History
The Conspicuous Service Medal was instituted on 18 October 1989 by Letters Patent as the second level of the Conspicuous Service Decorations, created to recognise service in non-warlike situations that previously had no dedicated award below the Order of Australia. It is awarded for meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations.
Eligibility extends to all ranks of the Australian Defence Force and to officers and instructors of the Australian Defence Force Cadets. More than a thousand awards have been made since 1989, recognising the instructors, maintainers, planners and specialists whose sustained work rarely makes an operation's story but always makes it possible. Awards are announced in the honours lists each January and June.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Conspicuous Service Medal is a circular nickel-silver medal, 38 millimetres in diameter, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward in nickel-silver. The obverse bears the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath; the reverse has a horizontal panel for the recipient's details superimposed on a design of fluted rays. The medal hangs from a nickel-silver suspension bar.
The ribbon
Narrow diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold.
The 32 millimetre ribbon has alternating narrow diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold, a finer pattern than the Cross's, in the colours of the Australian landscape.
Clasps
A further award of the medal is denoted by a bar worn on the ribbon.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence, for meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations.
- All ranks of the Australian Defence Force are eligible, together with officers and instructors of the Australian Defence Force Cadets, and awards may be made posthumously;
- Awards are announced in the honours lists each January and June, with provision for immediate awards announced separately;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal CSM, with and Bar for a further award.
Order of wear
The decoration is worn among the Australian decorations for service, interleaved with the Imperial awards of equivalent standing. The precise neighbours in the order of wear should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Conspicuous Service Medal awarded for?
Meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations. It is the second level of the Conspicuous Service Decorations, below the Conspicuous Service Cross.
Who is eligible?
All ranks of the Australian Defence Force, and officers and instructors of the Australian Defence Force Cadets. Awards may be made posthumously.
How does it differ from the Conspicuous Service Cross?
The Cross recognises outstanding devotion or achievement; the Medal recognises meritorious achievement or devotion. The Cross sets the higher threshold, the Medal the broader reach.
Is this the CSM on the medal racks of Vietnam veterans?
Usually not. Older groups may include the Imperial naval Conspicuous Gallantry Medal or campaign medals with similar abbreviations, but this CSM dates from 1989 and recognises peacetime service.
When are awards announced?
In the Australia Day and King's Birthday honours lists each January and June, with immediate awards announced separately when recommended.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes: CSM, with and Bar for a further award.