The Australian Service Medal was approved in 1988, and may be awarded for service in, or in connection with a prescribed non-warlike operation.
Design
The medal is nickel-silver with a modified shield of the Australian Coat of Arms surmounted by the Defence Force Joint Service Emblem super-imposed on a background of the meridians of longitude on the obverse.
The reverse has clusters of mimosa blossoms surrounding a Federation Star bearing the inscription for Service.
The ribbon colours are primarily variations of the Australian colours of green and gold in tones of the Australian bush. The central brown stripe symbolises the earth of Australia.
A nickel-silver clasp with the name of the theatre or action for which the award is made is presented with the medal.
Further awards of the Australian Service Medal in other areas are recognised by the presentation of additional clasps. These are worn above previously awarded clasps, in order of date of receipt.
The following clasps have been issued for the medal.
| Operation | Dates | Allotted/assigned | Visitor/Temporary duty |
|---|---|---|---|
BalkansDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S408) of 18 Aug 1998 (PDF, 93.62 KB) |
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| Operation Osier NATO Stabilisation Force - Former Republic of Yugoslavia |
25 Jan 1997 - 16 Apr 2012 | 30 days | 30 days |
BougainvilleDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S21) of 29 Jan 2004 (PDF, 75.79 KB) |
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| Service during the Malayan emergency | 16 Jun 1948 - 31 Jul 1960 | 1 day | N/A |
CambodiaDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S111) of 17 March 1999 (PDF, 200.8 KB) |
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| United Nations Military Liaison Team / Cambodian Mine Action Centre (1) | 8 Oct 1993 - 4 Oct 1999 | 30 days | 30 days |
Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (CT/SR)Declaration and Determinations (Gazette S50) of 30 Mar 2011 (PDF, 318.81 KB) |
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| Service in a Tactical Assault Group or Recovery Force (2) | 31 Aug 1979 - 31 Oct 2020 | 60 days continuous | 60 days continuous |
East TimorDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S181) of 29 Sep 2006 (PDF, 166.1 KB) |
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| Operation Faber Humanitarian work (3) |
30 Aug 1975 - 30 Oct 1975 | 30 days | 30 days |
| United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) (3) | 19 Jun 1999 - 15 Sep 1999 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Defence Cooperation Program activities | 1 Jan 2001 - 11 May 2006 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Operation Citadel United Nations Mission in Support of Timor (UNMISET/UNOTIL) |
18 Aug 2003 - 11 May 2006 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Operation Spire United Nations Mission in Support of Timor (UNMISET/UNOTIL) |
20 May 2004 - 11 May 2006 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Operation Chiron ADF contribution to the UN Special Political Mission to Timor-Leste (UNOTIL/UNMIT) |
20 May 2005 - 11 May 2006 | 30 days | 30 days |
Ethiopia/EritreaDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S230) of 29 Jun 2001 (PDF, 142.28 KB) |
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| Operation Pomelo United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) |
15 Jan 2001 - 31 May 2005 | 30 days | 30 days |
Guatamala |
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| United Nations Observers in Guatemala | 15 Feb 1997 - 14 May 1997 | 30 days | 30 days |
Gulf |
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| RAN activity in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman |
17 Nov 1986 - 31 Oct 1988 1 Nov 1988 - 28 Feb 1989 |
30 days | N/A |
Iran/IraqDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette GN26) of 12 Jul 1989 (PDF, 200 KB) |
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| Service with UN mission on Iran/Iraq border (UNIIMOG) | 12 Aug 1988 - 1 Jan 1991 | 90 days | N/A |
IraqDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S137) of 12 Aug 2009 (PDF, 347.98 KB) |
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| Operation Habitat International Kurdish Relief OP on South Turkey and North Iraq |
15 Feb 1997 - 14 May 1997 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Operation Blazer UN Special Commission |
1 May 1991 - 30 Jun 1998 | 7 days | N/A |
| Operation Pollard Multinational military deployment in Middle East |
15 Feb 1998 - 30 Jun 1998 1 Jul 1998 - 1 Oct 2001 |
7 days 30 days |
N/A |
| Authorised 3rd country deployments with UK and US Iran/Persian Gulf Ops imposing sanctions on Iraq | 16 Jul 1991 - 10 Oct 2001 | 30 days | N/A |
| Operation Bolton Service as a member of the ADF assigned for service with the United Kingdom elements of the coalition force operation to patrol the Iraq No-Fly-Zones (for warlike component please see AASM IRAQ) |
13 May 1991 - 12 Jan 2003 | 30 days | N/A |
| Operation Southern Watch Service as a member of the ADF assigned for service with the United Kingdom elements of the coalition force operation to patrol the Iraq No-Fly-Zones (for warlike component please see AASM IRAQ) |
23 Sep 1999 - 12 Jan 2003 | 30 days | N/A |
Irian JayaDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S64) of 28 Feb 2002 (PDF, 162.1 KB) |
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| Operation Cenderawasih 1976 - 1981 series of Surveys Ops |
12 Jul 1976 - 21 Nov 1976 9 May 1977 - 10 Oct 1977 4 Apr 1978 - 20 Sep 1978 19 Oct 1980 - 22 Dec 1980 6 Jan 1981 - 6 Mar 1981 31 Aug 1981 - 15 Nov 1981 |
30 days | 30 days |
KashmirDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette GN323) of 21 May 1990 (PDF, 101.27 KB) |
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| Service with UN military observer group in India/Pakistan | 14 Feb 1975 - 31 Dec 1985 | 90 days | N/A |
KoreaDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S27) of 3 Mar 2011 (PDF, 285.21 KB) |
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| Service while assigned for duty to UN Command (MAC) activities in the specified are of the Korean Peninsula | 14 Feb 1975 - present | 30 days | N/A |
KuwaitDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S189) of 13 Nov 2009 (PDF, 312.92 KB) |
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| Multinational military deployment in Persian Gulf | 2 Aug 1990 - 16 Jan 1991 | 7 days | 30 days |
| Operation Damask Multinational military deployment in Persian Gulf |
1 Mar 1991 - 15 Jul 2003 | 30 days | N/A |
LebanonDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S28) of 3 Mar 2011 (PDF, 278.38 KB) |
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| Operation Ramp Defence Supplementation Staff - Beirut |
20 Jul 2006 - 25 Aug 2006 | 14 Days | N/A |
| Operation Ramp II Defence Supplementation Staff - Beirut |
13 Nov 2007 - 5 Dec 2008 | 30 days | N/A |
Middle EastDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S80) of 19 May 2011 (PDF, 418.17 KB) |
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Transition to Australian Operational Service Medal - Greater Middle East Operation (AOSM - GMEO) Members who performed a period of 30 days of eligible service on Operation Paladin prior to 31 October 2023 are eligible for the Australian Service Medal (ASM) with Clasp Middle East. Members who performed a period of eligible service from 1 November 2023 are eligible for the AOSM – GMEO. There are transitional provisions in place where a member’s service on Operation Paladin covers both periods as eligible service cannot be used towards the award of both an ASM with Clasp Middle East and an AOSM – GMEO. |
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| UN Truce Supervision organisation (5) | 14 Feb 1975 - 31 Oct 2023 | 30 days/30 sorties | 30 days |
| UN Disengagement observer force | 14 Feb 1975 - 31 Oct 2023 | 30 days/30 sorties | 30 days |
| Second UN emergency force | 14 Feb 1975 - 31 Jul 1979 | 30 days/30 sorties | 30 days |
| UN Interim Force in Lebanon | 1 Mar 1978 - 15 Sep 2020 | 30 days/30 sorties | 30 days |
| RAN ships in North West Indian Ocean deployments | 1 Sep 1980 - 31 Jul 1986 | 30 days | 30 days |
MozambiqueDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S48) of 10 Feb 1995 (PDF, 219.05 KB) |
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| Operation Coracle United Nations Demining operations in Mozambique |
12 Jul 1994 - 31 Mar 2002 | 30 days | 30 days |
PeshawarDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette GN16) of 26 Apr 1990 (PDF, 93.89 KB) |
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| Service with UN Mine clearance training team in Pakistan | 16 Jul 1989 - 31 Dec 1993 | 90 days | N/A |
South East AsiaDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S64) of 28 Feb 2002 (PDF, 144.66 KB) |
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| Service on land in Malaysia | 14 Feb 1975 - 31 Dec 1989 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Service on land in Singapore | 14 Feb 1975 - 31 Dec 1989 | 30 days | 30 days |
| Service on RAN ships with ANZUK force | 14 Feb 1975 - 30 Apr 1975 | 30 days | 30 days |
| ADF activities with Operation Gading 5 on Sumatra | 6 May 1975 - 22 Aug 1975 | 30 days | 30 days |
SinaiDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S27) of 23 Jan 1997 (PDF, 140.07 KB) |
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Transition to Australian Operational Service Medal - Greater Middle East Operation (AOSM - GMEO)Members who performed a period of 30 days of eligible service on Operation Mazurka prior to 31 October 2023 are eligible for the Australian Service Medal (ASM) with Clasp Sinai. Members who performed a period of eligible service from 1 November 2023 are eligible for the AOSM – GMEO. There are transitional provisions in place when a member’s service on Operation Mazurka covers both periods, as eligible service cannot be used towards the award of both an ASM with Clasp Sinai and an AOSM – GMEO. |
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| Multinational Force and Observers Activity (MFO) | 9 Feb 1982 - 28 Apr 1986 | 30 days | N/A |
| Operation Mazurka Multinational Force and Observers Activity |
6 Jan 1993 - 31 Oct 2023 | 30 days | N/A |
Solomon IslandsDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S21) of 29 Jan 2004 (DOC, 32.5 KB) |
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| Operation Trek International Peace Monitoring Team in the Solomon Islands |
4 Nov 2000 - 15 Mar 2002 | 30 days | 30 days |
Solomon Islands IIDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S421) of 20 Nov 2003 (PDF, 113.07 KB) |
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Operation Anode The Defence Force contribution in support of the Australian Government's Strengthened Assistance Framework Program to assist the Solomon Islands Government |
24 Jul 2003 - 30 Sep 2013 | 30 days | 30 days |
SomaliaDeclaration and Determination 2023 Clasp 'Somalia' (PDF, 906.77 KB) |
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The Declaration and Determination under the Australian Service Medal Regulations, as published in Special Gazette No S85 on 20 May 2011, is revoked. Eligibility for the Australian Service Medal Clasp Somalia is cancelled. The Clasp Somalia to the Australian Service Medal is not to be worn but kept as a memento. Service in Somalia from 17 Oct 1992 to 30 Apr 1993 is now recognised by the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp ‘Somalia’ |
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South Pacific 2006Declaration and Determinations (Gazette S21) of 3 Mar 2010 (PDF, 301.2 KB) |
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Operation Quickstep Service with ADF contribution to ensure safety of Australians and approved foreign nationals in Fiji |
31 Oct 2006 - 22 Dec 2006 | 30 days/30 sorties | N/A |
South Sudan |
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Transition to Australian Operational Service Medal - Africa (AOSM - Africa)Members who performed a period of 30 days of eligible service on Operation Aslan prior to 31 October 2023 are eligible for the Australian Service Medal (ASM) with Clasp South Sudan. Members who performed a period of eligible service from 1 November 2023 are eligible for the AOSM – Africa. There are transitional provisions in place when a member’s service on OP Aslan covers both periods, as eligible service cannot be used towards the award of both an ASM with Clasp South Sudan and an AOSM – Africa. |
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| Operation Aslan ADF contribution to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) |
23 Sep 2011 - 31 Oct 2023 | 30 days | N/A |
Special OperationsDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S230) of 29 Jun 2001 (PDF, 124.72 KB) Declaration and Determination Amendments of 16 Oct 2019 (PDF, 78.21 KB) |
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| For service on special operations | 14 Feb 1975 - 31 Oct 2019 (by CDF's specification | CDF determination | CDF determination |
Sudan |
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| Operation Azure United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMISUD) |
10 Apr 2005 - 31 Dec 2011 | 30 days | N/A |
| Operation Hedgerow The Australian Defence Force contribution to the Unite Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) |
28 Jul 2008 - 21 Jun 2011 | 30 days | N/A |
Timor-Leste |
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| Operation Astute (6) ADF commitment to bring security, peace and confidence to Timor-Leste that commenced on 12 May 2006 |
12 May 2006 - 19 Apr 2008 | Complete 7 days/sorties in aggregate in the period commencing 12 May 06 and ending on or before 16 Jun 06 or 30 days/sorties in aggregate commencing on or after 10 Jun 06 | N/A |
| Defence Cooperation Program activities (6) | 12 May 2006 - 19 Apr 2008 | 30 days/30 sorties | N/A |
| Operation Citadel (6) United Nations Mission of Support in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL/UNMIT) |
12 May 2006 - 26 Jun 2008 | 30 days/30 sorties | N/A |
| Operation Spire (6) United Nations Mission of Support in Timor (UNOTIL/UNMIT) |
12 May 2006 - 26 Jun 2008 | 30 days/30 sorties | N/A |
| Operation Chiron (6) ADF contribution to the UN Special Political Mission to Timor-Leste (UNOTIL/UNMIT) |
12 May 2006 - 26 Jun 2008 | 30 days/30 sorties | N/A |
| Operation Tower ADF contribution to the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste |
25 Aug 2006 - 12 Dec 2012 | 30 days/30 sorties | - |
UgandaDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette GN26) of 12 Jul 1989 (PDF, 151.79 KB) |
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| Service with the Commonwealth Military Training Team in Uganda | 18 Mar 1982 - 24 Mar 1984 | 90 days | N/A |
West SaharaDeclaration and Determinations (Gazette S298) of 21 Oct 1991 (PDF, 199.37 KB) |
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| Service with ADF activities in Western Sahara | 5 Sep 1991 - 15 Dec 2012 | 30 days | N/A |
| (1) The period 20 Oct 1991 to 7 Oct 1993 was upgraded to the Australian Active Service Medal (Gazette S102) of 27 March 2001. (2) A person is not eligible for an award of the Clasp 'CT/SR' for service during the same period in which the Australian Service Medal with Clasp 'Special Ops' has been awarded. (3) See Timor Leste for activities after 11 May 2006. (4) A person is not eligible for an award of this Medal if a separate award of Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp Kashmir has been awarded. (5) The period to 12 Jul 2006 to 14 Aug 2006 within the specified area of Southern Lebanon. (6) See East Timor for activities before 12 May 06 |
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Source documents
Letters Patent and Regulations (Gazette S336) of 2 November 1988 (PDF, 175.24 KB)
Australian Service Medal (Declared Operation) Amendment 2023 (PDF, 1.52 MB)