Australian honours order of wearing

Positioning of Australian Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Governor-General of Australia publishes the order of wearing of Australian orders, decorations and medals in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards was last published in 2007.[1]

## Order of wearing

[edit]

The order of wearing decorations and awards within the Australian honours system is prescribed as follows.[2]

Honours and awards listed are:

* those within the Australian system of honours and awards;
* those conferred by the Sovereign in exercise of the royal prerogative;
* those within the Order of St John; and
* foreign awards the acceptance and wearing of which have been authorised by the Governor-General.

Awards of the United Kingdom issued since 5 October 1992 are classified as foreign and are worn accordingly.[3]

See also: Order of Wearing of honours awarded prior to 6 October 1992

1. Victoria Cross/Victoria Cross for Australia[4] VC
2. Cross of Valour CV
3. Knight/Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter[note 1] KG/LG
4. Knight/Lady of the Order of the Thistle[note 1] KT/LT
5. Member of the Order of Merit[note 1] OM (Civil Division and Military Division)
6. Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia[note 2] AK/AD
7. Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order[note 1] GCVO
8. Companion of the Order of Australia (General Division) AC  (Military Division)
9. Knight/Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order[note 1] KCVO/DCVO
10. Officer of the Order of Australia (General Division) AO  (Military Division)
11. Commander of the Royal Victorian Order[note 1] CVO
12. Star of Gallantry SG
13. Star of Courage SC
14. Distinguished Service Cross DSC
15. Member of the Order of Australia (General Division) AM  (Military Division)
16. Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order[note 1] LVO
17. Member of the Royal Victorian Order[note 1] MVO
18. Conspicuous Service Cross CSC
19. Nursing Service Cross NSC
20. Medal for Gallantry MG
21. Bravery Medal BM
22. Distinguished Service Medal DSM
23. Public Service Medal PSM
24. Australian Police Medal APM
25. Australian Fire Service Medal AFSM
26. Ambulance Service Medal ASM
27. Emergency Services Medal ESM
28. Australian Corrections Medal[note 3] ACM
29. Australian Intelligence Medal [note 4] AIM
30. Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division) OAM  (Military Division)
31. Order of St John[note 1][5]
32. Conspicuous Service Medal CSM
33. Australian Antarctic Medal AAM
34. Royal Victorian Medal RVM
35. Commendation for Gallantry
36. Commendation for Brave Conduct
37. Commendation for Distinguished Service
38. Australia Service Medal 1939-45
39. Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975[note 5]
40. Vietnam Medal
41. Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal[note 6]
42. Australian Active Service Medal[note 5]
43. International Force East Timor Medal (INTERFET)
44. Afghanistan Medal
45. Iraq Medal
46. Australian Service Medal 1945–1975[note 5]
47. Australian General Service Medal for Korea
48. Australian Service Medal[note 5]
49. Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection[6]
50. Australian Operational Service Medal – Greater Middle East Operation
51. Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations
52. Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery
53. Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa
54. Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific
55. Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian
56. Rhodesia Medal
57. Police Overseas Service Medal
58. Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal
59. National Emergency Medal[note 7]
60. Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945
61. National Police Service Medal[note 8]
62. King Edward VII Coronation Medal
63. King George V Coronation Medal
64. King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
65. King George VI Coronation Medal
66. Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
67. Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
68. Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal[note 1][note 9]
69. Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal[note 1][note 9]
70. Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal[note 1][note 9]
71. King Charles III Coronation Medal[note 1][note 9][9]
72. 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal
73. Australian Sports Medal
74. Centenary Medal
75. Defence Force Service Medal
76. Reserve Force Decoration RFD
77. Reserve Force Medal
78. Defence Long Service Medal
79. National Medal
80. Australian Defence Medal
81. Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
82. Champion Shots Medal
83. Long Service Medals[note 10] (see United Kingdom honours order of wearing)
84. Service Medal of the Order of St John[11]
85. Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal
86. Foreign Awards (in order of date of authorisation of their acceptance and wearing).

## Citations

[edit]

The following citations are not positioned according to the list above. For members of the uniformed services, they are worn according to respective Service dress rules. For civilians, they are worn centrally above any other honours or awards:

* Unit Citation for Gallantry
* Meritorious Unit Citation
* Group Bravery Citation

## Foreign awards

[edit]

Approved foreign awards are published by the Governor-General in the Schedule of Approved Countries and Awards.[12]

The following are the only foreign honours authorised to be accepted by Australians.

Authorised as of 8 May 2024  Country  | Award  | Ribbon

|
|

Afghanistan | Medal of Honour National Police of Afghanistan  |
Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Medal |
Argentina  | Order of May |
Order of the Liberator General San Martín |
Austria  | Austrian Decoration for Science and Art |
Austrian Olympic Medal 1976  |
Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria |
Decoration of Honour for Services to the State of Vienna  |
Decoration of Merit in Gold or Silver of the Republic of Austria |
Distinguished Service Order in Gold of the Republic of Austria |
Ehrenzeichen des Landes Kärnten  |
Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria |
Merit Badge of the Republic of Austria |
Bangladesh  | Gallantry medals ('Bir' awards) |
Belgium  | Civic Decoration |
Commemorative Medal of the 1940–1945 War |
Labour Decoration |
Military Decoration |
Order of Leopold |
Order of Leopold II |
Order of the Crown |
Queen Elisabeth Medal |
Medal of the Armed Resistance 1940–1945 |
Royal Order of the Lion |
War Cross
(First World War)  |
War Cross
(Second World War)  |
War Cross
(1954–present)  |
Brazil  | Order of the Southern Cross |
Order of Rio Branco |
Brunei  | Coronation Medal |
Campaign Medal |
The Most Blessed Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei |
The Most Distinguished Order of Merit of Brunei |
The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Brunei |
Excellent Service Medal |
Meritorious Service Medal |
Bulgaria  | Order of the Madara Konnik  |
Cambodia  | Medal of Labour |
National Construction Medal |
Royal Order of Cambodia |
Royal Order of Sahametrei |
Royal Order of Sowathara |
Canada  | General Campaign Star
(With ISAF clasp)  |
Meritorious Service Cross |
Meritorious Service Medal |
Star of Courage |
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal |
Chile  | Order of Bernardo O'Higgins |
Order of Merit |
Victory Cross  |
Republic of China | Order of Brilliant Star |

## See also

[edit]

* Australia portal

* Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia
* Post-nominal letters
* List of post-nominal letters (Australia)
* Australian Commendations and Citations
* United Kingdom Honours Order of Wearing

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Conferred by The Sovereign in exercise of the Royal Prerogative
2. ^ "Provision for further awards at this level within the Order of Australia was removed by Her Majesty The Queen on 3 March 1986 on the advice of the Prime Minister. The grade was reinstated on 25 March 2014 on the advice of the Prime Minister." Order of Wearing, Page 5, Note 2.
3. ^ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Notice C2017G00904 of 18 August 2017 specifies the medal is to be worn immediately after the Emergency Services Medal.
4. ^ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Notice C2020G00621 of 31 July 2020 specifies the medal is to be worn immediately after the Australian Corrections Medal.
5. ^ a b c d Clasps to these medals should be worn on the ribbon in order of date of receipt.
6. ^ A person who has been awarded the Vietnam Medal, or who is eligible for the award of the Vietnam Medal, is not eligible for the award of the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal. These medals are of equal status.
7. ^ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S169 of Friday, 28 October 2011 specifies the medal is to be worn immediately after the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal.
8. ^ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S31 of Thursday, 3 March 2011 specifies the medal is to be worn immediately after the Civilian Service Medal 1939–45.
9. ^ a b c d The Jubilee Medals have been awarded by The Sovereign in exercise of the Royal Prerogative to those awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia and Cross of Valour[7][8]
10. ^ Includes Imperial efficiency and long service awards[10]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette no. S192 of Friday, 28 September 2007.
2. ^ "Awards Order of Wearing" (PDF). www.pmc.gov.au.
3. ^ "- all Imperial awards made to Australian citizens after 5 October 1992 are foreign awards and should be worn accordingly." Order of Wearing Archived 11 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, updated 25 September 2007. page 1. (Generally, foreign awards are worn after Australian awards, and postnominals of foreign awards are not recognised.)
4. ^ "Refers to both the Victoria Cross and the Victoria Cross for Australia." Order of Wearing Archived 11 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Page 5, Note 1. (Generally, foreign awards are worn after Australian awards, and postnominals of foreign awards are not recognised.)
5. ^ a) Listed to indicate where any awards within the Order of St John should be worn; however, the Service Medal of the Order of St John should be worn as a Long Service Medal after all other Imperial Long Service awards.
b) "Post-nominals within the Order of St John are not recognised." (As notified in the Governor-General's media release of 14 August 1982.) Order of Wearing Archived 11 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Page 5, Note 3.
6. ^ "What is the order of wear for the OSM?". Australian Operational Service Medal. Royal Australian Navy.
7. ^ "Congratulations to Allan and Mark". Facebook.
8. ^ "Embattled Digger awarded Queen's Jubilee Medal".
9. ^ "7 November 2024 – Australia's Federation Guard welcomed Her Excellency Victoria Treadell". Facebook. Department of Defence. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
10. ^ "THE ORDER OF WEARING AUSTRALIAN HONOURS AND AWARDS" (PDF). It's An Honour – The Australian Honours System. 4 April 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2006.
11. ^ "Medals" (PDF). www.defence.gov.au.
12. ^ "Accepting and wearing of foreign awards by Australians". gg.gov.au. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* It's an Honour – Australian government website
* Wearing Awards – Australian government It's an Honour website
* Defence Honours & Awards– Australian Defence Force website
* The Defence Honours and Awards Manual (DHAM)
* Chapter 4 of the manual includes a link to the "current" (2007) Order of Wearing, but more usefully:
* Annex A contains: A modified order of wearing that is designed to make the order of wearing Defence awards more easily understood ... The modified version provides a complete list of all awards by incorporating those campaign and other medals that are included separately in annexes to the original schedule.

* v
* t
* e

Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia

(order of wearing)

National orders|

* / Order of Australia

Royal orders|

* Order of the Garter
* Order of the Thistle
* Order of Merit
* Royal Victorian Order
* Order of St John

Gallantry|

* Victoria Cross for Australia (VC)
* Star of Gallantry (SG)
* Medal for Gallantry (MG)
* Commendation for Gallantry

Bravery|

* Cross of Valour (CV)
* Star of Courage (SC)
* Bravery Medal (BM)
* Commendation for Brave Conduct
* Group Bravery Citation

Distinguished service|

* Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
* Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
* Commendation for Distinguished Service

Conspicuous service|

* Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
* Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

Nursing service|

* Nursing Service Cross (NSC)

Meritorious service|

* Public Service Medal (PSM)
* Australian Police Medal (APM)
* Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
* Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)
* Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
* Australian Corrections Medal (ACM)
* Australian Intelligence Medal (AIM)
* Australian Antarctic Medal (AAM)
* Royal Victorian Medal (RVM)

Campaign medals
(service periods)|

| 1939–1945|

* Australia Service Medal 1939–1945

|

1945–1975|

* Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
* Australian General Service Medal for Korea (1953–1956)
* Vietnam Medal (1964–1973)
* Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–1973)
* Australian Service Medal 1945–1975

1975–2012|

* Australian Active Service Medal (1975–2017)
* Rhodesia Medal (1979–1980)
* International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000)
* Afghanistan Medal (2001–2014)
* Iraq Medal (2003–2013)
* Australian Service Medal (1975–2014)

2012–present|

* Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (2012–present)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO (2014–present)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations (2019–present)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (2020–present)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa (2023–present)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific (2025–present)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian (2012–present)

Special service|

* Police Overseas Service Medal
* Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal
* National Emergency Medal
* Civilian Service Medal 1939–1945
* National Police Service Medal
* Australian Sports Medal (2000, 2021–present)

Commemorative

* King Edward VII Coronation Medal (1902)
* King George V Coronation Medal (1911)
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
* King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
* Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
* Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
* 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal (1999)
* Centenary Medal (2001)
* Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
* Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
* Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022)
* King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023)

Long service|

* Defence Force Service Medal (1982–1998)
* Reserve Force Decoration (1982–1998) (RFD)
* Reserve Force Medal (1982–1998)
* Defence Long Service Medal (1998–)
* National Medal
* Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
* Service Medal of the Order of St John

Other defence awards|

* Australian Defence Medal
* Champion Shots Medal
* Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal
* / Unit Citation for Gallantry
* / Meritorious Unit Citation

* v
* t
* e

Australian campaign medals

See also
Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia

Mahdist War|

* Egypt Medal (1882–89)

Second Boer War|

* Queen's South Africa Medal (1899–1902)
* King's South Africa Medal (1902)

Boxer Rebellion|

* China War Medal (1900)

World War I|

* 1914 Star
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* Victory Medal

General Service|

* Naval General Service Medal 1915–62
* General Service Medal 1918–62

World War II|

* 1939–45 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Arctic Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal, 1939–45
* Australia Service Medal 1939–45

1945–1975|

* Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975
* Korea Medal (1950–53)
* United Nations Service Medal for Korea (1950–53)
* Australian General Service Medal for Korea (1953–56)
* General Service Medal 1962 (1962–1975)
* Vietnam Medal (1964–73)
* Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–73)
* Australian Service Medal 1945–1975

1975–2012|

* Australian Active Service Medal (1975–2012)
* International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000)
* Afghanistan Medal (2001–14)
* Iraq Medal (2003–13)
* Australian Service Medal (1975–2012)
* Rhodesia Medal (1979–80)

2012–|

* Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (2012–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian (2012–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations (2019–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (2020–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa (2023–)
* Australian Operational Service Medal – Indo-Pacific (2025–)

* v
* t
* e

Commonwealth Coronation and Jubilee medals

George III|

| 1809|

* King George III Jubilee Medal
* King George III and Queen Charlotte Jubilee Medal

|

Victoria|

| 1877|

* Empress of India Medal

|

1887|

* Golden Jubilee Medal
* Police Golden Jubilee Medal

1897|

* Diamond Jubilee Medal
* Mayors and Provosts Medal
* Police Diamond Jubilee Medal

1900|

* Visit to Ireland Medal

Edward VII|

| 1902|

* Coronation Medal
* Mayors and Provosts Medal
* Police Coronation Medal

|

1903|

* Delhi Durbar Medal
* Police Medal for King's visit to Scotland
* Visit to Ireland Medal

George V|

| 1911|

* Coronation Medal
* Police Coronation Medal
* Visit to Ireland Medal
* Delhi Durbar Medal

|

1935|

* Silver Jubilee Medal

George VI|

| 1937|

* Coronation Medal

|

Elizabeth II|

| 1953|

* Coronation Medal

|

1977|

* Silver Jubilee Medal

2002|

* Golden Jubilee Medal

2012|

* Diamond Jubilee Medal

2022|

* Platinum Jubilee Medal

Charles III|

| 2023|

* Coronation Medal

|

* v
* t
* e

Australian honours lists

New Years Honours|

* 1902†
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940†
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
† Not issued because of Birthday Honours of new king (1902) and WWII (1940)

Australia Day Honours|

* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Birthday Honours|

* 1901†
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911†
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937†
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953†
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
† No Australians listed in this honours list (1901) and because of Coronation Honours (1911, 1937, 1953)

Bravery Honours|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 13
* 14
* 15
* 16
* 17
* 18
* 19
* 20
* 21
* 22
* 23
* 24
* 25
* 26
* 27
* 28
* 29
* 30
* 31
* 32
* 33
* 34
* 35
* 36
* 37
* 38
* 39
* 40
* 41
* 42
* 43
* 44
* 45
* 46
* 47
* 48
* 49
* 50
* 51
* 52
* 53
* 54
* 55
* 56
* 57
* 58
* 59
* 60
* 61
* 62
* 63
* 64
* 65
* 66
* 67
* 68
* 69
* 70
* 71
* 72
* 73
* 74
* 75
* 76
* 77
* 78
* 79
* 80
* 81
* 82
* 83
* 84
* 85
* 86
* 87
* 88
* 89
* 90

Special Honours lists|

* 1968
* 1972
* 2003
* 2007–2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Royal Visit Honours|

* 2000
* 2011
* 2024

Coronation Honours|

* 1902
* 1911
* 1937
* 1953
* 2023†
† Not issued

Related pages|

* Order of Australia
* List of Knights and Dames of the Order of Australia
* List of Companions of the Order of Australia
* Australian honours order of wearing

Governor General of Australia, Honours Lists
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