Gallantry Decorations Determination

Administered by Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Legislation au C2010Q00027 In force Prerogative Instrument

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GALLANTRY DECORATIONS

DETERMINATIONS

 

 

I, PHILIP MICHAEL JEFFERY, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting under regulations 10 and 11 of the Gallantry Decorations Regulations, revoke the Gallantry Decorations Determination made on the sixteenth day of December 1993 and determine as follows:

THE STAR OF GALLANTRY

Design

1. The Star of Gallantry is a gold-plated silver Federation Star, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward in gold-plated silver. Each axis of the star measures 37 millimetres. The star is surmounted by a gold-plated suspender bar of fixed configuration, with the raised words ‘FOR GALLANTRY’ running the width of the bar on the obverse. The obverse of the star bears a superimposed central device of a smaller Federation Star with each axis measuring 22 millimetres. The reverse of the star bears a central horizontal panel 25 millimetres across and 9 millimetres high to allow for engraving of the recipient’s name. This central panel is superimposed on a stepped background.

Miniature

2. The miniature of the Star of Gallantry is a half size replica of the star suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.

Ribbon

3. The ribbon for the Star of Gallantry is 32 millimetres wide and has a design of chevrons of deep orange 3.25 millimetres wide alternating with chevrons of light orange 1.75 millimetres angled at 60 degrees. The ribbon should have the chevron pattern placed as a stylised ‘A’ with the points facing upwards when viewed with the obverse apparent. The apex of a deep orange chevron should coincide with the top of the ribbon when mounted for wearing.

Ribbon Bar

4. The ribbon bar of the Star of Gallantry 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 Star of Gallantry are recognised by the presentation of a gold-plated silver bar 35 millimetres wide and 6 millimetres high. The bar has a superimposed central replica of the Federation Star 6 millimetres in diameter on a horizontal row of flames 32 millimetres wide. The bar is worn attached to the ribbon of the original star. A half size replica of the bar is worn on the ribbon of the miniature star. A ribbon bar emblem in the form of a Federation Star of gold‑plated silver 9 millimetres in diameter is worn on the ribbon bar.

Lapel Badge

6. The lapel badge of the Star of Gallantry is a replica of the star 10 millimetres in diameter.

Wearing

7. The Star of Gallantry is worn on the left breast whenever full size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature star is worn whenever miniatures of orders, decoration and medals are worn. The ribbon bar may be worn at any time with service dress. The lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress.

THE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY

Design

8. The Medal for Gallantry is a circular medal 38 millimetres in diameter of gold‑plated silver ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward in gold-plated silver. The medal is surmounted by a gold-plated silver suspender bar of fixed configuration, with the raised words ‘FOR GALLANTRY’ running the width of the bar on the obverse. The obverse bears a central device of a Federation Star superimposed on a circle of flames representing action under fire. The reverse bears a horizontal panel 28 millimetres across and 8 millimetres high to allow for engraving of the recipients name. This panel is superimposed over a design of fluted rays of varying lengths.

Miniature

9. The miniature of the Medal for Gallantry is a half size replica of the medal suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.

Ribbon

10. The ribbon for the Medal for Gallantry has a design of chevrons of light orange 3.25 millimetres wide alternating with chevrons of deep orange 1.75 millimetres angled at 60 degrees. The ribbon should have the chevron pattern placed as a stylised ‘A’ with the points facing upwards when viewed with the obverse apparent. The apex of a light orange chevron should coincide with the top of the ribbon when mounted for wearing.

Ribbon Bar

11. The ribbon bar of the Medal for Gallantry consists of a strip of full size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep, with no emblem.

Lapel Badge

12. The lapel badge of the Medal for Gallantry is a replica of the medal 10 millimetres in diameter.

Further Awards

13. Second and subsequent awards are recognised by the presentation of a gold-plated silver bar 35 millimetres wide and 6 millimetres high. The bar has a central replica of the Federation Star 6 millimetres in diameter superimposed on a horizontal row of flames 24 millimetres wide. The bar is worn attached to a ribbon of the original medal. A half size replica of the bar is worn attached to the ribbon of the miniature medal. A ribbon bar emblem in the form of a Federation Star on a disc of gold-plated silver 9 millimetres in diameter is worn on the ribbon bar.

Wearing

14. The Medal for Gallantry 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 may be worn at any time with service dress. The lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress.

THE COMMENDATION FOR GALLANTRY

Design

15. The insignia of the Commendation for Gallantry is a Federation Star 7 millimetres at each axis superimposed centrally on a gold-plated silver row of flames 22 millimetres long tapering to a height of 3 millimetres at each end. The insignia is attached to a plain orange ribbon 32 millimetres wide and 90 millimetres long. The centre of the Federation Star is 19 millimetres from the bottom of the ribbon and 16 millimetres from either edge.

Miniature

16. The miniature of the Commendation for Gallantry is a half size replica of the Commendation for Gallantry attached to a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.

Ribbon

17. The insignia of the Commendation for Gallantry is attached to a plain orange ribbon 32 millimetres wide and 90 millimetres long.

Ribbon Bar

18. The ribbon bar of the Commendation for Gallantry consists of a strip of full size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep, with a miniature of the insignia of the Commendation for Gallantry attached to the ribbon, horizontally.

Lapel Badge

19. The lapel badge of the Commendation for Gallantry is a half size replica of the insignia of the Commendation for Gallantry.

Further Awards

20. Second and subsequent awards of the Commendation for Gallantry are made by Warrant describing the separate action being recognised. No additional insignia is received or worn.

Wearing

21. The insignia of the Commendation for Gallantry is worn on the left breast whenever full size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature insignia is worn whenever miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The ribbon bar may be worn at any time with service dress. The lapel badge may be worn at any time with civilian dress.

Order of Wear

22. The Star of Gallantry, the Medal for Gallantry and the Commendation for Gallantry 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 Gallantry Decorations Determination 2008 was enacted to update and redefine the criteria, design, and wearing of the Star of Gallantry, the Medal for Gallantry, and the Commendation for Gallantry. This determination was made by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting under the authority of the Gallantry Decorations Regulations. The primary objective of this determination is to ensure that the decorations for gallantry accurately reflect the high standards of bravery and service they are intended to honour. It aims to provide clear guidelines for the design, presentation, and wearing of these decorations, thereby maintaining the prestige and integrity of these awards within the Australian honours system. This legislative instrument serves to address the need for contemporary updates to the existing decorations for gallantry, ensuring that they remain relevant and reflective of the values they represent. By providing detailed specifications for each element of the decorations, including their design, dimensions, and method of wear, the determination ensures consistency and continuity in the recognition of acts of gallantry in Australia.

Scope and Application

The document C2010Q00027, which pertains to the Gallantry Decorations Determinations, establishes the design and wearing guidelines for the Star of Gallantry, the Medal for Gallantry, and the Commendation for Gallantry. The determination applies to individuals who are recipients of these decorations, as well as to entities involved in the manufacturing and distribution of these decorations. The scope of the Act is national, as it applies across the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds; however, it notes that further awards of these decorations are recognised by the presentation of specific insignia, which are detailed within the document. The application of the Act can be extended or restricted through the regulations mentioned, specifically under regulations 10 and 11 of the Gallantry Decorations Regulations.

Key Provisions

The document details the specifications and protocols for various gallantry decorations, including the Star of Gallantry, the Medal for Gallantry, and the Commendation for Gallantry. Section 1 outlines the design and specifications of the Star of Gallantry, including its dimensions, materials, and appearance, and specifies the miniature, ribbon, ribbon bar, and lapel badge details (sections 2–7). Section 8 does the same for the Medal for Gallantry (sections 8–14), and section 15 outlines the design and specifications for the Commendation for Gallantry (sections 15–22). The document specifies the manner in which these decorations should be worn and the order in which they should be worn in relation to other orders, decorations, and medals (section 22). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved in the awarding and wearing of these decorations. The Governor-General, acting under the regulations, is responsible for determining the design and specifications of the decorations, as well as the protocols for their wearing. Recipients of these decorations are required to wear them in accordance with the specified protocols, including wearing them on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, and wearing miniatures when miniatures of orders, decorations, and medals are worn (sections 7, 14, and 21). The Act also specifies the wearing of ribbon bars and lapel badges with service dress and civilian dress, respectively. There are no stated offences, penalties, or consequences for breach in this document. However, it is implied that failure to comply with the specified protocols for the wearing of these decorations could result in disciplinary action or other consequences as determined by the relevant authorities. The maximum penalties, if any, would be determined by the applicable law or regulations.

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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.