Honours and awards

The AFP Bravery Medal recognises individuals who have performed in the discharge of their duty, an act of bravery of a high order and placed themselves at substantial risk of personal injury.

Design

The medal is antique silver featuring the Federation Star, Australian Coat-of-Arms and St Edward’s Crown. The reverse has a wreath of mimosa. The ribbon is maroon, blue and white.

The Commissioner’s Group Citation for Bravery recognises a group of individuals who in the course of their duty or, whilst on service as an employee or, attached to the AFP, and performed an act of bravery of high order. They will have performed an act of bravery by saving or protecting another person, persons or property in a place of danger. In doing so they risked significant personal injury or their own life. Each individual receives an award.

If an individual is awarded the citation again, a silver numeral is awarded.

Design

The medal has maroon, blue and white striped ribbon in an antique silver frame.

The AFP Commissioner’s Medal for Excellence recognises individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in the pursuit of our core business outcomes and encompassing corporate values to the highest level.

Design

The medal is antique bronze with an Indigenous image of the AFP platypus. The reverse has a wreath of laurel leaves. The ribbon has stripes of dark blue, white, and light blue.

The Commissioner’s Medal for Innovation recognises individuals for excellence in innovation, aligning closely with our values and mission.

Design

The medal is antique bronze medal with an indigenous image of the AFP platypus symbol. The reverse has a wreath of laurel leaves. The ribbon has stripes of dark blue, white and light blue.

The Commissioner’s Group Citation for Innovation recognises groups who have demonstrated outstanding innovation in the pursuit of our core business outcomes.

Design

The medal has dark blue, white and light blue striped ribbon in an antique bronze frame.

Commissioner’s Medal for Conspicuous Conduct recognises groups of individuals who have collectively demonstrated outstanding dedication to duty in circumstances demanding tenacity of a high order.

Design

The medal is antique silver medal featuring the AFP platypus symbol and Federation Star. The reverse has a wreath of laurel leaves. The ribbon is dark blue with white stripes.

The Commissioner’s Group Citation for Conspicuous Conduct recognises a group of individuals who have demonstrated a collective outstanding dedication to duty in circumstances demanding tenacity of a high order. Each individual receives an award.

If an individual is awarded the citation again, a silver numeral is awarded.

Design

The medal has dark blue and white striped ribbon in a silver coloured frame.

The Commissioner’s Commendation for Hazardous Service recognises individuals for devotion to duty while operating in hazardous circumstances, aligning closely with our values and mission.

Design

The medal is a drop ribbon with an antique silver the AFP platypus attached. The reverse has an attachment brooch at the top. The ribbon has stripes of dark blue, white, red and yellow.

The Commissioner’s Group Citation for Hazardous Service recognises groups of individuals for devotion to duty overseas while operating in hazardous circumstances, aligning closely with our values and mission. Each individual receives an award.

If an individual is awarded the citation again, a silver numeral is awarded.

Design

The medal has stripes of blue, red, yellow and white ribbon in a silver coloured metal frame.

The Commissioner’s Certificate recognises groups of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to duty in circumstances demanding tenacity of a high order.

The AFP Welfare Services Medal recognises individuals who have provided a significant contribution to the welfare of and assistance to colleagues. Multiple medals can be awarded in a calendar year.

Design

The medal is antique silver with 2 cupped hands supporting the AFP badge. It also includes the St Edward’s Crown. The reverse has a wreath of wattle. The ribbon has stripes of purple, white and light blue.

The AFP Partnership Medal recognises individuals of other agencies who have provided a significant contribution to our operations.

Design

The medal has the AFP platypus, Southern Cross and St Edward’s Crown. The reverse has a wreath of wattle. The ribbon has Sillitoe tartan and stripes of blue, green and yellow.

The AFP Partnership Group Citation recognises individuals of other agencies who have provided a significant contribution to our operations.

Design

The medal has Sillitoe tartan and blue, green and yellow striped ribbon in an antique bronze frame.

The AFP Service Medal recognises individuals who have completed a cumulative total of 10 years qualifying service with:

• the AFP from 19 October 1979; or
• both the AFP and the Australian Protective Service, if the employee was serving on 1 July 2004.

At 20-years of service, an antique bronze clasp is awarded. Further clasps are awarded for 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service.

Design

The medal has the AFP platypus symbol, St Edward’s Crown, Roman numeral X, and the Federation Star. The reverse has wreath of wattle. The ribbon has a stripes of blue, white and dark blue.

The AFP Operations Medal recognises individuals in a prescribed operation or activity deemed significant by the AFP Commissioner.

This medal is awarded with a clasp with the name of the relevant operation or activity. Additional clasps are attached to the ribbon in in date order.

Design

The medal has the AFP platypus, St Edward’s Crown, and the Federation Star. The reverse has a wreath of wattle. The ribbon has stripes of blue, white, blue/grey, dark blue and gold.

The AFP Protection Medal recognises individuals with 10 years of diligent service as a protective service officer, police officer or unsworn AFP employee working in a protection capability since the amalgamation of the Australian Protective Service in 2004.

Service may be cumulative and across more than one protection function. A clasp is awarded at 20 years of service and every 5 years after.

Design

The medal has the AFP platypus, St Edward’s Crown, Roman numeral X, and the Federation Star. The reverse has a wreath of wattle. The ribbon has stripes of blue, white, blue/grey, dark blue and gold.

The Operation IRONSIDE Citation awards individuals who contributed prior to the resolution of the operation on 8 June 2021, or who were on duty on that date.

Design

The medal has black and white Sillitoe tartan, and red, grey and pale blue striped ribbon in a silver coloured metal frame.

The Operation PROTECT Citation awards individuals for service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic between 13 March 2020 and 30 November 2022.

Design

The medal has red, white, green, black, orange and dark blue striped ribbon in a bronze coloured metal frame.

The AFP 40^th Anniversary Citation awards individuals who were serving between 19 October 2019 and 18 October 2020. Commemorating our 40^th anniversary, it celebrates the impact, achievements and successes of the AFP since it began in October 1979.

This citation is superseded by any future AFP anniversary citations.

Design

The medal has light blue, dark blue white and red striped ribbon in a silver coloured metal frame.

The Commissioner’s Commendation for Brave Conduct was awarded to individuals who performed in the discharge of their duty an act of bravery of a high order and placed themselves at substantial risk of personal injury.

It was retired in 2011 after the introduction of the AFP Bravery Medal.

The Commissioner’s Commendation for Conspicuous Conduct was awarded to individuals who demonstrated outstanding dedication to duty in circumstances demanding tenacity of a high order.

The award was retired in 2017 after the introduction of the Commissioner’s Medal for Conspicuous Conduct.

The Commissioner’s Commendation for Excellence in Overseas Service was awarded to individuals who displayed excellence in overseas service while undertaking core business and adhering to the corporate values of the AFP.

The award was retired in 2018.

The Commissioner’s Group Citation for Excellence in Overseas Service was awarded to groups of individuals for the display of collective excellence in overseas service while undertaking core business and adhering to the corporate values of the AFP.

The award was retired in 2018.

- was awarded to individuals for devotion to duty in overseas service while operating in hazardous circumstances and/or environments while undertaking core business and adhering to the corporate values of the AFP.

The award was retired in 2018. It was replaced with the Commissioner's Commendation for Hazardous Service to encompass all hazardous service, not just overseas.

The Commissioner’s Group Citation for Hazardous Overseas Service was awarded to groups of individuals for the collective display of excellence in overseas service while undertaking core business and adhering to the corporate values of the AFP.

The award was retired in 2018 and replaced with the Commissioner's Group Citation for Hazardous Service to encompass all hazardous service, not just overseas.

The Australian Protective Service Medal was awarded to former Australian Protective Service (APS) employees who gave a cumulative total of 10 years qualifying service from 20 October 1984 to 30 June 2004.

Service from 1 July 2004 in a protective role is now recognised by the AFP Protection Medal.

The ACT Community Protection Medal recognises individuals for sustained, distinguished or outstanding service to the ACT community through involvement in ACT Emergency Services.

The ACT Chief Police Officer calls for nominations annually.

Design

The medal is bronze and features the supporters and shield from the arms of Canberra. The ribbon has stripes of white, dark blue and yellow.

The ACT Emergency Medal recognises employees of the AFP, ACT Fire Brigade, ACT Ambulance Service, ACT State Emergency Service and New South Wales Police Force for:

• behaviours or actions beyond normal community expectations
• a substantial contribution to protect of life, property or the environment of the ACT.

It recognises the contribution and commitment of those personnel who have provided service in response to a declared emergency event in the ACT.

Current AFP employees don’t need to apply. This medal is automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met.

Design

The medal is bronze with the royal bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa), surrounded by wind and a flame. The ribbon has stripes of red, yellow and blue.

The ACT Community Policing Medal recognises ACT Policing members for 10 years cumulative and diligent service to the ACT community from 6 December 1988. It celebrates the often unrecognised achievements and dedication of the police who protect the community and help people in times of distress or trauma.

Clasps are also issued at 20 and 30 years of service to the ACT.

Nominations

The application processes for this award is:

• former AFP members - complete the National and AFP Service Awards application form and send it by email to honours-awards@afp.gov.au.
• current AFP members - awards are automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met. No need to apply.

  

The Public Service Medal recognises Australian public servants who have consistently performed demanding jobs to the highest standards and made a major contribution to the Australian community. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal PSM.

The Australian Police Medal recognises members of Australian police forces for significant career achievements, upholding the values of policing and displaying continued dedication to their role. It is the highest police honour in the Australian honours system. Recipients can use the post-nominal APM.

The Australian Intelligence Medal recognises an individual who, as a member of the National Intelligence Community, has given distinguished service that directly contributed to national intelligence priorities, requirements or capabilities. Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal AIM.

The Police Overseas Service Medal recognises employees of Australian police forces for service in international peacekeeping operations. The medal includes a clasp to denote the area of prescribed service.

Nominations

The application processes for this medal is:

• former AFP members - complete the National and AFP Service Awards application form and send it by email to honours-awards@afp.gov.au.
• current AFP members - medal is automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met. No need to apply.

  

The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal recognises individuals for humanitarian service overseas, particularly those working in dangerous environments or conditions or during a humanitarian crisis. The medal includes a clasp to denote the area of prescribed service.

Nominations

The application processes for this medal is:

• former AFP employees - complete the National and AFP Service Awards application form and send it by email to honours-awards@afp.gov.au.
• current AFP employees - medal is automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met. No need to apply.

• 

The National Emergency Medal recognises individuals who rendered sustained or significant service during nationally significant emergencies in Australia. The medal includes a clasp to denote service in response to a declared nationally significant emergency.

Nominations

The application processes for this medal is:

• former AFP employees - complete the National and AFP Service Awards application form and send it by email to honours-awards@afp.gov.au.
• current AFP employees - medal is automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met. No need to apply.

  

The National Police Service Medal recognises individuals who have provided 15 years ethical and diligent service as a police officer of an Australian police force.

They must have been serving on or after 14 February 1975. It can be awarded to police officers who have served less than 15 years if that service was terminated due to the member’s death, or to an impairment related to the discharge of their duties.

Nominations

The application processes for this medal is:

• former AFP members - complete the National and AFP Service Awards application form and send it by email to honours-awards@afp.gov.au.
• current AFP members - medal is automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met. No need to apply.

  

The National Medal recognises individuals of recognised government and voluntary organisations for long and diligent service, risking their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law or in times of emergency or natural disaster.

Clasps are awarded for each subsequent 10 years of diligent and cumulative service. Recipients can have qualifying time in more than one service.

Nominations

The application processes for this medal is:

• former AFP members - complete the National and AFP Service Awards application form and send it by email to honours-awards@afp.gov.au.
• current AFP members - medal is automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met. No need to apply.

  

The United Nations Medal recognises international members for their service in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts and disaster relief.

It was first awarded during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Since 1955, additional United Nations Medals have been awarded for participation in United Nations missions around the world.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force International Law Enforcement Cooperation Medal recognises employees of international police forces, who provide direct support to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in the development of law enforcement initiatives.

It also recognises the sacrifice of these individuals who have been separated from their loved ones and put their safety at risk in service to the country and people of the Solomon Islands.

Individuals must have served a cumulative period equal to or greater than 180 days as a member of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands Participating Police Force between 24 July 2003 and 30 June 2017. Nominees will need to have displayed diligent service.

Former AFP employees who believe they are eligible and haven't received the award should contact our Honours and Awards team by email honours-awards@afp.gov.au.

Current AFP employees don’t need to apply. This medal is automatically processed if all eligibility criteria are met.

The Australia Day Achievement Medallion recognises Australian government individuals for their contribution to Australia and their outstanding performance.

Presented in January each year, award recipient selection is at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant Australian Government department or agency.

Design

The pewter toned medallion features a stylised image of Australia.