History
The National Medal was introduced in 1975 as an original component of the new Australian honours system, established on 14 February of that year. It replaced a range of Imperial long service and good conduct medals that had been available to the uniformed services, bringing long service recognition under a single Australian award. It is Australia's most awarded civilian medal.
The medal recognises long and diligent service by members of organisations whose people serve or protect the community at the risk of death, injury or trauma. That common thread is what unites the eligible groups. They include the police, fire, ambulance and emergency services, the corrective services, and voluntary organisations such as lifesaving and search and rescue groups. Many, though not all, are uniformed.
In 1999 the regulations were completely revised and reissued. The revision modified many points of eligibility and, importantly, allowed the Governor-General to add further eligible organisations by written instrument, without needing to seek amendments from the monarch each time. From that point service no longer had to be continuous.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The National Medal is a circular bronze medal, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse features the Commonwealth Coat of Arms within a recessed circle, and the rim carries the inscription THE NATIONAL MEDAL. The reverse is plain. It was designed by the noted goldsmith Stuart Devlin AO CMG, whose work appears across Australian coinage and regalia.
The ribbon
Fifteen alternating gold and blue stripes, the livery colours of Australia.
The thirty-two millimetre ribbon features fifteen alternating gold and blue vertical stripes. Gold and blue are the livery colours of Australia, drawn from the wreath, or torse, of the national coat of arms. The same blue and gold family runs through Australia's long service ribbons, tying the National Medal to the awards worn beside it.
Clasps
A clasp is awarded for each further ten years of diligent service beyond the initial fifteen. The clasp is a bronze bar carrying ten raised hemispheres.
Ten Year Clasp
A clasp is awarded for each further ten years of diligent service beyond the initial fifteen. The clasp is a bronze bar carrying ten raised hemispheres. When the ribbon alone is worn, clasps are shown by a rosette and, at later stages, a Federation Star.
Eligibility
To qualify, a person must have given at least fifteen years of service in the primary function of an eligible organisation, and the chief officer of that organisation must assess the service as diligent. There is no application form. A person who qualifies is nominated by the chief officer of their organisation to the Governor-General, who awards the medal.
- From 1999, service need not be continuous, and eligible service across several organisations can be combined, although simultaneous service with more than one organisation is counted only once;
- Service must include at least one day on or after 14 February 1975;
- For the corrective services, eligibility is restricted to officers with custodial duties.
Order of wear
The National Medal sits within the long service group of the Australian order of wear, after the National Police Service Medal and before the Australian Defence Medal. On a full career rack the campaign and operational awards run first, then the long service awards including the National Medal, with rosettes and stars shown for any clasps.
Frequently asked questions
Who can receive the National Medal?
Members of eligible organisations whose people serve or protect the community at risk to themselves, including the police, fire, ambulance, emergency and corrective services, and voluntary groups such as lifesaving and search and rescue. For the corrective services, only officers with custodial duties are eligible.
How long do you have to serve?
At least fifteen years of diligent service in the primary function of an eligible organisation. A clasp is then awarded for each further ten years of service.
Does the fifteen years need to be continuous?
From 1999, no. Service need not be continuous, and eligible service across several organisations can be combined, although simultaneous service with more than one organisation is counted only once.
How is the National Medal different from the National Police Service Medal?
The National Medal is a long service award for fifteen years of diligent service across many eligible services. The National Police Service Medal is a separate award recognising the ethical and diligent service of sworn police officers specifically. A police officer can receive both.
Why is corrective services eligibility limited to custodial officers?
Eligibility for the medal rests on serving or protecting the community at risk of death, injury or trauma. For the corrective services that risk attaches to custodial duties, so eligibility is restricted to officers with those duties.
Who designed the National Medal?
It was designed by the goldsmith Stuart Devlin AO CMG, whose work also appears on Australian coinage and regalia.