How it is awarded
The Governor-General awards the Ambulance Service Medal on recommendation from the appropriate Commonwealth, state and territory ministers.
The medal is awarded annually as follows:
- One medal for every 1000, or part of 1000, full-time permanent members of a State’s ambulance service.
- One medal for every 5000, or part of 5000, part-time, volunteer or auxiliary members of a State’s ambulance service.
- One additional medal to a full-time permanent member, part-time member, volunteer or auxiliary member.
- One medal may be awarded each year for ambulance members in each of the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and the combined external Territories.
Awards are announced in January and June each year.
Only one award can be made to an individual. Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal ASM.
History
Along with the Emergency Services Medal, the Ambulance Service Medal was introduced into the Australian system of honours in 1999.
The Ambulance Services Medal was established on 7 July 1999 by Letters Patent.
On 23 December 2021, amendments to the Ambulance Service Medal Regulations were approved by Her Majesty the Queen enabling the recognition of COVID-19 related service above the annual quotas.
Medal design
The Ambulance Service Medal is circular and of silver and bronze tones. The front of the medal displays the Federation Star superimposed on a modified Maltese Cross, which is representative of ambulance services. This rests on a bed of Australian wattle.
The Federation Star is surrounded by twenty-four balls signifying the twenty-four hours per day the Ambulance Service is available to the community.
The back of the medal bears the inscription ‘For Distinguished Service’.
Medal ribbon
The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon features a chevron or V-shaped pattern. The angles are derived from the open end of the arm of the cross. The chevrons are in alternate red, white, red, silver-grey.