The Conspicuous Service Medal was introduced in 1989 to recognise meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations.

The medal is nickel-silver with the obverse having a central device of the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The reverse has a horizontal panel for recipient details over a design of fluted rays.

The ribbon has alternating narrow diagonal stripes of bush green and sandy gold.

A further award is denoted by a nickel-silver bar with a superimposed central replica of the Medal flanked by laurel leaves. When the ribbon is worn alone, the award of a bar is indicated by the addition of a ribbon bar emblem in the form of the Medal.

Recipients of the medal are entitled to the post-nominal letters ‘CSM’. Recipients of a bar add ‘and Bar’ to the post-nominal.

Read more:

Australian Conspicuous Service Decorations - Ministerial Determination of 25 September 1997 (PDF, 21.34 KB)