expansion of the eligibility criteria of the TLSM. If eligibility is expanded, Defence will make information available for ADF members, veterans and families.

The eligibility criteria for the medal were as follows:

• Members qualify having served a minimum of 180 days continuous or accrued service in East Timor from 1 May 2006.
• Nominations will be considered for personnel that have served a minimum of 120 days from 1 May 2006.
• Nominations will be considered for personnel who served with a start date in May or June 2006 for a period at least 90 days.
• The President of the Republic may consider extraordinary cases outside the above time periods.

Supply of medals and replacements

The TLSM is a foreign award supplied by the Government of Timor-Leste.

Defence Honours and Awards in Defence does not assess for this award and is not the awarding authority. Replacement medals are not issued by Defence. When a foreign award that has been approved for wearing by Defence is lost or stolen, members can obtain a replica from a medals dealer at their own expense. 

To apply for approval to accept and wear foreign awards, submit an application with a certified true copy of the award certificate.