Defence can replace service and campaign medals from both the Imperial and Australian Honours Systems, which have been issued from the Second World War to current operations. The following awards cannot be replaced by Defence as they are administered by the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat at Government House.
- Australian Sports Medal
- Honours and Decorations, such as the Conspicuous Service Medal or Distinguished Service Cross.
- The National Emergency Medal and Clasps.
- The National Medal and Clasps.
The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal cannot be replaced by Defence as it is administered by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Honours bestowed under the Imperial Honour System can only be replaced if stock is available.
Campaign awards issued by the Australian Government, acting on behalf of the foreign power, can be replaced. These are:
- The United Nations Service Medal Korea
- The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
- The Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait Medal.
Other foreign awards will not be replaced by Defence.
Further information on how to apply for a replacement can be found on the Application process page.
Lost or damaged medals
When medals have been damaged, lost or stolen while in possession of the eligible recipient (the serving or ex-serving member) they may be replaced, subject to eligibility. Medals in possession of family members of a deceased Defence member may be replaced if they were damaged, lost or stolen after 1 December 1974.
Replacement awards will not be provided until a period of 2 months has lapsed from the date of the loss to allow adequate time for recovery.
Only awards that can be returned (e.g. broken or damaged) or those lost during a natural disaster will be issued as original. Medals that cannot be returned will be engraved with a 'D' for duplicate.
Lost in transit
Replacement of awards that were approved and dispatched but not received can be requested using the Awards application form. A minimum of 2 months must have passed after the dispatch date before the award can be claimed as lost in transit or never received.
Non-received awards will be replaced as original issue if replacements are applied for within 3 years from the dispatch date. If replaced after a period of 3 years from the dispatch date, the replacement awards will be engraved with a ‘D’ denoting duplicate.
Name changes
Where an individual has legally changed their name since the date the medal was earned, the recipient may request the award be replaced with their current name engraved.
Purchasing replicas
Replica medals can be purchased from medals dealers or commercial military memorabilia outlets. Many of these replicas are high quality and can be difficult to distinguish from the originals.