| National Medal | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:National_Medal_(Australia).png) &sq=&lang=&file=File:National_Medal_(Australia)_ribbon.png){kind=small} Obverse of medal and ribbon | |
| Type | Long service medal |
| Awarded for | A minimum of 15 years "eligible service", including an assessment of good conduct |
| Presented by | Australia |
| Eligibility | Operational members of specified organisations which serve or protect the community at hazard to themselves, including police, fire, ambulance, corrective services, emergency services and voluntary search and rescue services |
| Clasps | Awarded for each additional period of 10 years service |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 14 February 1975 |
| Total | 283,763 (30 June 2023[update])[1] |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:National_Medal_with_rosette.png){kind=small} – 25 years&sq=&lang=&file=File:National_Medal_with_rosette_x2.png){kind=small} – 35 years&sq=&lang=&file=File:National_Medal_with_rosette_x3.png){kind=small} – 45 yearsRibbon with Rosette(s) | |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Defence Long Service Medal[2] |
| Next (lower) | Australian Defence Medal[2] |
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2023) |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Question_book-new.svg){kind=small} | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (April 2023) |
The National Medal is an Australian award given for long service by operational members of specified eligible organisations. It was introduced in 1975, as an original component of the new Australian honours system, and replaced a range of medals available to military and civilian uniformed services for long service and good conduct. The eligible groups have in common that their members serve or protect the community at the risk of death, injury or trauma, hence it is only available to members of the eligible organisations who are operationally deployed. In the case of corrective services, eligibility is restricted to officers with custodial duties.
- ^ Governor-General Annual Report 2022-23 (PDF). Governor General of Australia. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ a b "The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). It's an Honour. Australian Government. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2013.