Conspicuous Service Decorations Determinations

Administered by Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Legislation au C2010Q00018 In force Prerogative Instrument

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CONSPICUOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS

 

DETERMINATIONS

I, PHILIP MICHAEL JEFFERY, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting under regulations 9 and 10 of the Australian Conspicuous Service Decorations Regulations, revoke the Australian Conspicuous Service Decorations Determination made on the twenty fifth day of October 1991 and determine as follows:

 

 

THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS

 

Design

 

1. The Conspicuous Service Cross is a modified Maltese Cross of nickel-silver ensigned with the Crown of Saint 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 across and 8 millimetres high to allow for engraving of the recipients name. The arms of the cross are interspersed with fluted rays.

 

Miniature

 

2. The miniature of the Conspicuous Service Cross is a half size replica of the cross suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.

 

Ribbon

 

3. The ribbon of the Conspicuous Service Cross is 32 millimetres wide and has alternating diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold 6 millimetres wide.

 

Ribbon Bar

 

4. The ribbon bar of The Conspicuous Service Cross consists of a strip of full size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep, with no emblem.

 

Further Awards

 

5. 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 cross. A half size replica of the bar is worn on the ribbon of the miniature cross. A ribbon bar emblem in the form of a further representation of the cross 5 millimetres in diameter is worn on the ribbon bar.

Lapel Badge

 

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

 

Wearing

 

7. The Conspicuous Service Cross is worn on the left breast whenever full-size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature cross 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 CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL

 

Design

 

8. The Conspicuous Service Medal is a circular nickel-silver medal 38 millimetres in diameter, ensigned with the Crown of Saint 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 across and 8 millimetres high to allow for engraving of the recipients name. This central panel is superimposed over a design of fluted rays.

 

Miniature

 

9. The miniature of the Conspicuous Service Medal is a half-size replica of the medal suspended from a miniature ribbon, 16 millimetres wide.

 

Ribbon

 

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

 

Ribbon Bar

 

11. The ribbon bar of the Conspicuous Service Medal is 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep. When the ribbon bar is worn, a representation of the medal, 5 millimetres in diameter, is attached at the centre of the ribbon.

 

Further Awards

 

12. 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 medal. A half size replica of the bar is worn on the ribbon of the miniature medal. A ribbon bar emblem in the form of a further representation of the medal 5 millimetres in diameter is worn on the ribbon bar.

 

Lapel Badge

 

13. The lapel badge of the Conspicuous Service Medal is a representation of the medal 10 millimetres in diameter.

 

Wearing

 

14. The Conspicuous Service Medal is worn on the left breast whenever full-size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature medal 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.

 

Order of Wear

 

15. The Conspicuous Service Cross and the Conspicuous Service Medal are worn in accordance with The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards as approved from time to time by The Sovereign.

Dated this First day of September 2008

Original Signed by General Jeffery

GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Overview

The Conspicuous Service Decorations Determination 2008 was enacted in 2008 by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting under the Australian Conspicuous Service Decorations Regulations, with the aim of replacing the 1991 determination with an updated design and specification for the Conspicuous Service Cross and the Conspicuous Service Medal, which are Australian military decorations awarded for meritorious service. The policy objective is to ensure that the decorations remain relevant and reflective of Australian values and identity. The new determination provides detailed specifications for the design, dimensions, materials, and wear of the decorations, including the design of the cross and medal, their miniatures, ribbons, ribbon bars, and lapel badges. Additionally, it outlines the rules for recognising multiple awards of the decorations. The new determination aims to provide clarity and consistency in the awarding and wearing of these prestigious decorations.

Scope and Application

The Australian Conspicuous Service Decorations Determinations apply to any individual or entity that is eligible for the award of the Conspicuous Service Cross or the Conspicuous Service Medal, which are honours granted for distinguished service within the Australian Defence Force. These awards recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Defence Force, and the Determinations outline the design, specifications, and rules for wearing the respective decorations and medals. The scope of the Determinations is national, as it applies across the Commonwealth of Australia. The Determinations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but eligibility for the awards is based on service criteria and is not universally applicable. The application of these Determinations may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as regulations or orders, which would provide further detail on the eligibility and award process.

Key Provisions

The Conspicuous Service Decorations Determinations, enacted by the Governor-General, outlines the specifications and wearing protocols for the Conspicuous Service Cross and the Conspicuous Service Medal. Specifically, section 1 of the Determination details the design of the Conspicuous Service Cross, which is a modified Maltese Cross of nickel-silver with certain dimensions and embellishments, including a central device of the Southern Cross and a laurel wreath. The design of the Conspicuous Service Medal is described in section 8, highlighting its circular shape, the same central device, and a design of fluted rays. Further sections delineate the miniature versions of these decorations, their ribbons, ribbon bars, and additional bars for multiple awards. The Determination imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Recipients of these awards are mandated to adhere to specific wearing protocols, which include the correct placement and occasions for wearing the full-size decorations, miniatures, ribbon bars, and lapel badges. These protocols ensure that the decorations are worn in a manner that reflects their significance and the respect they deserve. Additionally, the Determination stipulates that these awards are to be worn in accordance with the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards, as approved by the Sovereign. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Determination may result in various consequences. Although the Determination does not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the wearing protocols could lead to administrative actions or disciplinary measures, particularly for military personnel or public servants who are typically the recipients of these awards. It is important to note that while the Determination itself does not specify penalties, breaches of the prescribed wearing protocols may have broader implications under relevant service regulations or employment conditions.

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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.