The Public Service Medal (PSM) is a civil decoration awarded to Australian public servants (at all levels) for outstanding service. The PSM was introduced in 1989 and replaced the
Imperial Service Order discontinued in Australia in 1975, supplementing the
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...
introduced that same year. Recipients of the Public Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "PSM".
The medal is awarded twice each year by the
Governor-General of Australia, on the nomination of the responsible Minister in each state or territory, and at the
federal level.
The total number of awards made each year must not exceed 100, further broken down into a quota for each government
public service
A public service or service of general (economic) interest is any service intended to address the needs of aggregate members of a community, whether provided directly by a public sector agency, via public financing available to private busin ...
.
Description
* The Public Service Medal is a circular nickel-silver medal ensigned with a
Federation Star. The obverse shows an inner circle with four
planetary gears spaced equally around a
sun gear. It is surrounded by the words 'Public Service'. An outer circle shows 36 human figures symbolising a range of occupations and activities.
* The reverse displays a wreath of
mimosa surrounding the inscription 'For Outstanding Service'.
* The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon features the
national colours of green and gold in a vertical striped pattern.
See also
*
Australian Honours Order of Precedence
References
{{Australian Honours System
Civil awards and decorations of Australia
Awards established in 1989
1989 establishments in Australia
Australian Public Service
Long and Meritorious Service Medals of Britain and the Commonwealth