History

The Defence Long Service Medal replaced the Defence Force Service Medal in 1998.

The Defence Long Service Medal is conferred upon members of the Australian Defence Force who completed 15 years of loyal service on or after 14 February 1975. Service in the Permanent and Reserve Forces can qualify an individual for the award.

The obverse of the medal features the Australian Defence Force emblem. The reverse of the medal features the inscription ‘FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE PERMANENT FORCES’ around the circumference. The Crown of St. Edward surmounts the medal and attaches to a metal suspender. The ribbon is azure-blue, with four thin gold stripes in the center and two thicker stripes on the exterior edges.

Recipients of the Medal receive claps for every five years of additional service they render. Reserve service does not qualify an individual to receive clasps for the Medal. The clasp is a cupro-nickel bar that features the Royal Cypher in the center and sprigs of wattle on each side.

Recipients of the Medal receive claps for every five years of additional service they render. When the ribbon is worn without the medal, clasps are indicated by the addition of silver coloured rosettes. The first four clasps are rosettes, but the fifth clasp and beyond are silver-coloured Federation Star emblems.