Awarded for supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.  Only one person in the world was ever awarded a second VC.

Awarded for conspicuous courage in extreme peril. 

For Services to the Crown of United Kingdom or the nation of Great Britain.  Awardees are called Knight Companions (Dame Comp.)

For services to Scotland and to the Crown.  Called Knight or Lady of the Thistle.

For eminent service in the military, civil, arts and sciences to the Crown of Great Britain

Highest Australian Order granted only between 1976 and 1986.  Women are called Dame.

Highest Victoria Order promoted from previous Order holders.  Awarded for personal services to the Royal family.

Highest Order granted after 1986.  For supreme devotion to duty and Australia and her people.

For personal services to the Royal Family.  Women are called Dame Commander.

For extreme devotion to duty and Australia and her people.  Promoted from Member.

For personal services to the Royal Family.  Promoted from LVO.

Awarded for great acts of heroism or gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

Awarded for acts of courage in great peril.

For distinguished command and leadership in the presence of the enemy.

For great devotion to duty and Australia and her people.

For personal services to the Royal Family.  Promoted from MVO.

For personal services to the Crown.

For outstanding achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations.

For outstanding performance of Defence Nursing Personal in war or non-warlike situations.

Awarded for acts of Gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

Awarded for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

Awarded for distinguished leadership in action.

Awarded for outstanding performance of government employees and service personal.

Awarded for distinguished service of police officers.

Awarded for distinguished service of full-time or volunteer firefighters.

Awarded for distinguished service of civilian ambulance workers.

Awarded for outstanding performance of EMS workers related to an accident, training and education.

Awarded for devotion to Australia and her culture.

Awarded for meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations.

Awarded for outstanding Antarctic expeditions.  Bars are added with year of award on each.

Awarded for services for the Crown.

Awarded for acts of gallantry worthy of recognition.

Awarded for acts of bravery worthy of recognition.

Awarded for distinguished performance of duties in war-like situations.

Awarded for warlike service in:

Korea/Malaya/Malaysia/ or Vietnam

Bar awarded for:

30 days North Ireland, Dhofar (1969-1976), Lebanon (1983-1984), Mine Clearance, Gulf (1986-1989), Kuwait (1991), N. Iraq & S. Turkey (1991), Air Operations Iraq

Awarded for service in Vietnam between 1964 and 1973.

Awarded for service in support of Vietnam operations which did not qualify under Vietnam Medal.

Awarded for 1 day service in war-like situations which no other medal qualifies:

Kuwait/East Timor

Awarded for 30 days service under INTERFET

Awarded for peacekeeping in non-warlike situations in which no other medal has been issued.

Awarded for peacekeeping in non-warlike situations, even if UN medals are issued:

Uganda, Kuwait, Persian Gulf, Nambia, Vietnam, Sinai, Kashmir, Peshawar, Iran-Iraq

Awarded for 30 days during 1979-1980 service in Rhodesia with UK troops.

Awarded to police officers serving overseas in peacekeeping.  This is with UN medal as well.  Bars include:

Cyprus, Cambodia, Mozambique, Somalia, Haiti, Bougainville, East Timor, Afghanistan

Awarded to people or groups working in humanitarian cause in warlike situations.

Awarded to some military, police and those dedicated to bettering the nation.  Anyone with an Order or bravery award by '77 receive one automatically.

Awarded to some military, police and those dedicated to bettering the nation.  Anyone with an Order or bravery award or the 25th Jubilee, by '02 receive one automatically.

For services to Australian sport.

Awarded for 15 years Reg Force service.

Awarded to 15 years service as a Reserve Officer.

Awarded for 15 years service as an NCO in the Reserves.

Awarded for 15 years service in the police, firefighters, EMS and corrections.

Awarded in yearly shooting competition to one person of each of the services.