History
The Queensland SES Meritorious Service Medal was the state's recognition of its State Emergency Service volunteers: awarded on nomination after ten years of regular and effective participation in the SES in Queensland, with service in other states and territories not counting. Its clasps followed Queensland's distinctive system, one clasp exchanged at each further five year milestone so the ribbon always read the total years served, a fifteen year clasp giving way to a twenty, and so on through the decades.
In 2025 the medal was replaced by the SES Medal for Service, on the same ten year standard with the same replaceable clasp, and a member is eligible for one of the pair, not both, so existing holders keep the Meritorious Service Medal they earned. The change came amid the largest reshaping of Queensland's emergency services in a generation, which moved the SES under the Queensland Police Service in June 2024.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The service does not publish a formal design description for the medal; the pattern supplied is the current issue, and the photographs above show its obverse and reverse.
The ribbon
The current Queensland SES issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Clasps
Service beyond the qualifying decade was shown by a clasp exchanged at each milestone to carry the current total.
Clasp (each further 5 years, replaced)
A clasp was issued at each further five year milestone and replaced the previous one, so a single clasp always showed the total years of service the medal represents. Only one clasp is worn at a time.
Eligibility
The medal recognised dedicated service by volunteer members of the State Emergency Service in Queensland.
- Volunteers were eligible for nomination after ten years of regular and effective participation in the SES in Queensland, with interstate SES service not counting toward the award;
- A clasp was issued for each additional five years and replaced at each milestone so the clasp always showed the total years of service;
- The medal was succeeded in 2025 by the SES Medal for Service; a member is eligible for one of the two, not both. It sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
Agency and state emergency service awards do not form part of the Australian honours system. They are worn separately from the national honours in accordance with the issuing agency's dress policy, and on civilian racks they are mounted as a distinct group apart from the official awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Queensland SES Meritorious Service Medal awarded for?
Ten years of regular and effective participation as a volunteer in the State Emergency Service in Queensland, awarded on nomination.
Does interstate SES service count?
No. Only service in the SES in Queensland counts toward this award.
How does the clasp system work?
A clasp arrived at each further five year milestone and replaced the previous one, so the ribbon always carried a single clasp showing the total years served.
What replaced it?
The SES Medal for Service, from 2025, on the same ten year standard with the same replaceable clasp. A member is eligible for one of the two medals, not both.
Who runs the Queensland SES now?
Since June 2024 the SES sits under the Queensland Police Service, following the dissolution of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.