History
The Ambulance Service Medal was established on 7 July 1999 by Letters Patent, introduced into the honours system alongside the Emergency Services Medal to complete the family of distinguished service medals begun by the police and fire awards. It recognises distinguished service by the men and women of Australia's ambulance organisations: the paramedics, patient transport officers, volunteers, educators and leaders of the state and territory services.
Awards are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the responsible ministers within annual quotas, announced in the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours lists, and a person may receive the medal only once. On 23 December 2021 the regulations were amended to enable the recognition of COVID-19 related service above the annual quotas, an acknowledgement of what the pandemic asked of the ambulance services.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Ambulance Service Medal is circular, in silver and bronze tones. The obverse displays the Federation Star superimposed on a modified Maltese Cross, representative of the ambulance services, resting on a bed of Australian wattle. The Star is surrounded by twenty four balls, signifying the twenty four hours per day the ambulance service is available to the community. The reverse bears the inscription For Distinguished Service.
The ribbon
Chevrons of red, white and silver-grey, echoing the arms of the cross.
The 32 millimetre ribbon features a chevron pattern, its angles inspired by the open ends of the cross's arms, in alternating red, white and silver-grey.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the responsible Commonwealth, state and territory ministers, for distinguished service by members of Australia's ambulance organisations.
- Annual quotas apply, set against the paid and volunteer strengths of each service;
- Since December 2021, COVID-19 related service may be recognised above the annual quotas;
- Awards are announced each January and June, only one award may be made to an individual, and recipients are entitled to the post-nominal ASM.
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 Ambulance Service Medal awarded for?
Distinguished service by the men and women of Australia's ambulance organisations, from frontline paramedics to educators, volunteers and service leaders.
How are recipients chosen?
Each jurisdiction nominates through its responsible minister, and the Governor-General makes the awards within annual quotas, announced in the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours lists.
What changed in 2021?
Amendments approved on 23 December 2021 enabled the recognition of COVID-19 related service above the annual quotas.
What do the twenty four balls on the medal mean?
They signify the twenty four hours of every day that the ambulance service is available to the community.
Is this the same ASM as the Australian Service Medal?
No. The post-nominal is shared but the awards are unrelated: the Australian Service Medal recognises ADF peacekeeping service, while this medal recognises distinguished ambulance service.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes: ASM.