Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal

The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal is an independent statutory body established under the Defence Act to consider Defence honours and awards matters. 

Individuals are able to apply to the Tribunal for an independent review of a decision of the Department of Defence regarding eligibility for a defence honour, defence award or a foreign award. 

The Government is also able to refer general eligibility issues to the Tribunal for inquiry and recommendation.

For enquiries about appealing a refusal by Defence regarding medallic entitlement, please complete an enquiry form or application for review.

For general enquiries about honours and awards, please contact the Directorate of Honours and Awards in the Department of Defence through its toll-free number 1800 333 362 or by email at honours.awards@defence.gov.au.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS

Due to limitations associated with the size of venues, prior registration with the Tribunal Secretariat is necessary in order to attend public hearings of the Tribunal.

DATE
MATTER
HEARING LOCATION

RECENT TRIBUNAL DECISIONS

Not all applications to the Tribunal result in it holding a hearing or completing a written decision. Around half of the applications submitted to the Tribunal in the last two years have been settled in the applicant’s favour, without the matter being heard or decided upon. This has usually been the result of a reassessment of the case by Defence.

Hawkins and the Department of Defence re Townsend [2025] DHAAT 5
Commendation for Distinguished Service

McKenzie and the Department of Defence [2025] DHAAT 4
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Francis and the Department of Defence [2025] DHAAT 3
Australian Defence Medal

Hines and the Department of Defence [2025] DHAAT 2
Australian Service Medal with Clasp 'MIDDLE EAST'

Gordon and the Department of Defence [2025] DHAAT 1
Conspicuous Service Medal