List of Australian honours

There are 60 Australian honours included on the A-Z list below. If you are seeking information about Imperial Awards that commenced in Australia in 1901 and were phased out by the late 1980s, you will find a separate A-Z listing of these in the Imperial Awards section.

Afghanistan Medal

The Afghanistan Medal recognises service of Australian Defence Force personnel in designated operations in the Afghanistan region from 11 October 2001. 

Ambulance Service Medal

The Ambulance Service Medal recognises distinguished service by the men and women of Australia’s ambulance organisations.

Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal

The 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal was presented to all 71 surviving Great War veterans for Anzac Day 1999.

Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal

The Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal is a commemorative medal awarded to Australians for their service in post-war national service schemes.

Australian Active Service Medal

The Australian Active Service Medal recognises service of Australian Defence Force and certain other persons in prescribed warlike operations.

Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975

The Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 recognises the service of Australian Defence Force and certain other persons in prescribed warlike operations such as the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation and the Vietnam War.

Australian Antarctic Medal

The Australian Antarctic Medal, previously called the Antarctic Medal, is awarded for outstanding service in scientific research or exploration in connection with an Australian Antarctic expedition or for support of such work.

Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal

The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal recognises long and efficient service by officers and instructors in the Australian Cadet Forces. It is awarded for 15 years service. 

Australian Corrections Medal

The Australian Corrections Medal is awarded for distinguished service by an operational member of an Australian state or territory civilian correctional service for adults.

Australian Defence Medal

The Australian Defence Medal recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service, whichever was the lesser.

Australian Fire Service Medal

The Australian Fire Service Medal recognises distinguished service by members of Australian fire services. It is awarded to paid and volunteer members.

Australian General Service Medal - Korea

The Australian General Service Medal for Korea recognises the service of those former Defence Force personnel who completed 30 days in South Korea during the post-Armistice period from 28 July 1953 to 19 April 1956.

Australian Intelligence Medal

The Australian Intelligence Medal may be awarded to a person who, as a member of the National Intelligence Community, has given distinguished service that directly contributed to national intelligence priorities, requirements or capabilities.

Australian Operational Service Medal

The introduction of the Australian Operational Service Medal to replace the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) and the Australian Service Medal (ASM) provides for recognition of Defence-related service.

Australian Police Medal

The Australian Police Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.

Australian Service Medal

The Australian Service Medal recognises military and other service in prescribed peacekeeping and non-warlike operations. 

Australian Service Medal 1939-1945

The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945 recognises service by Australia's armed forces and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.

Australian Service Medal 1945-1975

The Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 recognises service in prescribed peacekeeping or non-warlike operations.

Australian Sports Medal

The Australian Sports Medal (2020) recognises individuals who have participated as official members of an Australian national team at declared international multi-sport events, commencing with the Invictus Games held in Sydney in 2018.

Bravery Medal

The Bravery Medal is awarded for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

Centenary Medal

The Centenary Medal commemorates 100 years of federation and acknowledges the challenges of the new century by recognising citizens and other people who made a contribution to Australian society or government.

Champion Shots Medal

The Champion Shots Medal encourages skill in arms shooting in the Australian Defence Force.

Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945

The Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945 recognises the service of eligible civilians in Australia during World War II.

Commendation for Brave Conduct

The Commendation for Brave Conduct is conferred for an act of bravery that is worthy of recognition.

Commendation for Distinguished Service

The Commendation for Distinguished Service is awarded for the distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations to members of the Australian Defence Force.

Commendation for Gallantry

The Commendation for Gallantry is awarded to military personnel for acts of gallantry in action considered worthy of recognition.

Companion of the Order of Australia

The Companion of the Order of Australia is awarded for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or humanity at large.

Conspicuous Service Cross

The Australian Conspicuous Service Cross is awarded for outstanding devotion to duty or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgement or dedication, in non-warlike situations.

Conspicuous Service Medal

The Australian Conspicuous Service Medal is awarded for meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-war like situations.

Cross of Valour

The Cross of Valour is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.

Defence Force Service Medal

The Defence Force Service Medal was awarded to full-time service personnel for 15 years diligent service in the Australian Defence Force.

Defence Long Service Medal

The Defence Long Service Medal recognises 15 years diligent service by members of the Regular and Reserve Forces. 

Distinguished Service Cross

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action.

Distinguished Service Medal

The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for distinguished leadership in action.

Emergency Services Medal

The Emergency Services Medal recognises distinguished service by members of emergency services across Australia, and people who are involved in emergency management, training or education.

Group Bravery Citation

The Group Bravery Citation is awarded for a collective act of bravery by a group of people in extraordinary circumstances that is considered worthy of recognition.

Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal

The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal honours members of recognised Australian organisations and members of Australian contingents to international organisations, who are exposed to considerable risk or danger in the course of providing significant emergency humanitarian service (aid) to civilians overseas in hazardous circumstances (such as in war zones, during peacekeeping operations or in times of natural disaster or civil strife).

International Force East Timor Medal

The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) Medal recognises members of the Australian Defence Force who served in East Timor during the INTERFET campaign (16 September 1999 - 10 April 2000).

Iraq Medal

The Iraq Medal recognises service with the Australian Defence Force in specified operations in the Iraq region from 18 March 2003 onwards. 

Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia

From 1976 to 1986 and 2014 to 2015 there was provision for the appointment of Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia.

Medal for Gallantry

The Medal for Gallantry is awarded to military personnel for acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances.

Medal of the Order of Australia

The Medal of the Order of Australia is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.

Member of the Order of Australia

The Member of the Order of Australia is awarded for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.

Meritorious Unit Citation

The Meritorious Unit Citation recognises sustained outstanding service in warlike operations.

National Emergency Medal

The National Emergency Medal is an operational service medal which recognises significant or sustained service to others in response to nationally-significant emergencies within Australia.

National Medal

The National Medal recognises long and diligent service, by members of recognised government and voluntary organisations, that risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law or in times of emergency or natural disaster.

National Police Service Medal

The National Police Service Medal recognises the special status that sworn police officers have because of their role protecting the community. It represents a police officer's past and future commitment to give ethical and diligent service.

Nursing Service Cross

The Nursing Service Cross recognises outstanding performance of nursing duties in both operational and non-operational situations.

Officer of the Order of Australia

The Officer of the Order of Australia is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large.

Police Overseas Service Medal

The Police Overseas Service Medal recognises service by officers of Australian police forces with international peace-keeping organisations.

Public Service Medal

The Public Service Medal recognises outstanding service by employees of the Australian Government and state, territory and local government employees.

Reserve Force Decoration

The Reserve Force Decoration was awarded to Reserve Force officers for 15 years efficient service by members of the Defence Force.

Reserve Force Medal

The Reserve Force Medal was awarded to Reserve Force other ranks for 15 years efficient service.

Rhodesia Medal

The Rhodesia Medal was awarded to members of the armed services, police personnel and civilians who served in the multi-national force on Operation Agila.

Star of Courage

The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.

Star of Gallantry

The Star of Gallantry recognises acts of outstanding heroism in action in circumstances of great peril.

Unit Citation for Gallantry

The Unit Citation for Gallantry recognises extraordinary gallantry in action.

Victoria Cross for Australia

The Victoria Cross for Australia is the pre-eminent award for acts of bravery in wartime and Australia's highest military honour.

Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal

The Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal recognises the service of Australian personnel in support roles during the Vietnam War. 

Vietnam Medal

The Vietnam Medal recognises members of the Australian Defence Forces and members of accredited philanthropic organisations serving in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.