The National Emergency Medal is awarded to persons who rendered sustained or significant service during nationally-significant emergencies in Australia.
The below emergencies have been declared nationally-significant for the purposes of the National Emergency Medal:
- Bushfires 2019-20
- North Queensland Floods 2019
- Tropical Cyclone Debbie 2017
- Queensland Floods 2010-11 and Cyclone Yasi
- Victorian Bushfires 2009
The National Emergency Medal Regulations 2011 were approved by Queen Elizabeth II in October 2011. The National Emergency Medal is administered by the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat at Government House who provides secretariat support to the National Emergency Medal Committee. Applications for sustained or significant service may come from relevant organisations or from members of the community.
The Governor-General may approve an award for:
- sustained service, on the recommendation of the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat.
- significant service, on the recommendation of the National Emergency Medal Committee.
Sustained service is awarded to those who have rendered sustained service in the declared nationally-significant emergency for the purpose of the Medal. The criteria for sustained service stipulates what constitutes ‘sustained service’ for each emergency and is determined by the National Emergency Medal Committee, in considering advice from relevant organisations and jurisdictions.
Significant service is awarded to those who rendered significant service in the nationally-significant emergency. The significant service criteria stipulates that the service must be extraordinary. The Committee considers each nomination on a case-by-case basis before making a recommendation to the Governor-General. Applicants do not need to meet the sustained service criteria to be eligible to apply for significant service (e.g. minimum duration of service, eligible dates of service).
Page last updated: Tuesday, 4 June 2024 4:02:07 PM