History
The Public Service Medal was introduced in 1989, taking up the role the Imperial Service Order had filled before the Australian honours system, and recognises outstanding service by employees of the Australian Government and of state, territory and local governments. Outstanding service can be shown through excellence in serving the public or clients, innovation in programme, project or policy development, and achievement across every kind of public work, at any level and in any role.
Nominations are considered twice a year by separate Public Service Medal committees for the Commonwealth and each state and territory, which recommend recipients to their minister or premier for recommendation to the Governor-General. Awards are announced in the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours lists, roughly one hundred each year across the jurisdictions, and a person may receive the medal only once.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Public Service Medal is a circular nickel-silver medal, 38 millimetres in diameter, ensigned with the Federation Star and designed by Stuart Devlin, the designer of the Order of Australia's insignia. The obverse shows an inner circle of four planetary gears spaced around a central sun gear within the words Public Service, and an outer circle of thirty six upright human figures representing the range of public occupations. The reverse carries a wreath of mimosa around the inscription For Outstanding Service.
The ribbon
Green and gold in twelve stripes of varying widths.
The 32 millimetre ribbon carries the national colours in twelve alternating vertical stripes of green and gold of varying widths, the widest green at the left and the widest gold at the right when viewed from the front.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded by the Governor-General for outstanding service by employees of the Australian Government and state, territory and local government employees.
- Outstanding service may be shown through service excellence to the public or to external or internal clients, innovation in programme, project or policy development, and comparable achievement at any level;
- Nominations are considered by the Commonwealth, state and territory Public Service Medal committees, which meet twice a year for the January and June honours lists;
- A person may receive the medal only once, and recipients are entitled to the post-nominal PSM.
Order of wear
The medal is worn among the Australian distinguished service medals for the police, fire, ambulance, emergency and correctional services, after the decorations and before the Imperial gallantry medals. The precise neighbours should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Public Service Medal awarded for?
Outstanding service by employees of the Australian Government and of state, territory and local governments, shown through service excellence, innovation in programmes, projects or policy, and comparable achievement in any role at any level.
How are recipients chosen?
Separate Public Service Medal committees for the Commonwealth and each state and territory meet twice a year, recommending recipients through their minister or premier to the Governor-General for the January and June honours lists.
Who can be nominated?
Any government employee, from the Australian Public Service to state agencies and local councils. Rank is no barrier: the criteria reward the quality of the service, not the seniority of the position.
How many are awarded?
Roughly one hundred each year across all jurisdictions, and a person may receive the medal only once.
Who designed it?
Stuart Devlin, designer of Australia's decimal coinage and the Order of Australia insignia. The obverse shows planetary gears ringed by thirty six human figures.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes: PSM.