Australian Defence Medal
The Australian Defence Medal recognises Australian Defence Force personnel who have efficiently completed either:
- an initial enlistment period, or
- four years service,
whichever is the lesser, and all of the relevant service was after 3 September 1945.
Included are former Defence Force members who did not complete the qualifying period because they:
- died in service,
- were medically discharged (based upon individual circumstances), or
- left the service due to a Defence workplace policy of the time. (For example, in the past a woman was required to resign on marriage.)
Design
The medal is cupro-nickel. The obverse has a stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms as used on the Australia Service Medal 1939-45. This is surrounded by the inscription ‘THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL’ above a sprig of wattle.
The reverse has the inscription ‘FOR SERVICE’ below the Crown of St Edward all surrounded by a wattle wreath. The use of the wreath acknowledges the sacrifice of those who have died in service or been discharged due to injury resulting from service, a secondary qualification for the medal.
Ribbon
The ribbon is red with black edges, the colours of the Flanders poppy that represent the Anzac spirit of the Australian armed forces. The white stripes divide the ribbon into three, to denote the three Services and also represent service contributing to the peace of Australia.
