The Governor-General awards the Emergency Services Medal on the recommendation of the responsible Commonwealth, state and territory ministers.

The medal may be awarded to a person who has given distinguished service as a member of an emergency service.

The medal may be awarded regardless of whether the person is eligible for any other award because of the service. However, a person who is already a holder of the medal is not eligible for another award of the medal.

Each Australian emergency service organisation may award:

• One medal for every 1000 full-time members, or part of 1000, full-time members in every calender year.
• One medal for every 5000, or part of 5000 part-time, volunteer or auxiliary members.

One medal may be awarded in a calender year for the Australian Capital Territory. One medal may be awarded in a calender year for the Northern Territory and one medal may be awarded in a calender year for all external Territories.

Awards are announced on Australia Day (January 26) and the Queen’s Birthday (June) each year.

Medal ribbon

The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon features a centre band of an orange and white checkerboard pattern, flanked on each outer edge by a royal blue band.