History
The Order of Australia was instituted on 14 February 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II as an Australian society of honour for according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service, ending the nation's reliance on the Imperial honours. The King is Sovereign Head of the Order and the Governor-General its Chancellor. Changes of 24 May 1976 added the Medal of the Order below Member and a Knight and Dame level above Companion, and renamed the Civil Division the General Division; the knighthoods were abolished in 1986, briefly restored in 2014 and closed again in 2015.
In the Military Division the Medal of the Order, added in 1976, is awarded for meritorious service or performance of duty. It carries the Order into every rank and every corner of the Defence Force: the petty officers, sergeants, warrant officers and junior officers whose sustained excellence in instruction, maintenance, administration and leadership earns recognition at the national level. Awards are recommended by the Minister for Defence and announced in the Australia Day and King's Birthday lists, with no quota applying.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Medal of the Order is a badge carrying the gold plated silver insignia of the Order at its centre, the Stuart Devlin mimosa design inscribed AUSTRALIA in gold capital letters. It is worn on the ribbon at the chest by men and on a bow at the shoulder by women, with a plain gold lapel pin for daily wear. The insignia is identical in both divisions.
The ribbon
The Order's blue and gold mimosa, edged in gold for the Military Division.
The ribbon is royal blue with a central band of scattered gold mimosa blossoms, edged with gold bands 1.5 millimetres wide: the gold edges are the mark of the Military Division, the insignia itself being identical in both divisions.
Eligibility
Awards in the Military Division are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence, for meritorious service or performance of duty.
- The criteria require the same level of achievement as the General Division, designed to reflect military service, and all ranks are eligible;
- Awards are announced in the honours lists each January and June, and no quota applies to the Medal;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal OAM. A person may hold awards in both divisions and wear both, with the General Division award taking precedence.
Order of wear
The Order's grades are worn among the orders of chivalry and decorations, interleaved with the Imperial awards of equivalent standing. A General Division appointment takes precedence over the equivalent appointment in the Military Division. The precise neighbours should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the OAM in the Military Division awarded for?
Meritorious service or performance of duty: the Military Division counterpart of service worthy of particular recognition, open to every rank of the Defence Force.
Who recommends the award?
The Minister for Defence, with awards made by the Governor-General and announced in the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours lists.
How does it differ from the Conspicuous Service Medal?
The CSM recognises meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations as a Defence decoration; the OAM is an award of the Order of Australia, the national order, and sits at a different place in the order of wear.
How do I tell the divisions apart?
By the gold edges on the Military Division ribbon; the Medal itself is identical in both divisions.
Is there a quota?
No. The Medal is the only level of the Order without an annual quota in either division.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes: OAM.