After the end of World War II in 1945 Imperial medals continued to be awarded for campaign service by Australian personnel. These campaigns included the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation and the Vietnam War.
The Australian system of honours and awards introduced in 1975 includes medals for warlike and non-warlike operational service after that date. A decision that there should be similar uniquely Australian medals awarded for service in the campaigns during the period 1945 until 1975 resulted in the introduction of the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 and the Australian Service Medal 1945-75.
The campaign medals are worn in the position notified by the Governor-General in The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.