History

The Australian Service Medal was introduced on 13 September 1988 and it is conferred upon members of the Australian Defence Force in recognition of peacekeeping efforts in a non-warlike operation.

Recipients are issued an accompanying claps that denotes the location or name of the operation. The following clasps have been issued with the medal: Balkans (rare), Bougainville, Cambodia, CT/SR, East Timor, Ethiopia/Eritrea (rare), Guatemala (rare), Gulf (rare), Haiti, Irian Jaya (rare), Iran/Iraq, Iraq, Kashmir, Korea, Kuwait, Middle East, Mozambique (rare), Peshawar, SE Asia, Sinai, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands I, Solomon Islands II, Somalia, Special Ops, S. Pacific 2006, Sudan, Uganda (rare), West Sahara (rare). The value of the medal increases with certain clasps.

The obverse of the medal features a modified Australian Coat of Arms with the Defence Force Joint Service Emblem placed above it. Both emblems are superimposed over numerous lines of longitude. The reverse of the medal features the Federation Star with the inscription ‘FOR SERVICE’ surrounded by a cluster of mimosa flowers. The Crown of St. Edwards surmounts the medallion.