The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards

The order of wearing honours and awards is determined by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The most recent order was published on 25 September 2007 and is available from the It's an Honour website.

A modified version of the order of wearing, designed to include medals issued since the official list was published, is available below.

This list includes Honours and Awards which are administered within Australia by different organisations, not just Defence. These organisations are:

Honours and Awards listed in the Schedule and Annexes in BOLD print are:

  • those within the Australian honours and awards system
  • those conferred by The Sovereign in exercise of the Royal Prerogative
  • those within the Order of St John
  • foreign awards, the acceptance and wearing of which have been authorised by the Governor-General.
 
Ribbon Bar Award Name Post Nominal Administered By Notes
Victoria Cross ribbon
Victoria Cross VC GH 1
George Cross ribbon
George Cross GC UK  
Cross of Valour ribbon
Cross of Valour CV GH  
Knight/Lady of the Garter ribbon
Knight/Lady of the Garter KG/LG UK  
Knight/Lady of the Thistle ribbon
Knight/Lady of the Thistle KT/LT UK  
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Bath ribbon
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath GCB UK  
Order of Merit ribbon
Order of Merit OM UK  
Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia ribbon
Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia AK/AD GH 2
Knight/Dame Grand Cross Order of St Michael and St George ribbon
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George GCMG UK  
Member of the Royal Victorian Order - Ribbon
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order GCVO UK  
Knight/Grand Dame Order of the British Empire
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire GBE UK  
Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia ribbon
Companion of the Order of Australia AC GH  
Companion of Honour ribbon
Companion of Honour CH UK  
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath ribbon
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath KCB/DCB UK  
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George ribbon
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George KCMG/DCMG UK  
Member of the Royal Victorian Order - Ribbon
Knight/Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order KCVO/DCVO UK  
Commander of the Order of the British Empire ribbon
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire KBE/DBE UK  
Knight Bachelor ribbon
Knight Bachelor (confirs the title of 'Sir', no post nominal)   UK  
Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia ribbon
Officer of the Order of Australia AO ​​ GH  
Companion of the Order of the Bath ribbon
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB UK  
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George ribbon
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George CMG UK  
Member of the Royal Victorian Order - Ribbon
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order CVO UK  
Commander of the Order of the British Empire ribbon
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE UK  
Star of Gallantry
Star of Gallantry SG GH  
Star of Courage
Star of Courage  SC GH  
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order ribbon
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order DSO UK  
Distinguished Service Cross ribbon
Distinguished Service Cross DSC GH  
Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia ribbon
Member of the Order of Australia AM GH  
Member of the Royal Victorian Order - Ribbon
Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order LVO UK  
Officer of the Order of the British Empire ribbon
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE UK  
Companion of the Imperial Service Order ribbon
Companion of the Imperial Service Order ISO UK  
Member of the Royal Victorian Order - Ribbon
Member of the Royal Victorian Order MVO UK  
Member of the Order of the British Empire ribbon
Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE UK  
Conspicuous Service Cross ribbon
Conspicuous Service Cross CSC GH  
Nursing Service Cross ribbon
Nursing Service Cross NSC GH  
Royal Red Cross 1st Class ribbon
Royal Red Cross (1st Class) RRC UK  
Distinguished Service Cross ribbon
Distinguished Service Cross DSC UK  
Military Cross ribbon
Military Cross MC UK  
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon
Distinguished Flying Cross  DFC UK  
Air Force Cross ribbon
Air Force Cross AFC UK  
Royal Red Cross 2nd Class ribbon
Royal Red Cross (2nd Class) ARRC UK  
Medal of Gallantry ribbon
Medal for Gallantry MG GH  
Bravery Medal ribbon
Bravery Medal BM GH  
Distinguished Service Medal ribbon
Distinguished Service Medal DSM GH  
Public Service Medal ribbon
Public Service Medal PSM PM&C  
Australian Police Medal ribbon
Australian Police Medal APM PM&C  
Australian Fire Service Medal ribbon
Australian Fire Service Medal AFSM PM&C  
Ambulance Service Medal ribbon
Ambulance Service Medal ASM PM&C  
Emergency Services Medal ribbon
Emergency Service Medal ESM PM&C  
Australian Corrections Medal ribbon
Australian Corrections Medal ACM PM&C  
Australian Intelligence Medal ribbon
Australian Intelligence Medal AIM PM&C  
Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia ribbon
Medal of the Order of Australia OAM GH  
Order of St John ribbon
Order of St John   UK 3
Distinguished Conduct Medal ribbon
Distinguished Conduct Medal DCM UK  
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal ribbon
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal CGM UK  
George Medal ribbon
George Medal GM UK  
Conspicuous Service Medal ribbon
Conspicuous Service Medal CSM GH  
Australian Antarctic Medal ribbon
Australian Antarctic Medal AAM PM&C 4
Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry ribbon
Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry QPM UK  
Queen's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry ribbon
Queen’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry QFSM UK  
Distinguished Service Medal ribbon
Distinguished Service Medal DSM UK  
Military Medal ribbon
Military Medal MM UK  
Distinguished Flying Medal ribbon
Distinguished Flying Medal DFM UK  
Air Force Medal ribbon
Air Force Medal AFM UK  
Queen's Gallantry Medal ribbon
Queen’s Gallantry Medal QGM UK  
Royal Victoria Medal ribbon
Royal Victorian Medal RVM UK  
British Empire Medal ribbon
British Empire Medal BEM UK  
Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service ribbon
Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service QPM UK  
Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service ribbon
Queen’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service QFSM UK  
Commendation for Gallantry ribbon
Commendation for Gallantry   GH  
Commendation for Brave Conduct ribbon
Commendation for Brave Conduct   GH  
Insignia worn on Campaign Medal Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct   UK  
Commendation for Distinguished Service ribbon
Commendation for Distinguished Service   GH  

War medals, campaign medals, active service medals and service medals:

These medals were issued for service during the Boer War 1899 to 1902. They are no longer issued, and cannot be replaced. Replica medals can be purchased by searching "replica medals" online.

 
Ribbon Bar Award
1914 Star 1914 Star
1914-15 Star 1914–1915 Star Note: 5
British War Medal British War Medal
Mercantile Marine War Medal Mercantile Marine War Medal 
Victory Medal Victory Medal 
Naval General Service Medal 1915-1962 Naval General Service Medal 1915–1962 Note: 67
General Service Medal 1918-1962 General Service Medal 1918–1962 Note: 67

Medals for service in World War I were awarded by the Government of the United Kingdom following the end of the war. The issuing of these was, and still is, administered by the Department of Defence. 

Ribbon Bar Award
1939–1945 Star 1939–1945 Star
Atlantic Star Atlantic Star Note: 8
Air Crew Europe Star Air Crew Europe Star Note: 8
Arctic Star Arctic Star 
Africa Star Africa Star 
Pacific Star Pacific Star Note: 9
Burma Star Burma Star Note: 9
Italy Star Italy Star 
France and Germany Star France and Germany Star Note: 8
Defence Medal Defence Medal 
War Medal 1939–1945 War Medal 1939–1945 
Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal 1939–1945

Medals for service in World War II were awarded by the Government of the United Kingdom following the end of the war. The issuing of these was, and still is, administered by the Department of Defence. 

Ribbon Bar Award
Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 Note: 7
Korea Medal Korea Medal 
United Nations Service Medal for Korea United Nations Service Medal for Korea Note: 10
Naval General Service Medal 1915–1962 Naval General Service Medal 1915–1962 Note: 67
General Service Medal 1918–1962 General Service Medal 1918–1962 Note: 6,7
General Service Medal 1962 General Service Medal 1962 Note: 7
Vietnam Medal Vietnam Medal 
Vietnam Logistics and Support Medal Vietnam Logistics and Support Medal Note: 11
Australian Active Service Medal Australian Active Service Medal Note: 7
International Force East Timor Medal International Force East Timor Medal 
Afghanistan Medal Afghanistan Medal 
Iraq Medal Iraq Medal 
Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 
Australian General Service Medal for Korea Australian General Service Medal for Korea 
Australian Service Medal Australian Service Medal Note: 7

AOSM Border Protection Border Protection

AOSM Greater Middle East Operations Greater Middle East Operations

AOSM Special Operations Special Operations 

AOSM CT/SR CT/SR

Australian Operational Service Medal (AOSM) Note: 12

AOSM Civilian Australian Operational Service Medal (CIVILIAN)
Rhodesia Medal Rhodesia Medal

The medals listed above include both Imperial and Australian Honours and Awards. All of these medals are administered by the Department of Defence.

 

Ribbon Bar Award
Police Overseas Service Medal Police Overseas Service Medal Note: 7
Humanitarian Overseas Service Meda Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal Note: 7
National Emergency Medal National Emergency Medal 
Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945 Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945
National Police Service Medal National Police Service Medal

The medals listed above are administered by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

 

Ribbon Bar Award
Polar Medal Polar Medal
Imperial Service Medal Imperial Service Medal

The medals listed above are administered by the United Kingdom.

Ribbon Bar Award
  Kind Edward VII Coronation Medal
King George V Coronation Medal King George V Coronation Medal
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
King George VI Coronation Medal King George VI Coronation Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

Coronation and Jubilee medals are administered by the United Kingdom, they are given as gifts of the Sovereign. 

Ribbon Bar Award
80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal ​​​​​​administered by the Department of Defence
Australian Sports Medal Australian Sports Medal
Centenary Medal Centenary Medal

The medals above are administered by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Ribbon Bar Award
Defence Force Service Medal Defence Force Service Medal
Reserve Force Decoration Reserve Force Decoration – RFD
Reserve Force Medal Reserve Force Medal
Defence Long Service Medal Defence Long Service Medal
National Medal National Medal
Australian Defence Medal Australian Defence Medal
Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
Champion Shots Medal Champion Shots Medal

The medals listed above are administered by the Department of Defence.

 

  • Long Service Medals (Imperial) Note: 13
Ribbon Bar Award
Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

The above medals are an example of the type of Imperial efficiency and long service awards to be worn here.

 

Ribbon Bar Award
Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal administered by the Department of Defence
  Independence and Anniversary Medals (in order of date of receipt)
  Foreign Awards (in order of date of authorisation of their acceptance and wearing)
  1. Refers to the Imperial Victoria Cross and the Victoria Cross for Australia.
  2. Provision for further awards at this level within the Order of Australia was removed by Her Majesty The Queen on 3 March 1986 on the advice of the Prime Minister.
  3. Listed to indicate where any awards within the Order of St John should be worn; however, the Service Medal of the Order of St John should be worn as a Long Service Medal after all other Imperial Long Service awards. Post nominals within the Order of St John are not recognised as notified in the Governor-General’s media release of 14 August 1982. (The Life Saving Medal is worn on the right side.)
  4. The Australian Antarctic Medal was known as the Antarctic Medal until 18 December 1997.
  5. Recipients of the 1914 Star are not eligible for the award of the 1914–1915 Star.
  6. The order of wearing of the Naval General Service Medal 1915–1962 and General Service Medal 1918–1962 (Army and Air Force) will vary from person to person depending on when the person earned the first clasp. If the first clasp relates to service between World War I and World War II, the medals should be worn immediately after World War I war medals. If the first clasp relates to service after 2 September 1945, the medals should be worn immediately after the United Nations Service Medal for Korea.
  7. Clasps to these medals should be worn on the ribbon in order of date of receipt.
  8. Only one of these three Stars could be awarded to an individual. Should a person have qualified for two of these awards, the Star first earned is worn with the clasp of the second Star. Only one Star and one clasp may be worn even if the person qualified for all three Stars.
  9. Only one of these two Stars could be awarded to an individual. Should a person have qualified for both the Pacific Star and the Burma Star, the Star first earned was awarded together with the appropriate clasp denoting the service that would have qualified for the other Star.
  10. Uniquely, although a foreign award, the United Nations Service Medal for Korea is worn immediately after the Korea Medal. All other foreign awards for which official permission has been given to accept and wear are worn as foreign awards.
  11. A person who has been awarded the Vietnam Medal, or who is eligible for the award of the Vietnam Medal, is not eligible for the award of the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal.
  12. Worn in order of date of qualifying service.
  13. Refers to Imperial efficiency and long service awards.