Australian Defence Medal
The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years' service. It was established on 20 March 2006; however, it recognises qualifying efficient service of current and former Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel, including National Servicemen, who have served since 3 September 1945. It is estimated that up to one million current and ex-serving personnel are eligible for the award.
Australian Defence Medal
- Name
- Australian Defence Medal
- Field
- Australian honours system
- Period
- 2006
- Region
- Australia
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Documentary summary
The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years' service. It was established on 20 March 2006; however, it recognises qualifying efficient service of current and former Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel, including National Servicemen, who have served since 3 September 1945. It is estimated that up to one million current and ex-serving personnel are eligible for the award.
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In this article
Overview
Overview
At 30 June 2010, a total of 242,576 had been awarded, with 340,867 awarded by early 2022.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Australian Defence Medal • Presenter — Australia • Type — Service • Eligibility — Members of the Australian Defence Force • Awarded For — 4 years' service, completion of initial minimum period of service, death during service, or discharge as a result of injury • Status — Currently issued • Clasps — None • Established — 20 March 2006 • Total Awarded — 340,867 • Precedence Label — Order of Wear • Higher — National Medal • Lower — Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
Criteria
Criteria
The criteria also include those who could not serve the four-year qualifying period or complete an initial enlistment period for one or more of the following reasons: • the death of a member during service. • the discharge of the member as medically unfit due to compensable impairment. • the discharge of the member due to a prevailing discriminatory Defence policy, as determined by the Chief of the Defence Force.
Identity
Identity
Australian Defence Medal is classified as an Australian honours system. Associated with Australia. Recorded from 2006.
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
The full dated record · 2 entries
2006
Australian Defence Medal first recorded.
2006
Australian Defence Medal is recorded from 2006.
Places
Named by the record
Places
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- Australia
Named but not plotted · 1
Australian Defence Medal is associated with Australia.
Country
Description
• The Australian Defence Medal is a circular medal of cupro-nickel. The obverse features a stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms (as used on the Australia Service Medal 1939–45) with a sprig of wattle with the top outer edge inscribed with the words 'The Australian Defence Medal'. • The reverse has the words 'For Service' below the Crown of St Edward, surrounded by a wreath of wattle. • The ribbon colours include the black and red colour of the Flanders poppy and two white stripes to divide the red into three segments to denote the three services of the Australian Defence Force, and also represent the services contributing to the peace of Australia. • Recipients name and Service Number are engraved on the medals rim.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Australian Government. Australian Defence Medal. It's an Honour.
- 2.Department of Defence. Australian Defence Medal. Defence Honours & Awards.
- 3.Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. Report of the Inquiry into recognition for members and families of members of the ADF who are injured, wounded or killed in or as a result of service. 159. 2021.
- 4.Australian Government. The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards. It's an Honour.
- 5.Department of Defence. Australian Defence Medal: Questions and Answers. Defence Honours & Awards.
- 6.Australian Government. Award statistics. It's an Honour.
References
Citations
References
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reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Medals
1,069 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- August 1 MedalTerminology
- Australia Service Medal 1939–45Terminology
- Australian Active Service MedalTerminology
- Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975Terminology
- Australian General Service Medal KoreaTerminology
- Australian Operational Service MedalTerminology
- Australian Service Medal 1945–1975Terminology
- Austrian Armed Forces Operations MedalTerminology
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