History

The Australian Defence Medal was established on 20 March 2006 and it is conferred upon members of the Australian Defence Forces and Reserve Forces in recognition of the successful completion of an initial enlistment term or 4 years of service after 3 September 1945. The Medal is also awarded if an individual was medically discharged or died in service before the completion of the specified term of service. In addition, women who were forced to retire from the service after they married are also eligible to receive the Medal.

The obverse of the medal features the Commonwealth Coat of Arms surrounded by the inscription ‘THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL’. The reverse of the metal features the inscription ‘ FOR SERVICE’ surrounded by sprigs of golden wattle.