The "Australian Defence Medal" has now been struck and people are out there wearing it. To get an application form and information on the net the web address is: www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpe_site/honours_awards/. If you already have the Long Service Medal it doesn't require stat dec's and the like. Or you can download the application file from this website click here to view or right click & save as.
 

24 October 05 -

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL DESIGN      (Click on photo to enlarge)

General – The Australian Defence Medal is a circular cupro nickel medal 38 millimetres in diameter with a thickness of 3 millimetres. A rim, one millimetre thick surrounds the outer edge of the flan. The medal is suspended by a 32 millimetre riband passed through a sealed cupro nickel ring, 1.6 millimetres thick with an inside diameter of 12 millimetres. The riband is 32 millimetres wide consisting of the colours black, white and red.
Obverse – A stylised version of Commonwealth Coat of Arms is used. The top outer edge is inscribed with the words ‘THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL’.
Reverse – the words ‘FOR SERVICE’ lie central to the flan surrounded by a wreath of wattle with the top edge of the flan ensigned with St Edward’s Crown.

22 September 05 - The following is a release from the Ministers office. Australian Defence Medal.

The Government is still considering the eligibility criteria and regulations for the ADM. There has been wide consultation with the Service Chiefs, and the ex-Service community, to ensure that all the issues and ideas raised have been carefully considered. However, there are some outstanding complexities to be worked through before all the eligibility criteria and associated regulations are finalised.

Eligibility for the ADM will be extended to ex-Servicemen and women who have honourably served but, due to the Defence Force service and enlistment policies of the time, were unable to serve the required six years; or have been severely disabled or have died in the course of duty, thus rendering them unable to serve the required six years.

The six year eligibility criterion was specifically chosen to recognise Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who had served for a period that demonstrates a real commitment and contribution to the ADF over and above the three or four year enlistment period applicable to the majority of current ADF members. This service can include periods of service, which in aggregate totals to six years.

The full details will be widely publicised in the media after the final regulations and determinations required to establish the ADM have been approved.
I hope this information will keep you informed. Without putting a specific date on the table I expect an announcement in the near future and the medal to be available early/mid next year.

9 September 05 - MEDAL TO RECOGNISE SERVICE IN DEFENCE

The following is the reply from The Directorate of Honours and Awards received by Bob Durbin regarding an enquiry as to availability of the above medal:-

"The establishment of the Australian Defence Medal is still at a developmental stage.

Detailed eligibility criteria is still being developed and has not yet been approved by the Prime Minister or the Governor General. These criteria need to be finalised prior to formal approval of the medal's regulations and design by Her Majesty The Queen. Accordingly, DHA cannot release any details as to the draft eligibility criteria.

Full details of eligibility and the medal's design will be widely promulgated once approved by The Queen. Until this occurs, DHA also is not in a position to accept applications.

Should you require any further information please contact the Directorate of Honours and Awards on 1800 111321"

The above information is from the Parramatta RSL.