In November 2008, the Australian Government formally accepted an offer from the then President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers to wear the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal (TLSM). The eligibility criteria was expanded to recognise a broader cohort of Australians who served on mandated missions (including Defence Cooperation Programs) in Timor- Leste since 1999.

The medal recognises the contribution of the men and women who supported peace and stability operations in Timor-Leste.

Eligibility

ADF personnel and veterans and AFP officers and veterans who served at least 30 days on mandated missions in Timor-Leste since 1999 will be eligible. This includes those withdrawn due to injury or medical necessity and uniformed members of the Defence Cooperation Program and the Timor-Leste Police Development Program. 

The President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is the approving authority for the medal and determines eligibility for the award. Defence does not have the authority to review these decisions.

Wearing the award

Former serving

ADF and AFP veterans who served for 30 days or more in Timor-Leste are approved to purchase a medal from a reputable medal dealer.

Current serving

ADF personnel

Defence will review the service records of members who served 30 days or more in Timor-Leste, and provide approval for those eligible to wear the medal.

ADF personnel should check their personnel records (PMKeyS) to confirm they have been approved to wear the medal. Following approval for the TLSM, eligible ADF personnel will be required to purchase the award from a reputable medal dealer.

After 30 June 2026, ADF personnel who believe they are eligible, and have not been approved to wear the medal, should submit an application form to the Directorate of Honours and Awards. Within the online application select Foreign Awards; ADF as the application type; and list the award name Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal (TLSM) in the comments field under the 4-Service Details tab.

The TLSM is to be worn on the left breast in accordance with the Australian Order of Wearing Honours and Awards (Order of Wear).

Additionally, ADF members and veterans are to wear the TLSM in accordance with information provided on the Wearing honours and awards page for Foreign awards.

Any questions about TLSM approval to wear process, should be emailed to dha.tlsm@defence.gov.au.

AFP officers

AFP officers are to contact honours-awards@afp.gov.au for further information.

Medal purchase and replacements

While the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has extended the eligibility criteria, the Government of Timor-Leste is not issuing medals to individual recipients. Eligible individuals may purchase the TLSM at their own expense from a reputable medals dealer. 

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 replacement from a medals dealer at their own expense.