History
The Australian Federal Police came into being on 19 October 1979, and its Service Medal counts from that first day: a cumulative total of ten years of qualifying service with the force earns the medal, with the service of those who came across from the Australian Protective Service also counting for employees serving at the amalgamation on 1 July 2004. It is the AFP's own long service recognition, sitting alongside the national awards its members may also earn.
The decades that follow are marked in metal: an antique bronze clasp is awarded at twenty years, with further clasps at twenty five, thirty, thirty five and forty. For current employees the medal is processed automatically once the criteria are met; former members apply through the AFP's honours and awards team.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal bears the AFP platypus symbol with 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 and dark blue: the AFP's colours.
The ribbon has stripes of blue, white and dark blue, the colours of the force.
Clasps
Continued service beyond the qualifying decade is recognised by clasps worn on the ribbon.
20 Years
Awarded on reaching twenty years of qualifying service with the Australian Federal Police. The clasp has an antique bronze finish.
25 Years
Awarded on reaching twenty-five years of qualifying service.
30 Years
Awarded on reaching thirty years of qualifying service.
35 Years
Awarded on reaching thirty-five years of qualifying service.
Eligibility
The medal recognises a cumulative total of ten years of qualifying service with the Australian Federal Police.
- Qualifying service is counted with the AFP from 19 October 1979, or with both the AFP and the Australian Protective Service for employees who were serving on 1 July 2004;
- An antique bronze clasp is awarded at twenty years, with further clasps at 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service;
- Current employees are recognised automatically once eligible; former employees apply to the AFP honours and awards team. The medal sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal.
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 Service Medal awarded for?
A cumulative total of ten years of qualifying service with the Australian Federal Police, counted from the force's formation on 19 October 1979.
Does Australian Protective Service time count?
Yes, for employees who were serving on 1 July 2004, when the APS amalgamated with the AFP. Earlier APS-only careers were recognised by the now retired Australian Protective Service Medal.
How are longer careers recognised?
By clasps at twenty years and every five years after, to forty years.
Do I need to apply?
Current AFP employees are recognised automatically once the criteria are met. Former members apply with the National and AFP Service Awards form through the honours and awards team.
How does it relate to the National Police Service Medal?
They mark the same career in different systems: the AFP Service Medal is the force's ten year award, while the National Police Service Medal is the national award for fifteen years of ethical and diligent service. Most long serving members wear both.
Where is it worn?
Among the AFP internal awards, after all the awards in the Australian Order of Wearing, in the sequence set by the force's wear guide.