Public Service Medal (Australia)

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Public Service Medal
Medal and ribbon
Awarded by Australia
Type	Medal
Eligibility	Employees of the Australian Government and state, territory and local government employees
Awarded for	Outstanding Service
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	18 October 1989
Total awarded	1401 at 30 June 2006
Precedence
Next (higher)	Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Next (lower)	Australian Police Medal (APM)

The Public Service Medal (PSM) is a civil decoration awarded to personnel of all levels of the Australian Public Service for outstanding service. The PSM was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial awards discontinued in 1975, supplementing the Order of Australia introduced that same year. Recipients of the Public Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "PSM". Awards are made by the Governor-General, 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.

[edit] 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.