Conspicuous Service Decorations Determination - 17 November 2023

Legislation au C2023G01264 In force Gazette

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CONSPICUOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS
DETERMINATION

 

I, General the Honourable David Hurley, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting in pursuance of regulations 9 and 10 of the Conspicuous Service Decorations Regulations, revoke the Conspicuous Service Decorations Determination made on the first day of September 2008, and hereby determine as follows (see note):

 

THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS

Main Piece

 

1           The Conspicuous Service Cross is a modified Maltese Cross of nickel-silver ensigned with the Crown of St Edward in nickel-silver with the arms of the cross interspersed with fluted rays. Each axis of the cross measures 38 millimetres. The cross is surmounted by a plain nickel-silver suspender bar. The obverse of the cross bears a central device of the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath. This device is 18 millimetres in diameter. The reverse bears as the central device a horizontal panel 26 millimetres wide and 8 millimetres high to allow for engraving of the recipient's name. The arms of the cross are interspersed with fluted rays.

2          The Conspicuous Service Cross is suspended from a ribbon 32 millimetres wide and has alternating diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold 6 millimetres wide.

 

3          The medal thickness is 3 millimetres. The height from the top of the suspender bar to the bottom of the medal is 55 millimetres. The total height of the Main Piece is 96 millimetres.

 

Miniature Piece

 

4          The Miniature Piece of the Conspicuous Service Cross is a half-size replica of the Main Piece suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide. The medal thickness is 2 millimetres. The height from the top of the suspender bar to the bottom of the medal is 27.5 millimetres. The total height of the Miniature Piece is 48 millimetres.

 

Ribbon Bar

 

5          The Ribbon Bar of the Conspicuous Service Cross consists of a strip of full-size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres high, with no emblem.

 

 

 

 

 

Lapel Badge

 

6          The Lapel Badge of the Conspicuous Service Cross is a replica of the cross 10 millimetres in diameter.

 

Further Awards

 

7           Second and subsequent awards of the Conspicuous Service Cross are recognised by the presentation of a nickel-silver bar 35 millimetres wide and 6 millimetres high. The Bar has a central replica of the cross 6 millimetres in diameter flanked by laurel leaves. The Bar is worn attached to the ribbon of the original award. A half-size replica of the Bar is worn attached to the ribbon of the Miniature Piece. An Emblem of the cross, 5 millimetres in diameter, is attached to the Ribbon Bar.

 

Wearing

 

8           The Conspicuous Service Cross is worn on the left breast whenever full-size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The Miniature Piece is worn whenever miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The Ribbon Bar is to be worn at all times with service dress. The Lapel Badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress. The manner of wearing the Conspicuous Service Cross is in accordance with the Guide to the Wearing of Insignia.

 

THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL

 

Main Piece

 

9           The Conspicuous Service Medal is a circular nickel-silver medal 38 millimetres in diameter, ensigned with the Crown of St Edward in nickel-silver. The medal is surmounted by a plain nickel-silver suspender bar. The obverse of the medal bears a central device of the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse bears a horizontal panel 30 millimetres wide and 8 millimetres high to allow for engraving of the recipient's name. This central panel is superimposed over a design of fluted rays.

 

•       10 The Conspicuous Service Medal is suspended from a ribbon 32 millimetres wide and has alternating diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold 3 millimetres wide.

 

11      The medal thickness is 3 millimetres. The height from the top of the suspender bar to the bottom of the medal is 56 millimetres. The total height of the Main Piece is 94 millimetres.

 

Miniature Piece

 

12      The Miniature Piece of the Conspicuous Service Medal is a half-size replica of the Main Piece suspended from a miniature ribbon, 16 millimetres wide. The medal thickness is 2 millimetres. The height from the top of the suspender bar to the bottom of the medal is 28 millimetres. The total height of the Miniature Piece is 47 millimetres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ribbon Bar

 

13    The Ribbon Bar of the Conspicuous Service Medal consists of a strip of full-size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres high. An Emblem of the medal, 5 millimetres in diameter, is attached at the centre of the ribbon.

 

Lapel Badge

 

14     The Lapel Badge of the Conspicuous Service Medal is a representation of the medal 10 millimetres in diameter.

 

Further Awards

 

15     Second and subsequent awards of the Conspicuous Service Medal are recognised by the presentation of a nickel-silver bar 35 millimetres wide and 6 millimetres high. The Bar has a central replica of the medal 6 millimetres in diameter. The Bar is worn attached to the ribbon of the original award. A half­ size replica of the Bar is worn attached to the ribbon of the Miniature Piece. An additional Emblem of the medal, 5 millimetres in diameter, is attached to the Ribbon Bar.

 

Wearing

 

16   The Conspicuous Service Medal is worn on the left breast whenever full-size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The Miniature Piece is worn whenever miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The Ribbon Bar is to be worn at all times with service dress. The Lapel Badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress. The manner of wearing the Conspicuous Service Medal is in accordance with the Guide to the Wearing of Insignia.

 

ORDER OF WEAR

17   The Conspicuous Service Decorations are worn in accordance with The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards.

 

NOTE

 

18   The Letters Patent approved by The Sovereign institutes the Decorations and ordains that the Decorations are governed by the Conspicuous Service Decorations Regulations. These Regulations, approved by The Sovereign, set out the terms and conditions of the Decorations, and states that the design, and manner of wearing, of the Decorations are determined by the Governor-General.

 

19    This document is known as the Determination and it informs the design of the Conspicuous Service Decorations, its associated insignia, and that the order of wearing is in accordance with The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards and the manner of wearing is in accordance with the Guide to the Wearing of Insignia. The design of the Conspicuous Service Decorations and associated insignia must be in accordance with the relevant technical specifications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20       The placement of the Conspicuous Service Decorations are approved by The Sovereign, and The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards is the notification by the Governor-General of the positioning of all awards in the Australian honours system.

 

21      These instruments collectively inform the rules and conditions associated with the Conspicuous Service Decorations.

 

 

 

Overview

The Conspicuous Service Decorations Determination 2023, enacted under the authority of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, represents a revision to the previously established Conspicuous Service Decorations Determination of 2008. This legislative instrument aims to update the design specifications and wearing protocols for the Conspicuous Service Cross and the Conspicuous Service Medal, ensuring these honours reflect contemporary standards and practices. The determination is made pursuant to the Conspicuous Service Decorations Regulations and seeks to maintain the integrity and prestige of these awards within the Australian honours system. The policy objective behind this revision is to provide clear and updated guidelines for the design, insignia, and wearing of these prestigious decorations, thereby preserving their significance and relevance in recognising exemplary service.

Scope and Application

The Conspicuous Service Decorations Determination 2023 outlines the design and specifications for the Conspicuous Service Cross and Conspicuous Service Medal, including their respective insignia such as miniatures, ribbon bars, and lapel badges. These awards are designated for recognition of distinguished service by officers within the Australian Defence Force and other recognised services, including emergency services and law enforcement agencies. The determination applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, governing the design and wearing of these decorations in accordance with established protocols and technical specifications. The Governor-General, acting under the authority granted by the Conspicuous Service Decorations Regulations, determines the design and manner of wearing these decorations. This Determination revokes the previous determination made in 2008 and updates the specifications to reflect current standards.

Key Provisions

This legislation, C2023G01264, outlines the design specifications and wearing protocols for the Conspicuous Service Cross and Conspicuous Service Medal, which are honours awarded to recognise outstanding service in the Australian Defence Force. The determination provides detailed descriptions of the physical attributes of the decorations, including dimensions and materials (sections 1 to 16). The Conspicuous Service Cross is a modified Maltese Cross made of nickel-silver, featuring the Crown of St Edward, and has a ribbon with alternating diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold. The Conspicuous Service Medal is a circular medal with the same colours and design elements. Both decorations have miniature versions for specific occasions and ribbon bars for everyday wear. Under the Act, the parties involved, which primarily include recipients of these decorations and the Australian Defence Force, have specific obligations regarding the design and wearing of these insignia. Recipients must adhere to the prescribed specifications for the physical attributes of the decorations, including the materials, dimensions, and inscriptions. Additionally, the wearing of the decorations is strictly regulated to ensure consistency and respect for the honours system. For example, the Conspicuous Service Cross and Medal must be worn on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and the miniatures should be worn with miniatures of other orders, decorations, and medals (sections 8 and 16). The Ribbon Bars must be worn at all times with service dress, and the Lapel Badges may be worn at any time with civilian dress. The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches of the design or wearing protocols. However, non-compliance with the established rules and conditions for the Conspicuous Service Decorations could lead to informal sanctions or loss of respect for the honours system. The overarching regulations and Letters Patent, which govern the Conspicuous Service Decorations, may provide additional guidance or consequences for serious breaches, although these are not detailed in the provided text. The determination ensures that the design and wearing of these decorations maintain the integrity and prestige of the Australian honours system.

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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.