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To qualify for a Defence Force Service Medal, a member is required to complete 15 years of efficient remunerated service prior to 20 April 1999 and must have been serving on or after 14 February 1975. A minimum of 12 years in the regular forces and up to 3 years in the reserve (to total 15 years)…

The Conspicuous Service Medal was introduced in 1989 to recognise meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations. Design The medal is nickel-silver with the obverse having a central device of the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse has a horizontal panel…

The Conspicuous Service Cross was introduced in 1989 to recognise outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgement or dedication, in non-warlike situations. Design The medal is a nickel-silver modified Maltese cross with the arms of the…

The Commendation for Gallantry was introduced in 1991 and awarded for acts of gallantry in action that are considered worthy of recognition. Design The insignia is gold-plated with a Federation Star superimposed centrally on a row of flames. The insignia is mounted on a plain orange ribbon. A…

The Champion Shots Medal was introduced in 1988 to encourage skill in small arms shooting in the Australian Defence Force. One medal is granted annually to each of the Services to be awarded to the respective winner of the Service competition. The competition is held at the Australian Army Skill at…

The Canine Operational Service Medal was introduced on 8 June 2017 to recognise the contribution Military Working Dogs make whilst serving on operations. The medal forms part of Defence's internal recognition scheme and is not part of the Australian Honours and Awards system. The Australian Defence…

The Australian Sports Medal was awarded in 2000 to those who contributed to Australia's sporting excellence. This medal recognises the efforts of a range of Australians including: current and former competitors coaches sports scientists office holders those who maintain sporting facilities and…

The Australian Service Medal 1945-75 was approved in 1995. It was awarded for service in, or in connection with declared non-warlike operations during the period commencing on 3 September 1945 and ending on 16 September 1975. Design The medal is nickel-silver with the Australian Coat of Arms…

The Australian General Service Medal for Korea was approved on 24 November 2009. The medal was awarded for service while participating in operations in South Korea in the period commencing 28 July 1953 and ending at the end of 19 April 1956. Design The medal is circular, 38 millimetres in diameter…

The Australian Defence Medal recognises Australian Defence Force personnel who have: enlisted for an indefinite period and rendered 4 years qualifying service enlisted for a fixed period and completed the specified period of enlistment, or a period of 4 years, whichever is the lesser. Eligibility…

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government established an Emergency Medal. This medal recognises service by uniformed emergency services and uniformed response agencies who perform in dangerous circumstances or in a significant emergency in the ACT. The medal was initially awarded for…

The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal is for Officers or Instructors of cadets who have, on or after 14 February 1975, completed 15 years qualifying service. Clasps are awarded for additional 5 year periods of qualifying service. Prior to 1975, adult officers and senior instructors of cadets in…

The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 was approved in 1997. It may be awarded for service in, or in connection with prescribed warlike operations from 3 September 1945 until 13 February 1975. Design The medal is nickel-silver. The obverse has a Federation Star surrounded by the legend The…

The purpose of the Army Combat Badge (ACB) is to recognise the unique service of a member who deployed on warlike operations and whose mission involved the likelihood or actual engagement in close combat. The ACB is to be worn by eligible personnel on the left breast above medals or medal ribbons…

The Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal was introduced in 2001 to recognise those who completed their obligation under the 2 National Service schemes that had operated in Australia between 1951 and 1972. Eligibility for the medal is dependent upon a person's obligation to serve and upon…

The Afghanistan Medal was introduced in 2004 to recognise Australian involvement in military operations in Afghanistan and other prescribed areas within Operation Slipper, Operation Palate, and Operation Palate II. The eligibility requirement is 30 days service or 30 sorties in the prescribed area…

The Air Force Ground Combat Badge recognises service by permanent or reserve Air Force members whose deployed role required them to operate within a combat or escalated threat environment beyond that routinely experienced within a deployed base. In exceptional circumstances, service in a non-…

Since 1975, 1945 to 1975, Long Service Awards, Australian Defence Medal, Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal, Badges.

The following information is advice regarding at home care of medals.

Defence Honours and Awards has guidance to cover the replacement of lost, stolen or damaged medals.

Recipients of awards are granted insignia as a visual expression of the honour conferred on them. When a person holds more than one award, the main insignia are mounted on a medal bar in the order set out in the Australian order of wearing.

The War Medal 1939–45 was awarded for 28 days full-time service in the armed forces between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Operational and non-operational service may be counted if it was 28 days or more in duration. In the merchant navy, there was a requirement that the 28 days should have…

The Victory Medal was authorised in 1919 to commemorate the victory of the Allied Forces over the Central Powers. Each of the Allied nations issued a Victory Medal to their own nationals. Each nation used the standard ribbon but used different designs on the medal to reflect national identity and…

The Queen’s South Africa Medal was awarded for service in the Boer War in South Africa. The Australian colonies raised units and a number of Australians who were not able to join Australian units enlisted in British and South African units. Design The medal is a silver and bronze medal with the…

The Pacific Star was awarded for entry into operational service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Navy and Merchant Navy personnel were eligible if the 1939-45 Star was earned by 6 months service or if they entered the Pacific Theatre between 2 March…

The Naval General Service Medal 1915-62 was instituted in 1915 for service in minor naval war-like operations. The medal was issued with a clasp denoting the area or purpose of operations. Subsequent service was recognised by the award of further clasps to be worn on the original medal. Design The…

The Mercantile Marine Medal was awarded to members of the Mercantile Marine who qualified for the British War Medal 1914-20 and served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger zone. Design The medal is bronze with the effigy of George V on the obverse. The reverse shows a merchant ship moving…

The Korea Medal was instituted in July 1951 and awarded for service in Korea between 1 July 1950 and 27 July 1953. Eligibility Personnel who served in the Korean War may be eligible to receive up to 3 medals: Korea Medal United Nations Service Medal (Korea) Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75…

Following Queen Victoria’s death during the South African War, King Edward VII authorised a medal to be awarded to all who: served in South Africa on or after 1 January 1902 completed 18 months service before 1 June 1902. The medal was never issued alone, but always with the Queen's Medal. Design…

The Italy Star was granted for operational service in: Sicily up to 17 August 1943 Sardinia up to 19 September 1943 Corsica up to 4 October 1943 the Aegean, Dodecanese, Greece and Yugoslavia up to 8 May 1945. Design The 6–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design…