Foreign Awards
Accepting a foreign award
Australian citizens may accept and wear foreign awards when a government with which Australia maintains diplomatic relations makes an offer.
Australians may also accept and wear foreign awards when an offer is made by an agency of the United Nations or by other international organisations recognised diplomatically by Australia.
An offer is usually made through diplomatic channels to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Permission for formal acceptance and wearing of foreign awards is given by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister or the Minister responsible for Australian honours.
Guidelines
Foreign awards are subject to the Guidelines Concerning the Acceptance and Wearing of Foreign Honours and Awards by Australians.
The most recent Australian Guidelines were gazetted on 22 December 1997.
Australian Defence Force or Australian Federal Police personnel should consult their respective services for advice on accepting and wearing foreign awards.
During the Vietnam War, some Australian Defence Force members were offered US, South Vietnamese and/or Cambodian military awards for acts of gallantry or particular service supporting the allied war effort. Examples of these awards include the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Cambodian National Defence Medal (with Silver or Bronze Star), and the US Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star and Legion of Merit. At the time Australian military personnel could not officially accept or wear foreign honours and awards.
The Australian Government accepted a recommendation of the Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence Related Awards in 1994, and now allows acceptance and wearing of these honours, but only where suitable documentary evidence of the offer of the award is available. Under the current guidelines the government may seek the Governor-General’s approval of applications to accept and wear these honours.
Downloads and application forms
- Guidelines Concerning the Acceptance and Wearing of Foreign Honours and Awards by Australians - RTF 17KB | PDF 35KB
- USA Awards to Australian Defence Force Personnel form - WORD 86KB | PDF 129KB
- USA Awards to Australian Defence Force Guide for Applicants - WORD 41KB | PDF 52KB
- South Vietnam/Cambodian Awards to Australian Defence Force Personnel form (includes guide for applicants) - WORD 97KB | PDF 139KB