The following emergencies have been declared nationally-significant events for the purposes of the National Emergency Medal:
- Bushfires 2019-20
- North Queensland Floods 2019
- Tropical Cyclone Debbie 2017
- Queensland Floods 2010-11 and Cyclone Yasi
- Victorian Bushfires 2009
How it is awarded
The National Emergency Medal is administered by the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat at Government House who provide secretariat support to the National Emergency Medal Committee.
The National Emergency Medal Committee is independent of government and is made up of five members including three community members and two ex-officio members. Committee members are appointed by the Minister with responsibility for Australian honours.
The National Emergency Medal Committee are responsible for providing advice to the responsible Minister on whether an event should be declared a nationally-significant emergency for the purpose of the National Eemergency Medal. On the National Emergency Medal Committee’s advice, the Minister makes a recommendation to the Governor-General.
Eligibility criteria for the award of the Medal is detailed in the declaration for each event.
Sustained service: is awarded to persons who rendered a minimum duration of service during specified dates in specified places in response to nationally-significant emergencies within Australia.
Significant service: is awarded to persons who rendered extraordinary service in response to nationally-significant emergencies within Australia. Applicants do not need to meet the sustained service criteria.
Nominations for sustained or significant service may come from relevant organisations or from members of the community. As each nomination for an individual to receive the award requires verification from the deploying emergency response organisation, nominations from deploying organisations are preferred.
Further information and nomination forms are available on the Governor-General’s website.
History
The National Emergency Medal Regulations 2011 were approved by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Australia in October 2011.
The National Emergency Medal complements the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal, which honours members of eligible Australian groups for humanitarian service overseas in hazardous circumstances.
Medal design
A stylised representation of Australia’s national floral emblem, the wattle, is the central symbol of the National Emergency Medal. The image around the central image is of flowering wattle, representing the accomplishments and sacrifices made by Australians in the service of others in times of crisis. The back of the medal repeats the ring of flowering wattle, and details the award and recipient.
Medal ribbon
The National Emergency Medal ribbon colours match the colours of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal ribbon. The colours of the ribbon are gold and eucalyptus green. Gold symbolises the Australian sun, optimism and hope. Eucalyptus green complements the symbolism of the medal design. The seven gold coloured bands represent Australia’s six states, with the seventh representing the territories.