Australian Bravery Decorations Regulations (Amendment)

Administered by Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Legislation au C2010Q00057 In force Prerogative Instrument

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ELIZABETH R

 

 

 

 ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth:

TO ALL to whom these Presents shall come,

GREETING:

 WHEREAS by Letters Patent dated 14 February 1975 We instituted certain Australian decorations for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons who perform acts of bravery:

 AND WHEREAS, by those Letters Patent, We ordained that the award of the decorations so instituted be governed by the Regulations set out in the Schedule to those Letters Patent:

 AND WHEREAS it is desirable that those Regulations be amended:

 KNOW YOU that We do, by these Presents, declare Our pleasure that the above-mentioned Letters Patent dated 14 February 1975 be amended, but without prejudice to anything lawfully done thereunder, as set out in the Schedule:

 AND WE DO further declare that, notwithstanding the amendments to be made to the above-mentioned Regulations, a person, who, immediately before the issue of these Our Letters Patent, was a member of the Australian Decorations Advisory Committee by virtue of an appointment made under paragraph 7 (1) (c) of the Regulations shall continue to hold office until the expiration of 31 December 1987,

 IN WITNESS whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.

GIVEN under the Great Seal of Australia at Our Court at St James’s on 17 November 1987

 

 

 

 

 

By Her Majesty’s Command,

BOB HAWKE

Prime Minister

Schedule

Amendment of the Regulations Governing the Award of Australian Bravery Decorations

1. Regulation 2 is amended by omitting paragraph (e) and substituting the following paragraph:

 “(e) except in sub-regulation 12 (4), a bar to an award referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).”.

2. Regulations 6 and 7 are revoked and the following regulations substituted:

 “6. A decoration may only be awarded to a person who is not an Australian citizen —

 (a) for an act done in Australia; or

 (b) for an act which, though done outside Australia, merits recognition as an act in the interest of Australia.

 “7. (1) There shall be an Australian Decorations Advisory Committee, hereinafter called ‘the Committee’, which shall consist of —

 (a) the person for the time being occupying the office of Secretary to the Department of Defence or, if another office is prescribed for the purpose of this paragraph, the person occupying the office so prescribed;

 (b) the person for the time being occupying the office of Secretary to the Department of Administrative Services or, if another office is prescribed for the purpose of this paragraph, the person occupying the office so prescribed; and

 (c) not more than 10 persons appointed by the Governor-General, of whom not more than 6 shall be persons nominated by the States of the Commonwealth of Australia.

 “(2) A member of the Committee referred to in paragraph (1) (c) shall hold office for a period of 2 years from the date of appointment and is eligible for re-appointment.

 “(3) The Governor-General shall appoint one of the members of the Committee to be Chairman of the Committee and another member of the Committee to act as Chairman in the event of the Chairman being unavailable to act in the office.

 “(4) A member of the Committee referred to in paragraph (1) (a) or (b) or who is one of the members nominated by the States of the Commonwealth of Australia may, in the event that the member is absent or unable to act in that capacity, be represented on the Committee by a person chosen, in accordance with arrangements made by the Governor-General, to act in the member’s place as a member of the Committee.”.

3. Regulation 12 is revoked and the following regulation substituted:

 “12. (1) A person awarded the Cross of Valour is entitled to use the post- nominal letters “C.V.” on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary.

 “(2) A person awarded the Star of Courage is entitled to use the post- nominal letters “S.C.” on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary.

 “(3) A person awarded the Bravery Medal is entitled to use the post- nominal letters “B.M.” on all occasions when the use of such letters is customary.

 “(4) A person awarded a bar to a decoration is entitled to use, after the letters prescribed by this regulation, the words “and Bar” or the words “and Bars”, as the case may be.”.

 

Overview

The Letters Patent, dated 17 November 1987, amend the Regulations Governing the Award of Australian Bravery Decorations instituted by Letters Patent on 14 February 1975. The primary objective of these amendments is to refine the criteria and governance structure surrounding the awarding of Australian bravery decorations, ensuring that the process remains both relevant and effective in recognising acts of bravery. The enacting body for these Letters Patent is the Queen of Australia, represented by the Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, at the Court of St James's. The amendments seek to update the regulatory framework without invalidating any actions taken under the previous regulations, while also ensuring continuity by allowing certain committee members to retain their positions until the end of 1987.

Scope and Application

This legislation amends the regulations governing the award of Australian bravery decorations, which were originally established by Letters Patent dated 14 February 1975. The act applies to individuals eligible for Australian bravery decorations, including Australian citizens and other persons who perform acts of bravery. The regulations cover acts performed both within Australia and outside Australia, provided they merit recognition as being in the interest of Australia. The Australian Decorations Advisory Committee, which consists of members including the Secretary to the Department of Defence, the Secretary to the Department of Administrative Services, and up to 10 appointed members, oversees the awarding of decorations. This committee plays a crucial role in assessing and recommending individuals for these awards. The regulations also detail the post-nominal letters that recipients of various bravery decorations are entitled to use. The act is a prerogative instrument issued by the Commonwealth of Australia and applies nationally. The amendments do not prejudice any actions lawfully taken under the original regulations, and certain members of the Australian Decorations Advisory Committee retain their positions until 31 December 1987.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation (Schedule) amend the Regulations Governing the Award of Australian Bravery Decorations. Regulation 2 introduces a bar to an award in specific circumstances, while Regulation 6 stipulates that decorations may only be awarded to non-Australian citizens for acts done in Australia or for acts done outside Australia that merit recognition as being in Australia’s interest. Regulation 7 establishes the Australian Decorations Advisory Committee, specifying its composition and the appointment and terms of its members. Regulation 12 outlines the entitlement of recipients of certain bravery decorations to use specific post-nominal letters. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. The Australian Decorations Advisory Committee must consist of the Secretary to the Department of Defence, the Secretary to the Department of Administrative Services, and up to 10 members appointed by the Governor-General, including up to 6 nominees from the states. The Governor-General must appoint a Chairman and an acting Chairman from the members of the Committee. Members of the Committee, including those nominated by the states, may be represented by another person if they are unable to act in their capacity. The Regulations also establish the conditions under which bravery decorations can be awarded, including geographical and merit-based criteria. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned in the text for breach of these regulations. However, any failure to comply with the regulations governing the award of Australian bravery decorations may lead to administrative actions, such as the review or revocation of an award, in accordance with other relevant legislation and policies. The precise consequences of such non-compliance would depend on the specific circumstances and any applicable laws.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.