History
From 1984 the guarding of the Commonwealth's people and places belonged to the Australian Protective Service: the officers at Parliament House, the diplomatic posts, the airports and the critical infrastructure. On 1 July 2004 the APS amalgamated with the AFP, its long service medal was retired, and the AFP Protection Medal took up the recognition for the era that followed.
The medal recognises ten years of diligent service in a protection capability since the amalgamation, by protective service officers, police officers and unsworn AFP employees alike, with service counted cumulatively and across more than one protection function. A clasp is awarded at twenty years and every five years after, and for current employees the medal is processed automatically once earned.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal bears the AFP platypus, the Crown of Saint Edward, the Roman numeral X for the ten qualifying years, and the Federation Star. The reverse carries a wreath of wattle.
The ribbon
Blue, white, blue-grey, dark blue and gold.
The ribbon has stripes of blue, white, blue-grey, dark blue and gold.
Clasps
Continued protection service beyond the qualifying decade is recognised by clasps worn on the ribbon.
Clasp (20 years and every 5 after)
A clasp is awarded on reaching twenty years of qualifying protection service, with further clasps at each five year milestone, worn on the ribbon of the medal.
Eligibility
The medal recognises ten years of diligent service in a protection capability since the amalgamation of the Australian Protective Service into the AFP in 2004.
- Protective service officers, police officers and unsworn AFP employees working in a protection capability are all eligible, with service counted cumulatively and across more than one protection function;
- A clasp is awarded at twenty years of service and every five years after;
- Current employees are recognised automatically once eligible; former employees apply through the AFP honours and awards team. Earlier APS careers, from 1984 to 2004, were recognised by the now retired Australian Protective Service Medal.
Order of wear
AFP internal and jurisdiction awards sit outside the national honours system. On AFP uniform they are worn after all the awards in the Australian Order of Wearing, in the sequence set by the AFP's own wear guide, with jurisdiction and foreign force awards following the internal awards. The force's dress instructions govern the details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AFP Protection Medal awarded for?
Ten years of diligent service in a protection capability with the AFP since the Australian Protective Service amalgamated with the force on 1 July 2004.
Who is eligible?
Protective service officers, police officers and unsworn AFP employees working in a protection capability. Service may be cumulative and across more than one protection function.
What covers service before 2004?
The Australian Protective Service Medal, awarded for ten years of qualifying APS service between 20 October 1984 and 30 June 2004, now retired.
How are longer careers recognised?
By a clasp at twenty years of service and every five years after.
Do I need to apply?
Current AFP employees are recognised automatically once the criteria are met. Former employees apply through the honours and awards team.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.