The Conspicuous Service Cross and Conspicuous Service Medal were introduced in 1989. These Conspicuous Service Awards were introduced as it was recognised there was a need to have a series of awards to acknowledge outstanding achievement and performance of duty in non-warlike circumstances. Up until 1989, there had been no option for such recognition other than using awards within the Order of Australia.
Conspicuous Service Awards are not restricted by rank, with all ranks able to be nominated.
With the ceasing of the Imperial system there was no award to provide specific recognition for the outstanding performance of nursing duties. This had previously been recognised by the two grades of the Royal Red Cross. The Nursing Service Cross was introduced in 1989 to provide an Australian award to recognise outstanding devotion to duty in the field of military nursing by Australian nursing personnel. While the Nursing Service Cross has ceased being issued since 2007, today, outstanding nursing performance or achievement within Defence is recognised by other operational or non-operational awards with the Australian Honours and Awards system.
Conspicuous Service Decorations | Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (gg.gov.au)