Australian Defence Medal

Criteria

• 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.

  Description

• The Australian Defence Medal is a circular medal of cupro-nickel. The obverse features a stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms 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 use of the wreath acknowledges the sacrifice of those who have died in service or been discharged due to injury resulting from service, a secondary qualification for the medal.
• 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.