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Australian Defence Medal
Australian Defence Medal
	; ; Medal and ribbon
Type	Service
Awarded for	4 years' service, completion of initial minimum period of service, death during service, or discharge as a result of injury
Presented by	Australia
Eligibility	Members of the Australian Defence Force
Clasps	None
Status	Currently issued
Established	20 March 2006
Total	340,867
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	National Medal
Next (lower)	Australian Cadet Forces Service 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.^[1] 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.^[2] It is estimated that up to one million current and ex-serving personnel are eligible for the award.^[5] At 30 June 2010, a total of 242,576 had been awarded.^[6]

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.^[1]

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.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Australian Defence Medal". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Australian Defence Medal". Defence Honours & Awards. Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
^ 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 (PDF). Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal. 2021. p. 159.
^ ^a ^b "The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). It's an Honour. Australian Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
^ "Australian Defence Medal: Questions and Answers". Defence Honours & Awards. Department of Defence. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
^ "Award statistics". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.