In November 2008, the Australian Government formally accepted an offer from the former President of Timor-Leste for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to wear the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal (TLSM).
The medal was established to recognise those men and women who provided service in stability and peace operations in Timor-Leste from 1 May 2006.
The Governor-General approved approximately 7000 ADF members to receive and wear the medal.
The Government of Timor-Leste ceased awarding the TLSM at the end of 2012. No further applications were considered from 2013 onwards.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the medal were as follows:
- Members qualify having served a minimum of 180 days continuous or accrued service in East Timor from 1 May 2006.
- Nominations will be considered for personnel that have served a minimum of 120 days from 1 May 2006.
- Nominations will be considered for personnel who served with a start date in May or June 2006 for a period at least 90 days.
- The President of the Republic may consider extraordinary cases outside the above time periods.
Supply of medals and replacements
The TLSM is a foreign award supplied by the Government of Timor-Leste.
Defence Honours & Awards does not assess for this award and is not the awarding authority. Replacement medals are not issued by Defence. When a foreign award that has been approved for wearing by Defence is lost or stolen, members can obtain a replica from a medals dealer at their own expense.
To apply for approval to accept and wear foreign awards, submit an application with a certified true copy of the award certificate.