Certificates of Appreciation

Certificates of Appreciation are a way of expressing the nation’s thanks to those who have made a contribution towards Australia’s efforts in war, conflicts and peace operations.  The contributions can be as a civilian or as a member of the armed forces.  For the Second World War, the contribution may have been in Australia or overseas.  For all other conflicts the contribution must have been given overseas in the country in which the conflict occurred. 

Certificates are available for service in:

  • Second World War, for service in the Australian armed forces or on the home front
  • British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Japan)
  • Korean War
  • Malayan Emergency
  • Indonesian Confrontation
  • Vietnam War
  • Gulf War
  • Iraq War
  • Peace Operations

Who can apply?

A person who made a contribution, either in the Defence forces or as a civilian, may request a certificate in respect of his or her service, or a family member or friend may nominate a person.  Next of kin may nominate a deceased family member.  Certificates of Appreciation are not available for service in the Boer War or the First World War.

Persons who served in the Defence Reserve Forces or National Service may apply for a Certificate of Appreciation provided that they served in a war or conflict for which a certificate is available.

Application forms should be completed and forwarded, with supporting evidence of service, to the electorate office of the applicant’s Federal Member of Parliament.

Any civilian service on the home front, which assisted the Australian effort in the Second World War, qualifies for a Certificate of Appreciation.

For more information and applicant guidelines please see:

Evidence requirements

Evidence of contributions which are to be provided in support of an application may include:

  • Service record showing service during the relevant period.
  • Medals awarded for service in the conflicts for which a certificate is sought (or photographs of these medals) inscribed with the applicant’s name and service number on the rim.
  • Copy of an entry from these nominal rolls:
    • Second World War Nominal Roll
    • Korean War Nominal Roll
    • Vietnam War Nominal Roll.
  • Any other relevant documentation or evidence which clearly validates the claim or, if no evidence is available, a statutory declaration attesting to the eligible service may be submitted. 

Issue

The applicant’s Member of Parliament assesses the person’s eligibility and, when satisfied, presents the certificate to the person concerned, or the family in the case of a deceased person.